Stepping into a new leadership role is both incredibly exciting and daunting. Every day, I work with nonprofit leaders embarking on this new adventure; many of them have done it before, some with great success and some with missteps and lessons learned.
One of the most critical responsibilities you’ll face as a new leader is building and developing a cohesive, motivated, and high-performing team. Effective team building lays the foundation for delivering on your organization’s mission and driving impact. Here are key strategies that I’ve heard incredible leaders share that are essential for their team—and, ultimately, their organization’s success.
Understand Your Team and Staff’s Strengths, Challenges, and Opportunities for Growth
Listen and observe. Get to know your team members individually. Understand their skills, experiences, and areas where they excel. You can do this through one-on-one meetings, surveys, or assessments. Recognizing staff members’ strengths and growth areas allows you to ensure that their roles and responsibilities align with their capabilities and to identify development opportunities. You might unearth a skill or experience in a team member that hasn’t yet been tapped into in their current work, resulting in an opportunity for the organization.
Build Trust and Rapport
Trust is fundamental to a strong team. Start to build trust by being consistent, reliable, and honest in your interactions. Listen to what your staff has to say and be open to their input and feedback. Have empathy and support for team members’ personal and professional lives. Building rapport takes time, but you’ll see the payoff in stronger collaboration and team morale.
Foster Open Communication
Open communication is the backbone of a successful team. Encourage transparency and create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Regular team meetings, open-door policies, and anonymous suggestion boxes can help facilitate this. As a leader, you can model strong and effective communication by being approachable and responsive.
Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork
Encourage teamwork and collective problem-solving. Create opportunities for team members to work together on projects and initiatives in order to foster cross-team collaboration, strengthen relationships, and foster a sense of unity. Celebrating team wins helps to encourage a collective sense of responsibility and ownership.
Establish Clear Goals and Expectations
Setting clear, achievable goals is essential for team alignment and productivity. Make sure that staff at all levels, no matter their role, understand the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives. Be clear on how each team member plays a part in helping to achieve the mission. Break down these broad goals into clear objectives for each team member to create a roadmap for success.
Provide Opportunities for Professional Development
Investing in your team’s professional growth benefits both the individuals and the organization. As much as possible, provide and communicate a path for career advancement to keep your staff motivated and engaged.
Offer Constructive Feedback and Recognition
Regular feedback is crucial for development. Provide specific and actionable constructive feedback—and do so regularly. Recognize and celebrate achievements both big and small. Acknowledging successes and calling out team excellence can go a long way to boost morale and motivation.
Support Employee Wellness
Employees are seeking more and more flexibility and work-life balance from their employers. When team members feel their well-being is valued, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work and dedicated to the organization. As much as possible, offer flexible work schedules, encourage taking time away from work, and offer wellness programs.
Lead by Example
As a leader, your actions set the standard for the team. From day one, demonstrate the values and behaviors you expect from your team. Leading by example builds credibility and inspires your team to follow suit.
Adapt and Evolve
The needs of your team and organization are ever-evolving. Be open to feedback and willing to adjust. Staying adaptable and responsive to change helps your team remain resilient and effective. Make sure to communicate clearly about these changes and how they support the organization’s mission and vision.
As a new leader, you set the foundation for long-term success and impact. Building and developing a strong team is a continuous process that requires planning, patience, and empathy. By understanding your team’s strengths, fostering open communication, promoting collaboration, and supporting professional growth, you can create a cohesive and motivated team capable of driving your nonprofit’s mission forward.
