Managing people can be a tricky job. On the one hand, you are responsible for defining the project and identifying deliverables and goals; on the other hand, you have to motivate and lead your team to perform the outlined tasks to achieve results. As you’re in charge of leading a group of people to accomplish a common task, you need to learn how to run an effective team to achieve desired results.

Team management entails the person(s), methods, techniques, and activities employed to coordinate and organize a group of individuals to perform a specific task. It includes communication, goal setting, project management, leadership, performance management, etc. When good team management is implemented, tasks are conducted efficiently, and challenges are better managed to the organization’s good.

Here are some tips that can help you get better at running your team effectively:

• Clearly state goals and purposes: Why does the team exist? What is the function of the team? How should the team operate? Answering these questions gives the team direction and an area of focus. Team members have a picture of what they are in the team for and their expected result. Achievable goals should be set for the short term and long term and communicated clearly to the team.
• Communicate effectively: Projects, deadlines, outcomes, and other important details should be communicated on time and efficiently. Ensure your emails and memos are clear and concise such that there is no room for misunderstandings. Communication is not complete without feedback, so ensure your team members understand the information you passed and encourage them to share their opinions.
• Be decisive: Decision-making is inevitable when you’re in a leadership role. However, it is essential to balance your authority with input from your team. While you should let your team have a say in the decisions that affect them, know that you have the last say, and you are responsible for whatever decision is made.
• Establish trust in team relationships: Trust is essential for a lasting relationship among team members. Your team members have to trust that you will fulfill a promise. You have to trust that they will deliver on their work, and likewise, they have to trust that their colleagues will be available to work with them on a task. Establishing trust promotes initiative and respect within the team such that when a person is not available, the team is not rendered incapable or dead.
• Delegate tasks appropriately: A team leader should not bear the team’s burden alone. Delegate tasks to your team members according to their individual strengths and weaknesses. Ensure to define their roles and state them explicitly to prevent duplication and maximize efficiency.

Finally, while improving your personal skills as a team manager, you can also use team management applications and tools to assist in your work. For example, you can use Google Drive, Slack, Scoro, Podio, Google Hangouts, Neetrix, etc. These tools can facilitate quick communication and transparency within the team and help to monitor performance rates.