Wish your team were a little more efficient? A little more effective? Did what you needed a little more?

Here are some simple tips and tricks to get more from your team.

1. Focus on strengths.

We all have strengths and weaknesses.

If I have a strength, then I am really good generally, at doing that thing. Because I am good at it, I find it easy and I like doing it. Why then, would you give projects that involve my strengths to someone else, who does not have my strength in that area?

Instead you give me something to do, that I am not strong at?

Therefore I don’t find it as easy, I don’t enjoy doing it and will probably never do it as well as you would like.

Think more before you delegate tasks or projects:

• Which of your team has strengths in these areas?

• Who would really enjoy this project?

If you are not sure about your teams strengths, start talking to them, find out what types of work they most enjoy?

What don’t they like doing and why? Get to know your team better and you will be more effective in managing them.

2. Don’t make people angry.

Anger looks outwards. If you back people into a corner and make them angry, they will lash out at you – the business – their colleagues, anywhere they can lash out to shift blame and balance their emotions.

Making your team members angry is an ineffective way to manage them.

You might be angry; but go away and calm down before you start responding.  Think about your response and how your response will be taken by the recipient.

Consider this: How you respond is less important than the effect that your response has.

It is not important how you feel or what you want to say; it is more important to get the outcome you are looking for through your response.

3. Use Empathy – it is the greatest tool you have in your tool kit!

Stand in their shoes and work out what would make you angry. Consider the response you want – how can you get that response and not make them angry.

When you start your conversation, continue to use empathy; tell them you understand where they are coming from or why they may have acted that way, or performed in that way.

Empathy disarms anger!

Simple tips that can make your team more effective and productive without wasting time on negative emotions or badly delegated tasks!

For more HR or staffing help contact CIRCLE Recruitment & HR or call 1300 923 000

Important Note: These articles have been prepared for general circulation and are circulated for general informational purposes only; these articles should not be regarded as business or investment advice. The articles represent the views of the writers and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, while every care has been taken in the preparation of the articles no representation or warranty as to accuracy or completeness of any statement is given. An individual or organisation should, before any business or investment decision is made, consider the appropriateness of the information in this document, and seek professional advice, having regard to objectives, situation and needs. This document is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.