5 Effective Ways to Guide Your Team at Work
Managing a team effectively requires a careful balance. As a leader, you must inspire productivity without coming across as overly controlling. Getting it wrong can lead to disengaged employees and decreased outcomes. Research by the UK’s Chartered Management Institute reveals that only 27% of workers view their managers as “highly effective.” Poor leadership often results in lower motivation and higher turnover rates.
So, how can you direct your team without creating ambiguity? Here are five actionable tips from successful business leaders to help you lead with clarity and purpose.
1. Guide Through Thoughtful Questions
Rahul Todkar, Head of Data and AI at Tripadvisor, emphasizes the value of asking insightful questions as a leadership tool.
“You can lead people by asking good questions,” says Todkar. Questions help clarify direction and encourage team members to discover solutions collaboratively. Instead of being overly directive, use inquiries to spark problem-solving and creative thinking.
“When you ask the right questions, your team will naturally move in the right direction,” he advises. “Sometimes, you might need to give a subtle nudge, but the discovery process should be theirs.”
2. Foster Open Dialogue
Nick Woods, CIO of airport group MAG, believes that a coaching mindset beats outright instructions.
“Success is built on conversational dialogue,” says Woods. A healthy debate helps refine goals and ensures alignment. Rather than dictating tasks, Woods trusts his team to suggest solutions and then collaborates to refine those ideas.
However, when decisions are required, Woods takes full accountability. “Clarity in communication is key—you can’t afford to leave decisions open to interpretation.”
3. Trust and Empower Your Team
Niall Robinson, Head of Product Innovation at the Met Office, advocates for giving employees the freedom to innovate.
“There’s a temptation to tell people how to do things, but that can stifle creativity,” Robinson explains. Instead, he focuses on defining success and allowing his team to recommend solutions.
Providing clarity about short-term goals and long-term outcomes ensures everyone understands the bigger picture. “Helping staff differentiate between outputs and outcomes fosters a sense of purpose,” he adds.
4. Communicate with Clarity and Frequency
Claire Thompson, Group Chief Data and Analytics Officer at L&G, stresses the importance of clear and consistent communication.
“You need to tell the story as it is,” says Thompson. This approach is especially critical when managing complex initiatives involving diverse stakeholders.
To ensure clarity, she recommends using a fresh perspective: “Ask someone less involved in the project if your message makes sense. Their feedback helps refine your communication.”
5. Provide Context and Empower Action
Andy Fleming, CTO at Sage, highlights the importance of context in decision-making.
“I focus on sharing intent and rationale rather than dictating solutions,” says Fleming. This approach fosters autonomy and encourages innovative thinking within his team.
When employees understand the “why” behind decisions, they feel empowered to take the next steps independently. “Context drives empowerment,” Fleming concludes.
Conclusion
Leading a team effectively requires more than just giving orders. By asking insightful questions, engaging in dialogue, empowering your team, and communicating clearly, you can build a collaborative, motivated, and successful workforce. Take these tips from industry leaders to create a workplace culture that thrives on clarity and purpose.
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