What do you do if your decision as a team leader in media production affects the entire team?

As a team leader, it's crucial to listen to your team's concerns and perspectives, and then make decisions that consider everyone's well-being and goals. Transparency and empathy go a long way in ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported, even when tough decisions need to be made.

I have often felt hesitant about receiving input from my team members. At times, I find it easier to handle everything on my own. Creative direction in media production is subjective and can open up numerous possibilities for output creation. It is beneficial to take ownership of decisions rather than striving to be inclusive during the execution process. During the initial stages, a collective approach can be taken but not during the execution.

Every decision we make is based on what clients want and need. If we are starting to see a shift in what they need from a content perspective, we have team meetings to discuss them, take input and make the executive decision. If you don't have immediate buy in from the team, you have to constantly show them the vision. If it works, you stay on track. If it doesn't, then it's not a big deal. You must constantly evolve as a business especially when you are creating content with ever changing algorithms and technology. @LucieContent we are constantly having to look at our overall strategy.

Anticipating how the story will unspool from the script to the screen on time and budget is important. You can't drive a Chevrolet Roadster in a Formula 1 Race unless it is a comedy. But that's not how it works in a film like Ford vs. Ferrari now that's a drama with some comedic drama and lots of action on the pavement. If you can't envision how a motion picture story will unspool visually on the screen in your mind's eye while reading the script content development is not for you. Not only am I blessed with the vision to see it I can tell roughly within 20% how much the picture/series will cost to produce. Blessed with such a talent, I guess right, far more than wrong. How do I know, well that's the secret sauce God calls, "the gift"?

Evaluate how your decision will affect each team member individually and the team as a whole. Consider factors such as workload, deadlines, resources, and morale. Communicate openly and transparently with the team about the decision. Clearly explain the reasons behind the decision, the expected outcomes, and how it will impact their roles and responsibilities. Encourage team members to share their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions regarding the decision. Actively listen to their feedback and be open to making adjustments if necessary. Offer support and guidance to team members who may need assistance or clarification on how the decision impacts their work. Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities moving forward.

This is probably the biggest piece of advice I received, starting out as a digital project manager. In my previous roles as an ops manager, there was a big pressure to figure it out and make directions to the team on what is the best path. In hindsight this was bad advice for an ops manager and future project manager. It is way easier to open the dialogue with the team of people who you work with and get some perspectives on it. They are specialists, they are experts, and you/your company most likely hired them for their experience! This allows the whole team to feel like they are part of the solution when it comes time for implementation.

Clear Communication: When your decision impacts the entire team, transparency is key. Explain the reasoning behind your decision and how it aligns with the project's goals. Offer an open forum for team members to express concerns and ask questions. This approach not only fosters trust but also ensures everyone is on the same page, enhancing teamwork and commitment to the project.

Reevaluating decisions is crucial. When the end goal is clearly defined, it allows for the exploration of alternative paths when faced with obstacles. Experience plays a significant role in recognizing when adjustments are necessary. It's common to believe we're on the right track, only to realize we're not adapting to challenges. Simplifying and maintaining clarity about the end goal facilitates the discovery of better options. Often, involving multiple perspectives leads to outcomes exceeding initial expectations, as collective brainstorming enhances problem-solving abilities.

I take criticism as a a way to improve my skills and knowledge. There is no need to be offended when an idea has been rejected rather discuss a direction, decide on a workable solution for the benefit of the media production.

You'll be surprised by the skills, knowledge and ideas that your team possesses. People working in media production are often multi-disciplinary, even though they stay in their lanes. Ask about previous projects and alternate skillsets and look for ways to leverage that experience.

Treating team members with respect and fairness is key to their motivation and engagement. But there's a big difference in how you manage short-term projects and long-term projects. Unpleasant decisions are sometimes unavoidable. The goal is always to ensure a strong team moving forward. But for minor projects that require quick actions - you should focus on the output. Tired team members can be replaced, the key value is production efficiency. With long-term projects - you should prioritize teamwork and keep a good climate. Make sure your team members do not burn out and make decisions taking into consideration the effect on the team's morale.