Terry LeBlanc Offers Five Tips for Managing A Team
Managing a team can be difficult. So when you first step into the role of management, you have to learn to take control and inspire your team. With any new job, this transition comes with a learning curve. Terry LeBlanc is a football coach with over 35 years of professional coaching experience, so he is extremely knowledgeable of the best ways to manage teams. Below, Terry offers his top five tips for managing a team to help you get past the learning curve and start leading efficiently.
Talk It Out
Communication is the key to any healthy relationship and is important for keeping your team in the loop about objectives, goals, and deadlines. Maintaining an open line of communication allows you to be honest with your team, but also for them to be honest with you. Take time to listen to your team members; find out what their aspirations are, gather ideas an identify potential strengths and weaknesses. Terry LeBlanc says that being open-minded to your team’s feedback encourages open communication and will foster further innovation and ideas in the future.
Celebrate Victories
Everyone likes being applauded for a job well done, so don’t forget to acknowledge your team’s efforts when they exceed expectations. Criticism comes in many forms, and can actually hinder productivity when it is not balanced by re-enforcement. As an experienced coach, Terry LeBlanc explains that an excellent way to raise team morale is to ensure that you congratulate team members in a public setting, showcasing to other team members what the standard for excellence is.
Set an Example
The saying should really be “Do as I say, and as I do”. If you want to encourage your employees to work harder and become more detail-oriented, you need to work harder and become more detail-oriented. If you have high expectations from your team, be sure to have the same expectations of yourself. In times of stress and trouble, your team will look to you for guidance; so ensure that you are able to keep a level head and inspire them to maintain a positive mindset.
Cater to Individual Needs
Never go with a ‘one size fits all’ mentality when it comes to your team. Everyone on a team has a different set of strengths and weaknesses, and it is your job as a manager to be able to deal with them on a case-by-case basis. If someone is particularly weak in one area, it is important not to compare them to the rest of the team. Terry LeBlanc enforces that you should instead focus on what this person is good at and try to encourage them in the areas in which they succeed.
Delegate Appropriately
One of the biggest mistakes that a leader can make when managing a team is not delegating. Being able to delegate tasks to a team makes you more efficient at your job, and empowers them through a sense of trust. Micromanagement is one of the most degrading and hindering qualities a manager can have. Remember, everyone is a part of the team for a reason, so remember to trust them to fulfill their role.
Patience is Key
Lastly, Terry LeBlanc reminds aspiring coaches and managers to be patient. Building trustworthy relationships with people on your team is something that will take time; but approaching every hiccup, success and learning curve with positivity and love will pave the road to success for both you and your team.
Final Words
Managing any type of team can be difficult. Having the responsibility to coordinate and coach a group of people always comes with its drawbacks — personalities sometimes clash and tensions can run high. However, as Terry LeBlanc says, there is no greater accomplishment than seeing your hard work pay off and your team coming together to prosper. By following his advice provided above, you are on your way to managing your own winning team.
