...Put Respect over Friendship – as team leader you want their respect and trust, not to be one of the crowd. If you were one of the team, and are now the leader - do this (sorry, it's longer than usual)
This is one of the most challenging areas of leadership, and one that requires specific attitude, behaviour and actions.
You are now the manager, the leader, and it is you that will determine if this is going to work – not them. They will have their thoughts, their jealousies, and their whispers as to how and why you were chosen; it is up to you to overcome these through what you say, and more importantly, what you do.
Follow this sequence of events and you will succeed:
It is a given that the team has a clear vision and values.
Identify anyone in the team who either applied for the role you now have, or considers themselves worthy of that role. Have a relaxed one-to-one with them and ask them how they are feeling. Ask them open questions and let them talk; listen and empathise. Never say that you did not want the position (why did you accept it then?) or imply that they deserved it more. Just listen and acknowledge any feelings, and close by thanking them for their openness and thoughts, and by saying that while some things are bound to change – socialising etc. – you will still be a team, built on mutual respect and trust. Then thank them for their help in making sure this will be a success. Give them a standard that you expect of them for them to live up to.
Do the same with the single most powerful opinion-former in the team, the person everyone refers to and looks up to because of their time of service or personality. Again, do not make it obvious you are singling them out – add this chat on to a normal work discussion, perhaps.
If you have a team of under say 20, it is worth doing the above with everyone, in apparent random order but actually doing 1 and 2 first. Then hold an open forum, in which you tell them you will trust them 100%, while you seek to earn their trust as their leader. Share your style that you will adopt, and make sure you focus on projects and tasks to be done, as well. Do not say you are sorry to have the role; equally do not show superiority over them. If you feel really brave, invite the team to be the very best team of all time and then do a one day transformation with the team (I know people who can help you with this).
Be yourself. Always focus on your vision as a team, on making true decisions, and on taking action. Be clear what everyone is doing and create an unstoppable unit – Book 2 (blue) covers much of this.
Do not be hard on yourself – you got this position because you deserved it. And above all else, ask yourself every day, would you pass the acid test of leadership – if you were stripped of your job title, your position and your traits of office, would you still get the best from your people? When the day arrives that you can truly answer “Yes” to that question, you have arrived.
Share Your Experience - This blog is not written to be thought provoking, it is written to be action provoking - please go do something and share what works for you by writing a comment or by e-mailing me at david@nakedleader.com. When it is shared or quoted you will get full accreditation. Thank you.
