How To Be A Better Team Manager In 2023
2022 was a challenging year for managers, with rapid changes in work trends and economic pressures. The Great Resignation led workers to seek work-life balance through quiet quitting, four-day workweeks, distributed teams, and employee analytics. Managers had to adapt to fluctuating team priorities and company policies while striving to make new work modes succeed. Gallup found managers are even likelier than those they manage to experience burnout.
In 2023, managers must embrace change, communicate effectively, and empathize with their teams. Hybrid work, artificial intelligence, and specific tools are becoming the status quo. Managers must avoid change for change’s sake and adopt new ways of working smartly. For example, shifting performance metrics from hours in seats to tasks completed can create a flexible and results-oriented work environment suited to hybrid work. Managers should introduce their teams to the latest technologies and allow them to decide what would benefit their work.
The pandemic has led to a decline in mental health in the workplace due to stress, isolation, and job insecurity. To counteract these adverse effects, managers must cultivate an empathetic work environment. Support and understanding should be freely given and received. Recognizing each employee’s unique trials and tribulations and finding ways to alleviate them can contribute to a more positive and productive environment. Regular check-ins, providing resources and support for mental health, and promoting a culture of openness and understanding can help.
Transparency serves to align teams and alleviate anxieties. When team members are kept in the loop about important decisions and changes, they feel valued and included in the process. Clarity and transparency around tasks and expectations ensure a smooth and predictable workflow in a turbulent environment. Managers should be open to feedback and suggestions from team members. Creating a culture of open communication and actively seeking input from team members can foster collaboration and trust, leading to higher engagement and productivity.
In 2023, managers must offer stability and demonstrate leadership to steer teams into the unknown. The key themes are stability and structured progress, and those who keep poised and forward-looking in rough waters will be worth their weight in gold.
The article is “How To Be A Better Team Manager In 2023.“