How to build a truly autonomous team
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How to build a truly autonomous teamArguably the most frustrating part of being a business owner or manager is having to sacrifice your own time to ensure everyone else has what they need to get their work done. When I was leading a team in my small business, I used to dread walking into the office and was stuck in the same cycle every day, until I realized that I had several opportunities to build a truly autonomous team. Below are 4 strategies that I used to build an autonomous team, and that allowed me to drive my business forward. 1) I set boundaries in my 'open-door policy' Without clear boundaries, an open-door policy can lead to constant interruptions and reduced productivity. Furthermore, it can often have the opposite intended effect, as employees may feel hesitant to approach leadership out of fear of rejection, or worse. I created a balance of openness and efficiency by setting a schedule for my 'open' hours, outlining what types of issues my staff could bring in, and provided them with a framework for finding solutions on their own. 2) I established a clear communication channel + structure for my team Developing structured channels and protocols ensures that information and instruction flows smoothly, without the need for constant supervision and clarification. I carefully chose the right tools and platforms that allowed my team to collaborate AND obtain the information and resources they need at any time. I also created a feedback and check-in system that allowed every team member to feel heard and empowered. 3) I provided them with reliable + comprehensive resources This is the most time-consuming step of building an autonomous team, but it pays dividends later when you have all of the time and energy you need to drive your business forward. I went into extreme detail when creating these resources, as I wanted to ensure that my team members wouldn't have a single doubt about what to do at any point in their workflows. I documented and stored everything where they could easily access it, and made sure to provide continuous updates and training to keep these resources relevant and accurate. 4) I learned how to delegate tasks effectively Simply forwarding tasks to your staff and assuming they can easily take them over is a surefire way to have them end up right back on your plate. You may be strapped for time, but you’ll lose infinitely more precious hours if you don’t properly hand off the tasks you want your staff to complete. I took the time to really understand each of my employees' skill sets so that I could match the right tasks to the right team member. I also met with each employee one-on-one to fully understand their capacity and provide the training and context they need to perform the task successfully without my involvement. For details on what goes into each of these steps, click the button below to read the full article on my blog:
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I hope you found something helpful or insightful here - please reply back and let me know what topics you’d like me to cover in future issues. See you next Thursday! -Anais P.S. If you enjoyed reading this, please send it to someone who might find it helpful as well. If you were forwarded this email, please consider subscribing to receive future issues and follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more business and leadership content. Are you a service-based business owner or leader who feels stuck and needs direction on streamlining your operations or managing your team? Here's how I can help: Clarity Call Coaching Session: A 90-minute, 1:1 coaching session where I help you refocus and clarify your goals so you can pivot with ease and continue growing your business and team. Sign up here to get started. Business Essentials Assessment: A comprehensive audit & action plan that helps you identify gaps and gain clarity on where to focus your efforts & resources so you can stop feeling stuck and start moving forward. Apply for an assessment here. 1:1 Business Coaching Program: My signature 3 or 6-month coaching program where I help you break free from overwhelm and decision fatigue by providing you with the focus, accountability, and direction you need to reach your goals. Book a Discovery Call to learn more. |
Anais Babajanian
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