Building a team is an exciting milestone for any business owner. The initial onboarding can be invigorating, as you envision the growth and success your new team member will bring to your business. However, it’s not uncommon to encounter challenges and frustrations along the way. In this blog post, we will explore effective leadership, how to communicate feedback and support your team members, even when things don’t go as smoothly as expected. Remember, it’s all part of the journey of becoming a great leader.

The Initial Highs and Unexpected Hiccups

Imagine the excitement of hiring your first team member and equipping them with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and an onboarding guide. You meet with them, feeling confident about your leadership abilities. But after a couple of weeks, you notice some hiccups in their performance. Which leaves you wondering why this isn’t working when you’ve provided all the necessary tools.

Managing Expectations and Embracing Learning

As a business owner, it’s crucial to recognize that the journey of managing a team involves a learning curve. Often, entrepreneurs fear they can’t adequately support their team members, leading to a premature sense of defeat. However, it’s important to acknowledge that managing a team requires mastering various skills, such as delivering feedback effectively and fostering open communication.

A few of my hot tips to empower your team:

1. Practice self-compassion. Begin by acknowledging your efforts and granting yourself grace. Remember, this is a new experience for you too, and setbacks are an opportunity for growth.
2. Find your inner balance. Engage in activities like meditation, taking a walk, or anything that helps you regain a level-headed perspective. This emotional grounding will enable you to approach the situation constructively.
3. Recognize the humanity of your team members. Shift your mindset to view your team members as individuals with unique strengths, weaknesses, and emotions—just like you. This understanding fosters empathy and sets the stage for effective communication.
4. Pause and reflect on whether you may be amplifying a problem emotionally. This self-awareness allows you to approach the situation objectively and without unnecessary tension.
5. Problem-solving. Take the initiative to bridge the gap by providing additional guidance or resources. As the leader, it’s your responsibility to support your team members in acquiring the knowledge they need.
6. Adopt a coaching approach. Engage in a genuine conversation with your team member. Coaching conversations create an open and collaborative atmosphere, focusing on growth rather than blame.
7. Empower your team members. Empowerment boosts confidence, enhances productivity, and fosters a sense of ownership.

Embracing Imperfection and Grown for Effective Leadership

Remember, nobody is perfect, including your team members. While they may possess a solid skill set, every individual has their unique approach to completing tasks. Allow yourself and your team members time to adjust and find their rhythm within the business. If you’re not sure where to start when onboarding a new team member– grab my free onboarding guide to get my step by step process for onboarding a new team member. 

As you navigate the path of team management, it’s so important to approach setbacks and challenges with resilience and a growth-oriented mindset. Effective leadership involves providing guidance, communicating feedback, and empowering your team members. By embracing the learning process and maintaining open lines of communication.