@jason_nft – You’re a lucky man 7bnewcomernewcomer And you get to work with a team of like-minded individuals who share your interests and support your work as an engineer. This is a great combination, and so it’s not always easy juggling multiple roles in a company with just one engineer. But JASON NFT, founder and CEO of JMFT, delivers! As the co-founder of several startups including Buzzfeed and Time Warp, he knows first-hand how it can be difficult to manage multiple responsibilities. Thanks to his experience, we’ve created this awesome list of 7 tips for managing your team in a dynamic tech company:
Plan your week before you show up
While JASON NFT’s team at Buzzfeed is known for their viral videos and tens of thousands of followers, he’s also a productive writer who has decades of experience in the business world. When he’s on-site in his office, he’ll make it a point to plan out his week ahead of time. When he’s on the go, he’ll make a list of things he wants to do during his week that he doesn’t want to forget about. This planning can help you avoid missing out on tons of great information and opportunities to network.
Set boundaries and expectations for everyone
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to boundaries and expectations. Some people want to be the center of attention while others prefer to keep to themselves. We all have valid points here, and while you may need to communicate with your team members privately to establish expectations, you should always remember that you’re a team player and have the right to make your own decisions as to what’s important to the company.
Ask for feedback before making changes
It’s easy to get fun-faced when you’re doing something new, but it’s also easy to forget your responsibilities. When you first start getting comfortable with new responsibilities, it can feel like a leap of faith. But the more you do it, the more you start to recognize the value being an engineer can bring to the table. It’s not just what you sell that’s going to drive your business — it’s also how you present your solutions to your team members so they can see what you can do for them too. If you’re getting feedback from your team members, don’t assume they know what they need to do for success. Ask them for specific examples, and let them try to make the same solution work for all of your stakeholders. This kind of feedback is invaluable.
Be empathetic and kind
As a team, we’re all going to have our share of frustrations. Some of them are going to be sweet, some are going to be critical, and some are going to be somewhere in-between. The key is to be kind and empathetic. When you Have a Problem, solve it! When you Have a Problem That Can’t be Solved, Write a Code of Conduct! When you Have a Problem That Can’t Be Solved odishadiscoms but Can Be Resolved, Accept Your Work Harder! In general, be empathetic and kind in your approach to team members even when you’re feeling like a total outcast. It can feel great to do your job with a flourish, but when you don’t take the time for yourself and your team members, you run the risk of looking judgmental and critical when someone gets swiped with a problem. Be kind and patient with those who can’t do the work for themselves. You’re doing this for the company, and these are your people — you have to take care of them.
Don’t be afraid to shake things up
There are lots of ways to do things in business — and there are also a few ways to do them with a lot of uncertainty. In our fast-moving, constantly changing tech world, where is every company’s position at any given moment? It can be tough to know where you stand in the overallness of what’s happening in the world. It can be even more tough to know when there’s a chance of success. This is the kind of uncertainty that can be a real turn-off for some team members. Shake things up, and you increase the likelihood that one of them will take the leap of faith and start their own business.
Be an active listener
When you have a problem to solve, it’s easy to get enamored with your own ideas. You can be so busy trying to solve others’ problems that you miss the opportunity to talk with others about what you’re going against. As an engineer, you need to sit down and listen to other teams discuss their problems and learn from each other. This doesn’t mean that you have to read or understand everything that’s going on in the other team’s room — but you do have to take the time to listen and give helpful feedback as you go.
Wrapping up
As your team digitalnewshour leader, JASON NFT offers a unique perspective on how to manage teams in a competitive industry. From managing teams with a broad range of interests to managing teams with unique demands, he brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a team leader, you’re not only in charge of your team — you’re also in charge of your company. By taking these tips and applying them to your team, you can help your company reach its full potential.