How can new account managers work effectively with established teams?

1 Understand the team dynamics

Before you start working with a team, you need to understand how they operate, what their roles and responsibilities are, and how they communicate with each other and the client. You can do this by asking questions, observing their interactions, and reviewing their previous work. This will help you identify their strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and expectations. You will also learn how to adapt your style and approach to fit their culture and workflow.

2 Respect the team's expertise

One of the worst mistakes you can make as a new account manager is to act like you know everything and disregard the team's input. This will only create resentment and conflict. Instead, you should respect the team's expertise and experience, and acknowledge their contributions and achievements. You should also seek their feedback and suggestions, and involve them in decision-making whenever possible. This will show them that you value their work and trust their judgment.

3 Communicate clearly and frequently

Communication is key to any successful collaboration, especially when you are new to a team. You need to communicate clearly and frequently with the team members, and keep them updated on the client's goals, expectations, and feedback. You also need to listen to their concerns, questions, and ideas, and address them promptly and respectfully. You should use the communication channels and tools that the team prefers, and avoid sending mixed or contradictory messages. You should also be transparent and honest about any issues or challenges that might affect the project or the relationship.

4 Align your goals and priorities

Another important aspect of working effectively with established teams is to align your goals and priorities with theirs. You need to understand what the team's objectives and deliverables are, and how they measure their success. You also need to clarify your own role and responsibilities, and how you can support the team's efforts. You should also align your expectations and timelines with the team's, and negotiate any changes or adjustments that might be necessary. You should also celebrate the team's milestones and achievements, and recognize their efforts.

5 Learn and grow from the experience

Finally, working with established teams is a great opportunity to learn and grow as an account manager. You can benefit from the team's knowledge, skills, and insights, and apply them to your own work. You can also learn from their feedback, challenges, and mistakes, and improve your performance. You can also build your network and reputation, and establish long-term relationships with the team members and the client. You should always be open-minded, curious, and humble, and seek to add value to the team and the project.

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?