Here's how you can foster trust with your team through delegation in media production.

Running a team of 5 for our media production, here are 3 ways I make sure everyone gets their job right: 1) Focus on creating pre-production (breakout every action required for each individual) 2) Brainstorm with the team on how everyone can work more effectively and create even better results (you never know which angles are the best) 3) Remind and repeat the steps with the team so everyone knows their work. Although I might sound naggy, this action fosters confidence in my team. ??????

When working with a new team, I have found it beneficial to state openly that its alright to come to me to ask questions. I would rather have a team member ask me questions about specifics and get it right the first time. Stating it openly better facilitates an air of cooperation and collaboration. When team members know that they won't be in trouble because they have questions, it helps build trust that you want them to be successful. Be polite and look for "teachable moments" that you might help them become better at their role and thus help the team achieve greater accomplishments than everyone on their own. It is better to take a few minutes to clarify or teach a skill so that it is completed correctly the first time.

Building trust within a team isn't an overnight process; it requires consistency, communication, and mutual respect. From directors to camera operators and editors, every member's input shapes the final outcome. Trust in a team member's skills and judgment allows for a seamless flow of creativity and ideas, ultimately leading to more innovative and compelling content.

When building a team, you must trust that they are capable of what you have hired them to do, them let them do it. Its not wrong to ask for updates on their progress towards the end goal. Constantly questioning your team about every detail of the process often makes them feel micromanaged. Facilitate a workflow that encourages them to take the initiative and allows them to feel comfortable asking questions to gain clarity and better understanding of the end goal. Some creatives need a firm deadline so that they can better strategize and utilize their skills to complete it. Statements like "whenever you have time..." and "at some point..." can be too open ended that some creatives will not be able to complete the task and achieve the goal.

The most exceptional media productions benefit from a diversity of ideas and perspectives. Encourage your team to share their unique viewpoints and suggestions, and be genuinely open to these contributions. This collaborative approach can lead to innovative solutions and breakthroughs that may not have been possible without such input.

Facilitating an open dialogue is foundational to a creative team's success. They need to know that they are able to ask about the requirements of the end goal and you need to answer clearly. Set the boundaries of the project by clearly communicating them. Allow every question your creative team may have, they are asking because they are engaged and want to better understand. They want to be successful and create something grand. No is a powerful word and often halts communication. If no is said too often, your creative team will stop being creative because they are always told "no", so why should they try? Invite them to explain how or why their idea could make the project better. Invite them to explain their why, you might be surprised.

When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to be motivated and committed to their roles. Celebrating successes, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in a team's morale. Small wins accumulate over time and contribute to the overall success of the organization. Whether it's a shout-out in a team meeting or a small token of appreciation, these acts go a long way in making employees feel valued.

Delegation is more than just offloading tasks to others; it is a strategic move that can lead to overall team improvement. By assigning tasks, team leaders create opportunities for professional growth among their members. It is about trusting your team to handle more complex responsibilities, which can significantly impact their career development. Effective delegation involves not only assigning responsibility but also offering support and advice when needed. By being available to guide your team members, you help them navigate challenges and increase their confidence in dealing with complex tasks independently.

True trust has to have teeth. Real delegation isn't an exercise in vanity or pure lip-service to a pretty ideal - it requires a sacrifice of control. A key component in that is the room made for collaborative evaluation. This sort of evaluation cannot come down to solely the opinion of one individual as one individual will never be the leading expert on everything involved and each of us will always have limitations to our understanding. Be brave enough to embrace collective evaluation and respect the expertise of those around you. You and your work will be better off for it.