On Fast Company, Art Markman and Lolly Daskal discuss mentoring employees and striking the balance between developing their skills and allowing them to work autonomously.
Markman observes that the three most difficult aspects of leadership are: ensuring that your team is productive; keeping the members of your team motivated to work; investing in team members’ continued professional development.
SELF REFLECTION
Daskal believes that before you lead others, you need to find out more about yourself. Therefore, you should reflect on your values and be prepared to communicate them to your employees.
The author recommends focusing on the strengths of each team member and keeping those in mind as you delegate. Make sure you challenge them and show faith in their abilities, inspiring them to stretch themselves.
Describe what you want done clearly and succinctly. Establish your expectations for both time frame and results. Be open to any questions and use any available opportunities to teach and support your team.
Also make sure people have the resources they need – otherwise, you cannot expect them to deliver the desired results.
It’s important to foster a sense of community and create a climate for success, insist Markman and Daskal.
Markman emphasises the importance of keeping team members informed and up to date on what’s going on in the organisation, addressing any concerns they might have.
Daskal comments: “People work best when they know they’re not on their own – that questions can be answered and problems can be solved.
“Collaboration and support create a sense of community, and working together everyone achieves more.”