Many leaders are faced with the exciting challenge of starting a new organization or leading a new team or project.

Some leaders are properly prepared to “show up,” make a great first impression, and know how to best engage their teams. Others not so much…

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.
–Henry Ford

We suggest investigating the current “as is” situation and try to avoid having preconceived notions. You may have new direct reports, you may be the boss, but that does not mean you’re fully “in the know.”

How familiar are you with the new organization? Are they competent and thriving? Do they possess strong leadership skills, abilities, and talents? Are they meeting departmental goals? Even if you heard “no” to any of these questions, check it out for yourself.

Get to Know Your Team and Organization

A great way to begin is to ask key questions and get to know your team you’re leading on an individual level.

Listen and Engage

Start with the “people” side–learn a bit about each person. Then ask some thought-provoking business questions such as:

  • What are the biggest challenges you see facing the organization right now? Are there any you think may be an issue down the road?
  • Why do you believe these challenges are being faced?
  • What is the most proactive thing we can do for innovation and growth?
  • Do you have the tools, skills, and resources to obtain and grow results?
  • What are the needs required to achieve success?
  • If you were me, what would you do to lead this organization forward?

Simply gather the data; don’t criticize or minimize anything you’ve been told.

Listen, and show that each individual is being heard.

Prosper

Next, consolidate the responses into common threads and trends. You can then present these back to the team members that participated and determine next steps.

This exercise can provide you with invaluable data on how your team is thinking, identify resources necessary to succeed, and decide how to best achieve your vision, mission, and goals.

Invest in the time to know your team. Listen to them, engage them, and prosper!

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
–Helen Keller

QwikTip and QwikCoach

PeopleTek’s Strategic partner, E-Coach, specializes in online coaching tools.

Check out this informative video of Mike Kublin and Dr. Rebecca Staton-Reinstein of Advantage Leadership discussing the importance of cooperation.

https://youtu.be/SLKqidYhAf4

And for those with a QwikCoach license, refresh your existing skills and acquire new skills by visiting the QwikTips library for leadership ideas and techniques.

If you don’t have QwikCoach, it’s an excellent resource for growing your leadership skills remotely that you should consider.

Learn More About QwikCoach

Help turn your leadership knowledge into leadership action!

Did You Know?

Graduates of PeopleTek’s Leadership Journey Earn:

  • IT Professionals: 19 priSM CPD credits
  • Human Resource SPHR/PHR/GPHR: 19 HR (General) credit hours
  • Project Managers: PMI – up to 37 hours / 3 PSM level points
  • Executive Coaches: 18 ICF CCE’s (Core Competencies) & 5 ICF CCE’s (Resource Development)

Additionally, the Journey is approved for PMI re-certification credits.

Tags: