It is not enough to give motivational speeches and say

there is no ‘I’ in ‘team. Good remuneration is always a positive but money

alone can’t make everything run smoothly.

A successful team does not just happen by coincidence

as there are many dynamics at play and intricate parts needed to grease the

wheels of commerce, whether large or small. When running a company, it spells

sense to have all your ducks in a row and the first major duck is having the

right people all pulling in one direction.

Being the boss does not mean that you hover over

everyone and make them uncomfortable by questioning or second guessing their

every move. What is the sense in that? Trust yourself that you hired the right

people for the job and let them do the work. Do not micromanage. It undermines

your team and makes you an ineffective leader. If you have to be present for

work to get done or productivity to be at its maximum, something is wrong and it

is not the quality of the coffee at the machine. Unless someone screws up big time,

let staff breathe and just be.

You have to trust people to do what they are being

paid to do. If your team knows you trust them, they will appreciate that trust

which then facilitates respect. There is nothing more disastrous that working

in an environment where everyone mistrusts each other and ‘carry news’ in an attempt

to get ahead. An efficient leader does not subscribe to the ‘suss’ policy and

promotes people based on the merit of their duties.

If you say you are going to do something, keep your

word. If your word is your bond then even when times get hard, your staff will

stand behind you as they believe in you and, therefore, believe in the

business.

When there is conflict, avoid taking sides; instead

ask the group for their opinion and possible solutions. You may be surprised at

how good people can be at solving things you’ve stayed up all night trying to

figure out. Never assume that because you have the big title means that someone

in a junior position does not have something worthwhile to contribute.

Great ideas don’t reside exclusively in the brains of

corporate honchos so give the little man the opportunity to have his or her

say. It may just save your business.