Printer Friendly Version

Experienced intranet team members work very closely together. They form bonds and even friendships through shared experiences -- and they probably have the war stories to prove it. So what happens when a new intranet leader is introduced into a tightly knit team that's worked together for years and tries to lead them?

Take the time to meet with your new team. It might not be possible to meet everyone one-on-one -- especially if it's a big team. But at the very least, hold an "introduction meeting" with the entire team (the sooner the better).

Don't try too hard to be a "buddy boss". Everyone likes to be liked, but if you're the new kid on the block and you try to be everyone's friend, it will come off looking like you're trying too hard to seek validation. It reeks of desperation and can end up being a great source of humor amongst team members.

Impress through actions, not words. New team leaders might be tempted to recite their entire resume -- listing all the things they've done and all the places they've worked -- in an attempt to gain respect. This can come off looking very tacky. Don't talk about what you do, just do it.

Don't micromanage. Unless you want a full-scale mutiny on your hands, don't go into an experienced team and start barking orders like you're the messiah leading his or her people to some promised land. Trust your team and realize that they have been doing they're jobs for a long time and understand what's required to carry it out.

Don't take it personally. Not everyone is going to be welcoming right from the start. Your team might even seem a little distant at first. It takes time to win people's trust, so don't look at this behavior as some kind of personal attack.

Make yourself available. The first few weeks are going to be crucial for new intranet leaders. You need to make a positive impression on team members in a very short time. And you can't do this by ignoring them or giving them the bum's rush every time they wish to speak with you.

Have a clear mandate going in. New intranet leaders must have a clearly defined mandate, and it should be made clear to the team members. Otherwise they will all be thinking, "What the heck's he/she doing here?"

If it ain't broke ... Unless there are serious workflow or cooperation problems with the team, don't tinker around with something that already works. It will seem like an ego-driven move, done solely to put your "signature" on it.

Communicate your plans. Whenever a new supervisor or leader enters a team, employees might get a little paranoid about their job or role in the team. It's natural to fear of the unknown so make sure you communicate your plans and intentions for the team during your introduction meeting.

Paul Chin (www.paulchinonline.com) is a freelance writer and journalist. He has previously worked in the aerospace and competitive intelligence industries as a software developer and intranet specialist. He currently writes on a wide range of IT topics, including systems development and security, digital communications and media, content management and web design.

Printer Friendly Version