Learning to Trust Your Team
Leadership Lessons 5: Lead with confidence and learn the power of trust
I consciously chose to skip last week's lesson because my niece is visiting us from England. Writing last week's newsletter on top of other projects and family obligations was too much. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I'm back now and ready to continue sharing this journey with you.
Learning to Trust Your Team
Trusting your team is an enormous lesson and skill to work on when becoming an effective leader, especially in the creative industry where teamwork and client interaction are crucial. As the lead strategist of a social media marketing company, transitioning from a team member to a leader was both exciting and challenging. Embracing the art of delegation and learning to trust my team was a transformative experience that continues to shape my leadership journey.
Transitioning from Team Contributor to Leader
In the early stages of my leadership role, I struggled with delegating tasks to my team members. The fear of my name still being attached to the work and the clients looking to me for assurance held me back. However, I realized that "delegating is the doing" - mastering effective delegation and reviewing work were the skills I needed to transition from a contributor to a leader.
Although it wasn't always easy, I gradually learned to let my team figure out their own processes and iterate. While coaching them through tasks is a natural instinct, I've come to appreciate the growth that comes from giving them autonomy.
Unlocking Team Potential
As I honed my delegation skills, I also learned the importance of hiring individuals who excel in areas beyond my expertise. Encouraged by the advice to "always hire someone better than you," with the help of my boss, I assembled a team with diverse talents.
One team member is a highly organized Canva designer with a keen eye for detail. Her skills in reorganizing our Canva account and optimizing processes have been invaluable. Another team member possesses outstanding social skills, building strong connections with clients and fostering synergy within the team.
Recognizing and leveraging their strengths has been key in creating a cohesive and high-performing team, allowing me to trust them in various situations.
The Trust Building Foundation: Communication
Open communication and feedback are essential elements of a trusting team dynamic. Having experienced the impact of poor leadership communication, I strive to be an active listener for my team members. Their needs and concerns are essential to our problem-solving process.
Likewise, I'm open to receiving feedback, recognizing that growth as a leader stems from embracing honest evaluations. Seeking input from both my team and my leader helps me refine my leadership style for the benefit of the current team and my future endeavors.
Transparent communication fosters a level of trust that empowers us to handle any challenge and celebrate successes together.
Growth Through Trust
Mistakes are inevitable, especially in a collaborative work environment. Trust is tested, intentionally or unintentionally, during such times. Learning to navigate these situations has been a valuable lesson.
In instances where trust was tested, I've taken ownership of extending trust more cautiously, while my team members have acknowledged their accountability. The willingness of my team to learn and grow from mistakes has deepened our trust in one another.
Fostering a Culture of Trust
Embracing the transition to leadership and learning to trust my team has been a transformative journey. Delegating tasks, recognizing individual strengths, fostering open communication, and learning from mistakes has been instrumental in building a cohesive and trusting team.
As leaders, let us continue to reflect on our trust-building journey and encourage our teams to thrive. Together, we can create environments where trust and collaboration propel us to new heights of success.
Previous Leadership Lessons:
All the best on your leadership journey,
Larry G.
I truly love watching you grow in your new role! I have done some of the exact things in my management positions! I definitely knew the kind of leader I absolutely did not want to be because of my personal experience with horrible leaders.
Should your team be able to complete Clifton’s Strength Finders, that will open even better ways to position your team to be the best team it can be!