{"id":1221,"date":"2023-06-06T10:11:56","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T10:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mo.work\/uncategorized\/6-tips-you-need-to-know-as-a-first-time-leader\/"},"modified":"2025-04-10T16:49:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T15:49:25","slug":"how-to-lead-a-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mo.work\/insights\/how-to-lead-a-team\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips You Need to Know As a First-time Leader"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Being a first-time leader is very special \u2013 but it can be daunting. Being a first-time leader means being able to inspire, nourish and manage a team. You must steer your employee\u2019s development and hit objectives while inspiring creatitivity. We hear you \u2013 it\u2019s not easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research from Gallup<\/a> suggests that only one in ten people have the natural talent to manage. However, the willingness to learn and being able to harness your abilities immediately sets you apart. There\u2019s no magic formula for being the perfect leader, but there are many things you can do to strengthen your position and be confident that you\u2019re setting off on the right foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Be a First-time Leader<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Prioritise Time With Your Team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To maximise your potential as a leader, you must put some serious time aside in your schedule. It can be easy to assume that you\u2019ll be able to pick it up along the way but being a good leader means putting in plenty of effort \u2013 and to do that, you\u2019ll need time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may already possess many traits, habits and skills that make a great leader, but ongoing personal and professional development will help you stay on top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to LinkedIn, dedicating time to think<\/a> is critical for successful leadership, so don\u2019t let your diary get so full that you don\u2019t have time to strategise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Spend Time Getting to Know Your Team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking the time to get to know your employees will make you a better team leader. One of the most challenging and rewarding parts of leading is the ability to guide every member of your team to greater heights. This means being able to recognise the fact that there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach. We\u2019re all different and tend to respond to different leadership styles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people like to be left to figure things out independently, others like frequent guidance and check-ins or a solid structure to follow. By getting to know your team and their preferences, you\u2019ll be well-positioned to lead in a way that nurtures everyone and results in better outcomes for you and the company as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to know your team personally and valuing their unique insights is also an excellent way to boost employee engagement<\/a> and motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Learn How to Excel at Communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re a leader, your words hold more weight than before. That means that brushing up on your communication skills is more critical than ever. From active listening that ensures your team feels heard and respected to delivering rousing speeches, there are many different levels to communicating well as a leader<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may be that some methods come more naturally than others, but it\u2019s essential to make sure you have as many options in your tool belt as possible. Practice your written skills, look at how much time you spend speaking when checking in with colleagues, and be sure to ask for feedback. That way, you\u2019ll determine whether you\u2019re successfully communicating your message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Effective communication<\/a> is a massive bonus for any workplace, and it\u2019s up to you to ensure you get the ball rolling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Be Prepared to Lead by Example<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you become a leader, your team will look to you as an example.\u00a0The first thing you should do is ensure that your personal beliefs align with your team values. When you genuinely believe in the values you\u2019re sharing, it\u2019s far easier to live by them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now is also the time to be aware of the messages you might send without meaning. For example, if you say you want your team to enjoy a healthy work-life balance<\/a> and they can see you staying at the office way beyond home time, your message will be mixed at best and devalued at worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As author and Digital Business expert, Michael Schrage says in the Harvard Review of Business<\/a>, you\u2019re always leading by example whether you like it or not \u2013 so you may as well make the most of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Give Regular Recognition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best leaders know the power of recognising and rewarding the work around them. A leader doesn\u2019t make a business; a team does. That\u2019s why it\u2019s vital to acknowledge their work and the skills they bring to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t wait for those big wins or work milestones to recognise your employees. Regular, personal and considerate recognition is the best way to help build trust and self-esteem. At Mo, we know the value of giving employees a lift. That\u2019s why our recognition platform<\/a> makes it easy to celebrate special moments a boost with automated reminders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Don\u2019t Forget, You\u2019re a Work in Progress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just remember that you are a work in progress and that being adaptive and aware of workplace trends is also essential. Stay open to change, listen to your colleagues and look forward to expanding your knowledge and skills as you grow into your role.<\/p>\n\n\n

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