Working on a team can be challenging due to differences in how each employee chooses to approach their work. So if working with others is considered to be hard, then leading a team is that much harder. Everybody has different strengths and weaknesses, and it’s the leader’s job to utilize everyone’s work styles in a way that maximizes productivity.
How to Handle Different Work Styles Among Employees
1. Find the Right Person for the Job
A good leader is able to identify which employees will succeed at a certain task and delegate accordingly. Steady, independent workers may do well with solo projects and deadlines. Meanwhile, social butterflies will probably thrive on a small team with a common objective. This strategy should also be applied when assigning roles where people will be working close to one another. For example, two employees with an independent work style will probably have an easier time sharing space together. On the other hand, one employee with an independent work style may not appreciate being paired with a social person who enjoys back-and-forth teamwork.
2. Set the Right Expectations
Each person on a team will likely have their own opinion on what success looks like and what should be done to reach it. To keep everyone on track, the leader must set clear expectations from the start. Once roles have been assigned based on individual strengths, the next step is to focus everyone’s attention on one shared goal and empower each employee to reach it in their own way. At this point, the leader is also responsible for smoothing over disputes and reminding everyone of the end goal. This is why having a clear vision from the start is vital to managing a dynamic team.
Russ Ewell is the founder HTG, E-Soccer, and Digital Scribbler Inc. His work focuses on using technology to overcome human limits. Today Russ’ focus is on “leading good.” In order to be successful, Russ believes that it is critical that businesses remember to give back to the community and ensure that the work environment is supportive to employees. Russ intends to take his leadership experience and help others learn how to lead good. Russ Ewell is committed to helping others both as a leader in the church and as an entrepreneur in the technology industry.
Russ Ewell son wanted to play baseball with other children, regardless of their disabilities. This spurred Russ to create E-Soccer in 2000 - a volunteer program, which is free for all, that encourages children of all abilities to play the sport together. Over the years the program has expanded to other sports such as basketball and fitness activities like karate.
Russ believes that as children with disabilities become adults, it’s imperative that society makes these individuals feel included. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and most adults with disabilities don’t have many of the same opportunities in regards to education and employment. Russ Ewell and his wife, Gail Ewell, founded the Hope Technology School, in part, to equip young adults with the skills they need to excel in society.
Russ is passionate about technology, and looks forward to continuing to use technology to help individuals overcome any limitations they face no matter what they are.
To learn more about Russ Ewell, visit his website at RussEwell.org
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Russ Ewell 