Leaders need to speak up to advocate for resources, have hard conversations to increase team productivity, manage conflict in the team, and hire the right talent.
By Assertive Way
Key Takeaways
- Leaders and managers that act in a passive way struggle to be effective.
- Leaders need to advocate for resources, to have hard conversations to increase team productivity, to manage conflict in the team, and to hire the right talent.
- Learn the basics of assertive communication in 40 min with this training.
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Leaders need to advocate for resources, to have hard conversations to increase team productivity, to manage conflict in the team, and to hire the right talent.
The first time I managed a team, I struggled with my passive personality.
I was 24 years old and the team had experienced several managers in the previous 2 years who did not improve their work situation. They were frustrated with the constant changes, skeptical of my ability, and suspicious about my agenda.
A team member constantly complained about me, the company, and her work. At one point, she explicitly refused to work on what I had asked while complaining. She did this aloud in front of my entire team and several other teams, which could reduce the team morale and my reputation.
I was terrified because I knew that others were noticing how I would react. I did my best to handle the situation. However, I still probably came across as passive.
Throughout my career I realized that the top duties of a leader required speaking up and being decisive for the team and their duties. Hiring, managing people, securing resources are key parts of that role. And that is why I had to work on those skills.
I learned from experience that leaders must speak up to effectively:
The top duties of a leader required speaking up and being decisive for the team and their duties. Hiring, managing people, securing resources are key parts of that role.
Get more resources
Leaders who don’t speak up get less resources and more workload than other teams because they don’t ask for resources, defend their budget, or say no to the wrong type of work.
It is the job of a leader to secure resources for the team to be successful, such as new team members, training, and even adequate office space. It is the job of a leader to negotiate work aligned to the vision of the team with other stakeholders.
Be more productive
Leaders who don’t speak up have less effective teams because they avoid giving constructive feedback, taking disciplinary action when needed, and commanding in times of higher risk, high stakes, and for safety.
Team productivity requires having hard conversations and making tough decisions in a decisive way at times. Even if those moments are not often, they are incredibly important.
Manage the team well
Leaders who don’t speak up struggle managing stronger-willed team members and aggressive behavior because they aren’t respected by them.
Team members who do not respect their managers will continuously push the boundaries to test what they can get away with and they won’t work for the leader or their vision.
Not only that, when one or more team members disrespect the manager’s authority, other team members will start to do the same. This will reduce overall team morale and productivity.
Hire good talent
Leaders who don’t speak up don’t feel comfortable hiring people with stronger personality which limits their talent pool and team effectiveness because they don’t want to have conflict.
Great teams have assertive team members who can also speak up for their own teams and work. Occasionally there will be aggressive behaviors which need to be dealt with. A leader should not shy away from a strong and ambitious team member who may even outshine them.
Great leaders and managers must learn to be more assertive, so they and their teams can thrive.
The good news is that advocacy, decisiveness, and direct communication are skills that can be learned with assertiveness. Learn more about how to be more assertive at work here.
Great teams have assertive team members who can also speak up for their own teams and work.
Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter “Nice With Limits” for tips and inspiration for confidence at work and to boost your career!
We take your email seriously and will never sell or share it.
Summary
Leaders must speak up to be effective to:
- Get more resources
- Be more productive
- Manage the team well
- Hire good talent
“Calm assertive energy is the energy you project to show your dog you are the Pack Leader. Assertive does not mean angry or aggressive. Calm-assertive means always compassionate, but quietly in control.” – Cesar Millan