|
|
Ask Dr. Karen - June 25,
2007
|
Dear Dr. Karen,
My name is Reza, a newly promoted
manager in a growing
company. Despite the excitement it brings, I am overwhelmed by the
complexity of this new position. My team consists of people with
different
characters, and somehow I feel that different staff needs different
leadership style. But the problem is, I don't think I am able to switch
to
different styles all the time just to fit every different character. I
really need your suggestion on this to help me work effectively.
Dear Reza,
What to read: The Truth about Managing Your Career: Part I which deals
with
starting a new job. As you get more comfortable with your group you can
read The Truth about Being a Leader Truths 28 and 32 which look at how
to
adjust your leadership style.
Here are the steps that will help you to deal with the complexity of
your
new situation. It's important for you to get to know your group
collectively
and individually. Although your management may have asked you to change
some
things quickly please take the time to get to know your group. You do
this
by meeting with each of them and then as a group. When you meet with
individuals it is important to keep what they are telling you
confidential
and anonymous. You will summarizing what you have learned for the group.
You CANNOT repeat anything that someone has told you in confidence. Even
if
this takes you a month to do it is worth your time.
1) Face-to-face meetings: Questions to ask your team when you are
face-to-face: a) How is the group working? b) What does it need more or
less
of to be effective? c) What would make a big difference now for you or
for
the group? d) What do you and the group as a whole need from me as your
leader?
2) Meeting with the whole group: After you have a chance to meet with
each
member of the group you will have an idea about what is working well and
what needs to change. This is the time to tell the group what you
learned
without revealing who said what.
3) For now, you must think of your group as one until you get to know
them
better. You need to look at the systems and procedures that keep the
group
working well. When there is no system in place you need to do more work.
Dr. Karen
**This Ask
Dr. Karen is based on her book, The Truth About Managing
Your Career which will be republished in paperback on
July15, 2008 and available on
amazon.com.
What did you think of this
article? Dr. Karen would love to here your
feedback!
|
