7 Ways to Successfully Manage a Growing Team
Written By AD&V®
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | AD&V® is dedicated to advanced and energy-efficient sustainable architecture & interior design that enhances people’s experience of the world and improves their lives.
MANY BUSINESSES FACE THE GROWING PAINS OF AN EXPANDING TEAM.
Even though managing a growing team can be challenging, with effort, commitment, organization, and communication, you can minimize the struggles it brings. Here are some ways we’ve learned to successfully manage a growing team.
1. IMPLEMENT ONBOARDING PROCESSES
Implementing an onboarding process will help you successfully manage a growing team. By creating a framework describing what needs to be done before, during, and after a new employee starts working at the company, you can control a new hire’s experience and make sure they have all the tools and information they need to set them up to succeed at your organization.
We’ve seen firsthand how an organized onboarding process provides clear expectations and comfort to new hires, keeps the team on track with the new team member’s progress, and helps prevent employee turnover.
2. SET CLEAR GOALS & EXPECTATIONS
Setting clear goals and expectations is another way to manage a growing team successfully. Letting your employees know what’s expected of them gives them clarity on what their responsibilities are from the start.
Allowing your team time for basic training, learning processes, and reviewing the company mission and values helps to set clear expectations and prevent employees from feeling lost.
3. CHECK IN REGULARLY WITH THE TEAM
Consistent communication is essential to managing a growing team. Frequently check in with individual team members and project teams through group or personal chats, message postings, audio calls, or video conferences to discuss work progress, answer questions, and provide feedback.
Listening to your team members and having frequent communication will help avoid misunderstandings and keep everyone aligned on the same priorities.
4. HAVE A GREAT OFFICE CULTURE
Office culture plays a crucial role in your team’s growth and the company’s success. You’ve heard the saying, “Culture eats strategy for lunch.” Providing a positive working environment is a great way to support and invest in your team.
Part of having a great office culture is promoting and encouraging activities and initiatives that foster teamwork. With a supportive office culture and the right motivation, your employees and business will continue to grow, scale, and succeed!
5. CREATE AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
An organizational chart is essential to any growing team since it clarifies team roles, whom each person reports to, and who has the final say on decisions. It also details clear career advancement paths for eager employees to move up in your growing team.
A Stanford Graduate School of Business study showed that employees prefer hierarchal relationships to equal ones, as they’re easier to perceive and remember. Organizational charts are essential to every business, improving internal structures and aiding communication.
6. SHOW APPRECIATION
Letting your team know that you care about them and that they are valuable to your organization is essential to managing your growing team. Celebrate team members by giving them special shoutouts for their achievements and thank them for everything they do.
Recognizing your team's efforts and showing them appreciation will keep them motivated to do their best and keep growing.
7. TAKE ACTION ON TEAM FEEDBACK
Considering your team’s input is extremely important when managing a growing team. Feedback helps improve company policies, general systems, and work processes. Ask for your team’s information through surveys, suggestion boxes, or Q&As at the end of meetings.
This feedback provides invaluable information that allows the leadership team to understand what is happening weekly, so they can pivot and adapt quickly if needed.
HELP YOUR TEAM & BUSINESS THRIVE
Managing a growing team can be challenging, but the struggles can be diminished by leveraging your people’s resources through organization, communication, collaboration, engagement, trust, and support. With these tips, you can efficiently manage a growing team and a thriving business. Best of luck!