Leading The Way: When You Feel Your Team Needs A Course Correction

Do you ever feel like your team could be achieving more, but something is holding it back?

Perhaps it is a lack of clear direction, ineffective communication, or a leadership style that does not motivate or inspire. You are not alone. Many team members find themselves in situations where they question the leadership they are receiving.

This can be a delicate situation. Speaking up about concerns can feel risky, especially if you fear negative repercussions, being labeled a troublemaker, or damaging your working relationship with the team leader.

However, silence does not always serve the team's best interests. A struggling leader can ultimately hinder everyone's performance and satisfaction.

So, what can you do?

Here are a few suggestions, moving from individual to more group-oriented approaches:

• Gather Information: Talk privately with trusted colleagues to see if they share your concerns. Sharing perspectives can be validating and help you strategize.
• Focus on Solutions: Instead of dwelling on the negative, brainstorm constructive suggestions for improvement. Perhaps the leader needs more resources, training, or simply a different approach to communication.

Taking Action - Individual Approaches

• Schedule a One-on-One (with Preparation): Consider scheduling a one-on-one meeting with your team leader.
• Preparation is key. Frame the discussion as a way to offer support and work together to elevate team performance. Focus on specific examples ("When X happens, it makes it difficult for me to Y") and offer suggestions for improvement ("Perhaps we could try Z instead"). Be clear, respectful, and solution-oriented.
• Seek Guidance from HR: Human Resources departments exist to support employees, including concerns about leadership. HR can offer confidential guidance and may suggest alternative ways to address the situation, such as mediation or anonymous surveys. Be careful to position the exchange as advice as to how YOU could be more productive as against placing a complaint against your team leader!

Taking Action - Group Approaches

• Brainstorming Session (Structured): Suggest a team-building session focused on improving communication and collaboration. Frame it as a way to help everyone be more effective. During the session, use structured brainstorming techniques to generate ideas for improvement without placing blame on the leader.
• Group Check-In: Schedule a regular team meeting specifically for open communication. Come prepared with questions about goals, communication styles, and roadblocks. Encourage honest feedback (focusing on behavior and impact) and co-create solutions together.
• 360 Feedback Survey (Anonymous): This can be a powerful tool for providing constructive feedback to a leader. An anonymous survey allows team members to share honest insights without fear of reprisal. The leader can then use this feedback to identify areas for improvement.

Empowering Team Growth: Support from the Success with People? Academy

While the approaches above can be helpful, there are additional resources available to navigate challenging leadership situations. The Success with People? Academy offers a multi-faceted approach to empower team growth and address leadership concerns:

1. Behavioral DNA Assessments and Team Mapping

The Success with People? Academy conducts assessments for team members to identify their unique working styles and preferences. This information is then used to create "Team Maps" and related diagnostics that illustrate how individuals interact and collaborate in the team environment. These insights are invaluable in understanding team dynamics and guide coaching interventions to improve communication and overall effectiveness.

2. User-Friendly 360 Surveys

The Success with People? Academy offers a user-friendly 360 feedback survey specifically designed for teams and leadership. This survey allows team members to provide anonymous feedback on the leader's strengths and areas for development. The leader then receives a comprehensive report with actionable insights for improvement.

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3. Staff Satisfaction Surveys

The Success with People? Academy's system-driven Staff Satisfaction surveys go beyond leadership concerns and capture anonymous feedback from all team members. This comprehensive data allows for a deeper understanding of overall team morale, satisfaction, and areas for improvement.

Taking the Next Step

If you are looking for additional support in addressing leadership challenges within your team, our Success with People? Academy team can help.

Contact us today for a no-cost consultation to discuss your specific situation and explore how our services can empower your team's success.

Send an email to: [email protected]

Remember, a strong team thrives on open communication and collaboration. By working together, you can create a safe space for honest feedback and help your leader adjust their behavior to empower the team's success.

Join the Conversation

Share your thoughts! Have you ever been in this situation? How did you handle it? Let's discuss strategies for navigating challenging leadership scenarios in the comments below.

Closing Thoughts

Leading a team is a complex endeavor.

By fostering open communication and a willingness to address challenges, we can all work towards creating a more positive and productive work environment for everyone. Remember, a team that can give and receive constructive feedback is a team poised for growth and success.

Don't let concerns about leadership hold your team back. Take action today!

Success with People? Insights

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Trevor E S Smith

Success with People Academy - INFOSERV Group

We deploy our DISCerning Model of Communication and Leadership to promote personal, team, and organizational growth. The process is supported by granular Behavioral DNA assessments from Extended DISC??on the revolutionary FinxS??Platform. Talk to us about Team Dynamics and Performance.

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