You need to manage a team in Business Strategy. What do you do first?

Managing a team in business strategy is a challenging and rewarding role that requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and experience. You need to be able to communicate effectively, motivate and inspire others, solve problems creatively, and align your team's goals with the organization's vision and mission. But what do you do first when you are assigned to lead a new or existing team in business strategy? Here are some steps that can help you get started and set your team up for success.

1 Assess your team

The first thing you need to do is to assess your team's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). This will help you understand the current situation, the potential challenges, and the areas for improvement. You can use various tools and methods to conduct a SWOT analysis, such as surveys, interviews, observation, or brainstorming. The key is to involve your team members in the process and get their feedback and input. This will also help you build trust and rapport with them and identify their expectations and needs.

Add your perspective

Saad Bin SABIR

Legal Counsel | Bridging Law & Business | Startups, Tech & AI | Compliance & Taxation | Transaction Advisor | Contract Management | Venture Capital | Dispute Resolution | Strategic Insights
Report contribution
Assess Team Dynamics: 🧐 Understand each team member's strengths, weaknesses, and working styles through individual meetings and team assessments. Identify any potential conflicts or skill gaps that need addressing. Set Clear Objectives: 🎯 Establish clear, achievable goals for the team that align with the company's overall business strategy. Ensure everyone understands their role and responsibilities in achieving these objectives. Encourage Collaboration: 🤝 Foster an environment of open communication and collaboration where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and providing feedback. Implement regular check-ins and brainstorming sessions to encourage innovation and problem-solving.

Like

2 Define your objectives

The next thing you need to do is to define your team's objectives and how they align with the organization's strategy. You need to have a clear and shared vision of what you want to achieve, why it matters, and how you will measure your progress and success. You can use the SMART framework to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for your team. You should also communicate your objectives to your team and other stakeholders and ensure that everyone is on the same page and committed to them.

Add your perspective

Jenny Hoffmann, PhD

CEO at Biorithm | Board Member | Strategy | Growth | Leadership | Chief | Sustainability | Innovation | P&L | R&D | LinkedIn Top Voice | Author | Podcaster
Report contribution
Make sure to clearly share what you expect of the team overall and of how individuals engage. It is important to revisit what you expect regularly to reinforce your expectations and also to demonstrate how to lead by example.

Like

3 Plan your actions

The third thing you need to do is to plan your actions and how you will execute your strategy. You need to break down your objectives into manageable tasks and assign roles and responsibilities to your team members. You should also consider the resources, budget, timeline, and risks involved in your plan and how you will manage them. You can use various tools and techniques to plan your actions, such as Gantt charts, work breakdown structures, risk matrices, or action plans. The important thing is to have a clear and realistic plan that guides your team's actions and helps you monitor and control your performance.

Add your perspective

Mubeen K.

Strategic Account Management Leader | Driving Alliances, Partnerships, and Market Growth | SaaS & Hospitality Expert
Report contribution
When managing a business strategy team, first assess the skills, strengths, and weaknesses of each team member. Define clear objectives and strategies aligned with the organization's goals. Establish transparent communication channels and regular check-ins to monitor progress and address any challenges. Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, encouraging team members to contribute ideas and feedback.

Like

4 Develop your skills

The fourth thing you need to do is to develop your skills and competencies as a team leader in business strategy. You need to be able to adapt to changing situations, deal with uncertainty and complexity, and foster innovation and collaboration. You also need to have strong emotional intelligence, communication, and interpersonal skills to manage your team effectively and resolve any conflicts or issues that may arise. You can develop your skills by taking courses, reading books, joining networks, or seeking mentorship or coaching. You should also seek feedback from your team and others and reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement.

Add your perspective

5 Engage your team

The fifth thing you need to do is to engage your team and motivate them to perform at their best. You need to create a positive and supportive team culture that values diversity, inclusion, and feedback. You also need to recognize and reward your team's achievements, celebrate their successes, and provide them with opportunities for growth and development. You can engage your team by involving them in decision making, giving them autonomy and ownership, providing them with clear and constructive feedback, and creating a fun and enjoyable work environment.

Add your perspective

6 Balance your work and life

The sixth thing you need to do is to balance your work and life as a team leader in business strategy. You need to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being and avoid burnout and stress. You also need to maintain a healthy and satisfying relationship with your family, friends, and other aspects of your life. You can balance your work and life by setting boundaries, prioritizing your tasks, delegating when possible, managing your time and energy, and finding hobbies and activities that relax and recharge you.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Nuno Martins Alves

Six Sigma Master Black Belt | Certified ScrumMaster | Operational Excellence | Business Strategy | Change Management
Report contribution
Introduce agile methodologies and flexible work practices that allow your team to adapt quickly to changes in the business environment. Agile practices encourage iterative development and flexibility, enabling teams to respond swiftly to feedback and changes without being bogged down by traditional, rigid planning processes. Actively seek and leverage the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives within your team. This diversity can lead to more innovative solutions and strategies by incorporating a wide range of ideas and viewpoints. Create an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued and empowered to share their insights and ideas. Establish open channels of communication and encourage transparency within the team

Like

You need to manage a team in Business Strategy. What do you do first?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your team

2 Define your objectives

3 Plan your actions

4 Develop your skills

5 Engage your team

6 Balance your work and life

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Strategy

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Business Strategy

More relevant reading

You need to manage a team in Business Strategy. What do you do first?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your team

2 Define your objectives

3 Plan your actions

4 Develop your skills

5 Engage your team

6 Balance your work and life

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Strategy

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills