How to Manage Others When You’ve Only Managed Yourself
As an entrepreneur, you're likely accustomed to long hours and being the sole force behind your business's success. However, a time may come when you realize that to sustain or expand your business, building a team is essential.
Transitioning from a solo entrepreneur to a team manager is often an emotional journey, especially if it's your first time in a leadership role. You might feel a mix of excitement, anxiety, uncertainty, and even a lack of confidence, facing the new challenge of leading others rather than just managing your workload.
Yet, the truth is, you possess all the necessary skills for team management, honed through your entrepreneurial journey. Reflect on your successes and challenges; these experiences have been a form of self-leadership, valuable in guiding others towards success.
Consider moments in your business journey when you felt driven and achieved success. These instances likely involved clarity in understanding the significance of your work and breaking down tasks into actionable steps. Confidence in your abilities, the willingness to learn, prioritizing goals (and your well-being), and perseverance in face of challenges were key.
At LFY Consulting, we define these essential attributes as The Three C’s of Self-Leadership©: Clarity, Confidence, and Control. As a successful entrepreneur, you've been applying these principles, and now as a leader, it's your turn to foster these qualities in your team.
Here's how you can implement The Three C’s of Self-Leadership for your team:
Clarity: Ensure a clear understanding of the mission, values, and objectives. Communicate the company's vision and understand your employees' motivations. Define project scopes and tasks clearly and maintain regular check-ins to ensure understanding.
Confidence: Build your team's confidence by acknowledging their progress and achievements. Provide them with the necessary resources to excel and offer opportunities for personal and professional growth tailored to their needs.
Control: Focus on emotional well-being and work-life balance. Establish and enforce a conducive work environment and code of conduct. Stay attuned to team dynamics and address issues proactively, including disciplinary actions when needed.
Like growing a business, leading a team is a continuous learning process. Be prepared for trials and errors, understanding that setbacks are part of the journey to success.
Enjoy this new phase, focusing on developing clarity, confidence, and control. Remember, effective leadership starts with self-leadership, a skill you've already mastered as an entrepreneur.
*Article originally appeared at https://parsnip.me/blog/how-to-manage-when-youve-only-managed-yourself/
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