You’re a new manager and your team is struggling. What can you do to help them succeed?

1 Assess the situation

The first step is to understand what is causing your team’s difficulties. Is it a lack of skills, resources, or clarity? Is it a conflict, a mismatch, or a gap in expectations? Is it a personal, professional, or organizational issue? To find out, you need to gather data, feedback, and insights from multiple sources. You can use tools like surveys, interviews, observations, or reports to collect information. You can also ask your team members directly about their challenges, needs, and goals. Be open, honest, and respectful, and listen actively to their perspectives.

2 Provide support and guidance

The next step is to help your team overcome their obstacles and achieve their objectives. This may involve providing training, coaching, mentoring, or feedback to improve their skills and performance. It may also involve adjusting your leadership style, delegating tasks, setting boundaries, or empowering your team to make decisions. You can also offer recognition, appreciation, or incentives to boost their motivation and engagement. The key is to tailor your support and guidance to each team member’s strengths, weaknesses, and preferences.

3 Communicate and collaborate

The third step is to foster a positive and productive team culture. This means communicating clearly, frequently, and consistently with your team. You need to share your vision, goals, expectations, and feedback with them. You also need to listen to their ideas, opinions, and concerns. You need to create a safe and respectful space for dialogue, debate, and feedback. You need to encourage collaboration, cooperation, and teamwork among your team members. You need to model the values, behaviors, and attitudes you want to see in your team.

5 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?