If you are building a big team, you will be working with a lot of people.
Working with a lot of people can sometimes feel like squashing water. It’s impossible.
So that’s why learning how to manage your time with your team the right way is so important. Otherwise, you’re only going to get burned out constantly trying to deal with everyone’s problems.
I actually learned this hard way when I first started my business. I wanted to hold everyone’s hand and help everyone with everything. Needless to say, I got completely exhausted and would feel stressed and burnt out.
If you can relate, I’ve been there and I’m here to share what has worked for me.
Tip #1 – Have set business hours for your team
Let your team know the hours you are available. That way, they know when you are available to work with them and treat their business like a business as well.
You must set this standard from the beginning. When someone gets started on your team, they will need your help with three-way calls or chats or meetings. They need to know when you are available and that they can’t call you in the middle of the night or late in the evening without clearing it with you in advance.
Let your team members know when they can expect you to be available to help them if they need your help so you don’t put yourself in a position where your team thinks you’re available 24/7.
Tip #2 – Be selective with who you spend your time with
There is a difference between group/team meetings and individual one-on-one meetings.
For example, if someone on my team is doing the right things and operating their business the way they should, I would put them in the category of having the merits to get more of my personal time.
If a team member is constantly complaining and not doing what they are supposed to be doing, that is a sign to limit your personal time with them. They are energy vampires and will only zap your energy.
For a qualified team member doing the right things and needing more help to solve some of their challenges, I am more likely to have a one-on-one conversation with them or have a video conference call with them.
The people on the team who aren’t performing as much, they would qualify for more group time. This means they would be invited to join in weekly team calls or group video conference calls.
So I hope you can see why distinguishing who you spend time with is critical. Literally decide who your leaders are. Those are the ones you want to spend more individual time with.
It’s something that will take some time to determine, so keep in mind and watch how each person works. It will take you approximately one month working with new team members to know who you are willing to spend more time with.
Note that it doesn’t alway have to be based solely on results alone. You may have a team member is super motivated, taking massive action, and persistent with their business. They may be doing all the right things, however, it’s taking them a little longer to produce results.
Tip #3 – Schedule a weekly team call
You may or may not do this. If you don’t, start scheduling a weekly team meeting. This will be a chance for everyone on the team to join with you for some group time once a week.
Instead of having several meetings or conversations, you have one set time during the whole week that everyone can get the same information, connect with one another and ask you questions. You will be more effective in delivering a strategy they can take back to their business to implement.
Tip #4 – Point the way, don’t do it for them
This one took me a long time to learn. I would always try to learn how to do everything myself or be the one to answer all the questions and help with everyone’s problems. Eventually, I learned that even though I do know the answers, I don’t have to be everyone’s “go-to” in order to answer the question. It was a game changer when I figured out how to point people in the right direction so they would learn for themselves.
You will want to do the same thing. Get really good at pointing people on your team to the correct resources and teach them to do the same with their team mates. This is easily duplicatable.
Google and YouTube are definitely my best friends. You want to teach your team the same.
My company also has a wealth of information and resources that can answer questions. In addition, we have so many templates for marketing that anyone can use.
Get your team members to save the company’s corporate phone number and customer service lines into their phones. While you are a great resource, you are not the only person who can answer their questions.
PRO TIP: I also am very specific about what I can help with. I’ve learned to separate business building from product related support. I make it clear to my team that any business building related needs they may have, I am available. For product questions, I have them research online or contact our company’s product support department. If you answer every product question for every team member and handle all questions and requests pertaining to team building…you will quickly find out that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
So in summary, make sure you get good at pointing people in the right direction! 🙂 Encourage your team members to learn to do the same and become leaders too.
Summary
Learn how to teach and condition your team members to be a leader. Hold the space for them to become the leader you know they are capable of. Duplicate yourself.
The sad alternative is that you hold their hands too much and are everything to everyone. By doing so, you are not only doing yourself a disservice, you are doing them a disservice.
By teaching your team members and leaders how to think on their own, you are ensuring that their success can happen without you. If something is really challenging, and you happen to not be available, they will know what to do with confidence.
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