From the course: Managing Teams

Manager as protector

From the course: Managing Teams

Start my 1-month free trial

Manager as protector

“

- Avoiding office politics is a noble ambition, but it isn't realistic or strategic. The reality is office politics are a part of most organizations and pretending they don't exist or avoiding them doesn't position you or your team for success. In this brief video, I'll share five things effective managers do to look out for their teammates. First, ask for resources. You are in the best position to request the resources your team will need to be successful. Do you have the budget you need for the goals and objectives your team is pursuing? Do you have the right space for collaborative and individual work? Are there enough people on your team? If there's anything your unit needs to boost morale or productivity, you should be regularly making those requests. This is tied to my second recommendation, which is to advocate for your team. There may be unreasonable requests or expectations that land on your team's metaphorical doorstep. You can set expectations with your peers, other managers, or even with your boss about what your team can and should be taking on at any given time. It's up to you to shield your team from unnecessary headaches and communicate your team's capacity accurately. This is why it's important to share your unit's successes. This is my third recommendation. Make sure your boss and the people a few layers above you in the organization are familiar with the work your team does, and more importantly, it's successes. What contribution are you making to the broader organizational goals? You want these things to be top of mind for the senior leadership in your organization. The more complex your organization, the more potential there is for inconsistent or even competing information to reach your teammates. I can't tell you how many times I've worked with leaders in a large corporation who give me conflicting information about a project or initiative. Protective leaders filter out the noise their teammates are hearing to help them stay focused. You can clarify any questions the people in your unit may have by being as transparent as you can about what's happening in the broader organization. Finally, provide context for your unit about your goals and the work you're doing. It's important for your team to understand where their work fits in the broader picture of the organization. If I were to poll your team, would they all be able to tell me how their day-to-day efforts help your organization towards its goals? This context is useful because it not only helps your team see the value of their work, it also gives them a sense of purpose. At the end of the day, your teammates need to believe you will look out for their best interests. One way you can make them feel more secure in their roles is to actively protect your team.

Contents