You want to improve your skills as a manager. How can you build a stronger team?

1 Communicate clearly and frequently

Communication is key to any successful team, especially in the BPO sector where you may have to work across different time zones, languages, and platforms. You need to communicate your goals, expectations, feedback, and appreciation to your team members regularly and effectively. Use a variety of tools, such as emails, calls, chats, video conferences, and project management software, to keep everyone on the same page and avoid misunderstandings. Encourage your team to communicate with you and each other, and listen to their ideas, concerns, and suggestions.

2 Delegate and empower

As a manager, you may be tempted to micromanage your team or do everything yourself. However, this can be counterproductive and demoralizing for your team. Instead, you should delegate tasks and responsibilities to your team members based on their skills, interests, and availability. This will help them develop their abilities, confidence, and ownership of their work. You should also empower your team to make decisions, solve problems, and suggest improvements. This will foster a sense of autonomy, creativity, and innovation in your team.

3 Provide support and guidance

Delegating and empowering your team does not mean leaving them alone. You still need to provide support and guidance to your team members, especially when they face challenges, difficulties, or uncertainties. You should be available and accessible to your team, and offer them help, advice, and resources when they need them. You should also coach and mentor your team members, and help them grow their skills, knowledge, and career. You should also recognize and reward your team members for their achievements, efforts, and contributions.

4 Build trust and rapport

Trust and rapport are essential for building a stronger team. You need to trust your team members to do their work well and respect their opinions and perspectives. You also need to earn their trust by being honest, reliable, and accountable. You should also build rapport with your team members by showing interest in them as individuals, not just as workers. You should learn about their backgrounds, hobbies, goals, and preferences. You should also create opportunities for your team to bond and socialize, such as virtual coffee breaks, games, or celebrations.

5 Encourage feedback and learning

Feedback and learning are vital for improving your skills as a manager and your team's performance. You should encourage feedback from your team members, clients, and peers, and use it to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You should also give constructive feedback to your team members, and help them improve their work quality and efficiency. You should also encourage learning in your team, and provide them with training, development, and upskilling opportunities. You should also promote a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and continuous improvement in your team.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?