My dreams work when my team works. This is the best way to build community. Transforming our work team into a functional family may be a desire of any manager. We spend so much time with our work family. We need to make the absolute best of it.
As a community builder, I believe in using management and leadership skills at the same time. I believe there to be a difference. Managing is about making the best decisions for you and your team while leadership is about maintaining your best qualities. Team work is about a lot of the "C's," communication, community, common goals, clear direction and cooperation. Though leadership you set the example and through your management you set the course of action.
I feel so fortunate to be apart of such great teams over and over again. As a community builder and community manager, here are some tips from a manager prospective:
Get to know your team: The best way to know your team is to know the strengths and weaknesses of everyone on it. So get to know your team, professionally, where do team members thrive and where can they be challenged? I believe each member should be put in both positions for continual growth.
Be there: As a manager, it is your priority to meet with your team, individually and as a group. These scheduled meetings should be a priority as well as making time when situations come up and need to be addressed.
Feedback: Most managers only work with a one way feedback structure. To be more effective, be sure to open at least a two-way path, where you are giving and also receiving feedback. You want to make opportunities to receive feedback from all angles and almost everyone you work with even if they do not report to you directly.
Culture building: I enjoy beginning and maintaining community traditions, this helps build community. Getting community together to celebrate, honor, recognize achievements and important days that mean something to community members is certainly beneficial and fun.
Professional Development: Professional development is how you can support your team members to work on their weaknesses and overcome some challenges. Some team members will understand what help they may need, others you may have to advise and encourage. Introduce team members to mentors, coaches, trainings and websites. I have always built in professional development opportunities into the regular staff meeting time. Learning in community helps community build.
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