Stepping into your first management role is seldom easy. The real challenge lies not just in managing tasks but in shaping and nurturing your team’s culture. Team culture significantly impacts performance. As research reveals, three distinct elements define high-performing teams: Common understanding, psychological safety, and prosocial purpose. Let’s delve into each.

Common Understanding

Individuals bring unique skills and roles to a team. For the team to excel, members must understand their own roles and those of their colleagues. This involves:

• Recognizing individual expertise.
• Grasping assigned tasks and how they contribute to broader goals.
• Comprehending team members’ communication preferences.

To foster this understanding, introduce the “Manual of Me” exercise. It’s a simple tool where team members list:

• When they’re at their best.
• Their challenging moments.
• What others can rely on them for.
• What they need from others.

Sharing these insights in a team meeting can lead to deeper mutual understanding and an enhancement in team dynamics.

Psychological Safety

A team thrives when members can freely express their thoughts and opinions. It’s an environment where questioning, disagreeing, and learning from mistakes is encouraged. Importantly, it’s not about everyone agreeing but about disagreements focusing on tasks rather than individuals.

Promote psychological safety by leading with vulnerability and trust. Admitting your shortcomings is not a sign of weakness; it fosters an environment where team members feel they can also be genuine.

Prosocial Purpose

A feeling of contribution and impact is vital. Employees today don’t just want to know why their work is essential; they want to know who benefits from it. Sharing stories of the positive effects of the team’s work can be a potent motivator, making team members feel that they are part of something larger than themselves.

To instill this sense of purpose, regularly share stories that highlight the positive influence of your team’s work. This not only boosts morale but aligns individual efforts with the team’s broader objectives.

Bottom line: As a new manager, your role goes beyond mere task management. It’s about nurturing a culture. By fostering a shared understanding, creating a safe space for open dialogue, and highlighting the broader impact of your team’s work, you lay the foundation for not just a high-performing team, but a happy one.