Management Skills: The Art Of Organising A Group

Far too many management skills focus on the one-on-one scenario, such as recruitment, appraisals, mentoring and so forth. However, very often, you're managing a team as a whole instead of a set of individuals, and sometimes you will have to manage them as a group rather than one by one. Here are a few examples of group situations you may come across as a manager, and how to handle them.

Group training

Since group training is often cheaper for the business than one-to-one sessions, you may find that you have to arrange it several times during your management career. First, assess the different skill and training level of the individuals that make up the group - if you've got one expert, why not have them train the rest?

If you have to book an external company, assess the best day when your staff can have the whole day to train: trying to do it in a rush on a morning or an afternoon rarely works. Make sure that peer pressure is not causing one or two group members to be silent if they need more help - as manager, you should know the skill level of your workforce and be sensitive to their needs.

Icebreaking and morale upkeep - better in a group

Group activities, although sometimes loathed by some, can prove to be successful as an icebreaker, reward for the team, or morale boost. It doesn't have to be expensive where creativity can suffice, or even if it's just a group drink in the pub nearest the office! Team building is an essential management job - a fractured team is an unhappy team, and it can give rise to bullying and scapegoating if not managed properly.

Group meetings and announcements

Like training, group activity such as meetings that everyone should attend need to be timed in a sensitive way. If you and your team are up against a deadline, it's a bad time to call them all into a boardroom for an hour (unless, of course, the meeting is about the project!). There may be someone who can't make it - make sure they catch up with what went on so they don't feel left out, especially if the meeting is sensitive, such as redundancy announcements.

Group presentations in the external environment

Sometimes, you and your team have to operate as a group to the outside world, such as selling to clients, giving a presentation in a business to business setting, or even fun things such as award ceremonies. In these scenarios, give each group member a role that befits them and make sure that any disagreements are ironed out far before the event: the last thing you want to do is try and smooth over issues in front of other people.

Managing groups can sometimes be a challenge, but preparation for all the above is the key. Plus, of course, not to forget that groups are composed of individuals and you can fall back on your one-to-one skills to manage these so that the group gels more. A united team is a happy, productive team - and you will be seen to be a successful manager as a result.