How to Improve Team Management

Managing a work team is no easy task: it means bringing out the potential of each member while considering individual differences, resolving conflicts that may arise, and turning them into opportunities. The ultimate goal is to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere that fosters listening and sharing, thereby increasing the effectiveness of actions and, consequently, productivity.

But what are the key factors that positively influence team management? Let’s explore them together.

Every company has numerous goals and aspirations, which is fantastic. However, it’s important to recognize that not all of them can realistically be achieved. Effective goal-setting is therefore essential for improving team management. When clear, shared objectives are established, they act as the team’s North Star, guiding them in the right direction. Practical, realistic, and timely goals can improve the team’s performance and efficiency, keeping them on track for success.

How to Set Clear and Realistic Goals While Keeping the Team Motivated

The first step is to define the goals as collaboratively as possible so that they become not only team goals but also individual objectives for each member. Additionally, these goals should align with the personal objectives of the team members and, most importantly, the company’s goals.

Practically speaking, it’s useful to define both short- and long-term objectives. These key goals often align with organizational and team-specific objectives. For instance, if you lead a Customer Success team, your business goals might align with the overarching objective of increasing customer retention. To achieve this, you might focus on improving customer satisfaction. Team-specific objectives could include training new leaders and streamlining workflows to make client interactions more efficient.

All these goals should be SMARTer, an acronym in the business world that stands for Specific, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic/Attainable, Time-bound, Ecological (both eco-friendly and ego-compatible), and Recorded (documented). Only if SMARTer, goals can be monitored, evaluated, and celebrated. They also help prioritize tasks and allocate resources effectively.

Goals stem from a critical preliminary task: defining the values and vision that guide the team.

Defining common core values and cultivating a shared vision — a clear, compelling image of the future — inspires and motivates the team to collaborate toward shared objectives. Aligning the team’s values with those of the company, identifying additional shared values among team members, and collaboratively writing a vision for where and how the project should progress ensures that everyone understands, agrees on, and actively contributes to achieving the goals. This contribution arises from deliberate, autonomous choice rather than external imposition.

For this reason, it’s crucial to involve the team in the visioning process. Instead of simply declaring the company’s vision, ask each member what their own vision is. Encourage them to share thoughts, feedback, and suggestions. Paying attention to their viewpoints and concerns, and considering their ideas and comments, helps develop a vision that reflects the team’s diversity and talent.

It’s also important to communicate the company’s vision clearly and transparently, using simple and effective language. Reiterate it often, linking it to actions, decisions, and even anecdotes to make it more engaging.

A shared vision is then created by turning it into objectives.

Another essential factor in improving team management is the careful selection of a leader who is respected by everyone and trustworthy. A leader must lead by example and serve as a role model for the team. Key qualities of a good leader include respect for all team members, openness to listening and discussion, a mindset receptive to new ideas, and a supportive attitude toward collaborators. A leader should also exhibit integrity, honesty, empathy, and compassion—traits that foster trust and build a cohesive team.

In addition to selecting the right leader, clearly defining tasks and assigning them based on precise criteria is crucial. Activities should be distributed positively, ensuring the “right task for the right person,” while clarifying objectives and maintaining effective communication. For example, regular meetings can serve as valuable opportunities to discuss deadlines, gather feedback on progress, and provide training and supervision.

It’s also necessary to align team roles and tasks with objectives, so everyone understands how their work contributes to the overall vision and goals. Tasks and projects should be assigned based on each team member’s skills, interests, and capabilities. However, it’s also essential to provide them with the tools, training, and support they need to grow personally and professionally within the company.

This system of task allocation should allow team members enough freedom to make decisions independently and take responsibility for them. This step is fundamental not only for learning to work together but also for learning from one another.

Monitoring the group’s progress, providing regular feedback and recognition, appreciating achievements and efforts, learning positively from mistakes, and adjusting goals as circumstances change are all concrete actions that further contribute to creating a cohesive atmosphere within the team—an essential foundation for improved productivity.

Creating moments for discussion is a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth. Sharing ideas and objectives, expressing concerns, or challenging assumptions is only possible through interaction with others. Sitting together around a table also broadens knowledge and skills and fosters a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.

To make these moments effective, it’s crucial to have a well-defined agenda and ensure participants come prepared. This way, the focus remains on finding solutions to enhance the team’s effectiveness, avoiding what is often referred to as a “complaint session.”

By fostering collaboration, accountability, and a clear vision, these principles can create a solid foundation for a productive and harmonious team environment.