Tips & tricks on how to lead large teams by our PMs

Leadership is an essential component of any successful business or organization. The role of a leader is even more critical when it comes to managing large teams. Managing large teams requires effective communication, coordination, and management to achieve the set goals and objectives. Leading large teams can be daunting, and many leaders struggle with it. That's why we reached out to some of our top-performing project managers to share their tips and tricks on effective leadership.

This blog will give you an insight into the strategies and techniques they employ to manage large teams, increase productivity, and ensure success. Whether you're a new or experienced leader, the insights shared by our PMs will help you lead your team more effectively and achieve your goals.
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Gain valuable insights on how to be a successful leader

By learning from the experiences of successful project managers, you can gain valuable insights into the best practices and techniques for leading large teams. Effective leadership involves creating a shared vision, fostering collaboration, and motivating team members to provide optimum performance. Our project managers will share tips and tricks on effective communication and efficient task delegation. Your team will be inspired! They will also offer insights into managing conflict, building trust, and establishing accountability to ensure that your team stays on track and achieves its objectives. With the advice shared in this blog, you can become a more effective leader and take your team to the next level.

The most striking differences between managing small & large teams

Managing small and large teams each come with its own set of unique challenges. One of the most striking differences is the level of complexity involved. It almost feels like comparing a walk in the park to a hike up Mount Everest. 

Small teams are like a picnic in the park - it's easy to communicate, and everyone's usually on the same page. Managing large teams can feel like organizing a carnival - you should learn how to juggle many things at once, ensure everyone is happy and that the clowns don't steal the show. It requires a more intricate communication and management structure to ensure everyone gets aligned with common goals and objectives. Delegating responsibilities effectively to avoid micromanaging feels like trying to ride two horses at once - it's not easy, and it's not pretty when it goes wrong. 

As a leader, it's essential to understand the unique strengths and weaknesses of both small and large teams and adapt your management style accordingly. Keeping communication channels open, empowering team members, and maintaining a positive team culture are the keys to success - think of them as the secret sauce to your team's success.

Managing a team, whether small or large, is no easy feat. But according to Edin, the most significant difference between the two is the amount of time invested in the team itself. 

"Managing a large team is like being the conductor of an orchestra," he explains. "You have to make sure everyone is playing the right tune and that no one is playing too loud or too soft." And just like a game of Telephone, miscommunication can lead to disastrous results. "The biggest errors happen when the team plays Telephone, and you need to ensure that doesn't happen." 

While it's easier to direct and align two people than ten, managing a large team can be the ultimate challenge for any manager. So, if you want to lead a successful team, invest time in communication, and remember to keep the orchestra in tune!

Building relationships that will result in a highly-efficient team

If you want to be a successful project manager, it's crucial to establish ground rules from the very beginning. Setting clear expectations and communicating the goals to the team is essential. However, it's equally important to achieve the balance between building relationships and establishing authority. As the project manager, you shouldn't allow your crew to observe you as another team member. You must command the respect of your team members while still maintaining positive relationships with them. 

"You can't get into the team acting like you are a friend to everyone and expect the team members to respect your authority later on," says Vedin.

Building relationships with your team members is essential, but you must ensure they don't perceive you as someone they can take advantage of. The team must understand that there are consequences for missed deadlines or delivering subpar work. With clear expectations and a strong sense of authority, the team can work together to achieve the project's goal.

The foundation of every good relationship is trust, and that is the core principle of efficient team performance. How to build trust in a professional setting? Ensure that what you promise is what you deliver. Integrity is crucial, it is something that you can’t skip!

Building trust is a long process and it breaks in seconds. While building a trust bond, it is better to underpromise and overdeliver than the other way around. As a manager, you should keep everyone's interests, wants, needs, and expectations in mind. You have to ensure that your team doesn’t feel let down.