Advice for elevating my team to be independent/efficient/not need hand holding?
I am the head of CRM at my company with 3 team members. A couple members of my team will want to involve me in every part of their work. I prefer a team dynamic where they do their jobs, keep me involved in the work at a high level, expect my help on bigger projects, red flags, or where they specifically my guidance. I am happy to mentor and guide them but I have no desire to hand hold on all items, or else, I wouldn't need a team.
Example 1: I asked one person who manages the relationship w a vendor to find out about the company's new product release and propose changes/improvements. We've had several meetings about it and instead of her finding out and making recommendations, she will copy me on emails or add me to conference calls so I can ask myself. I tell her I don't need to be in on the meeting, but let me know what they say. Ultimately, I will not get a follow up unless I ask specifically and attend the meeting to hear the answer myself.
Example 2: I asked another member to follow up on a tool we use/learn it from the vendor and make recommendations if they want a different tool. He invites me to the meeting with the vendor, again, I decline, say let me know what you think, I cannot attend. He ended up cancelling bc I wasn't there and now the vendor is waiting on my schedule for when we can all meet. Conversely, this same person will go ahead and do work for business entities, create a series of 10 reports, and not even let me know what's going on or copy me on emails about it.
I have one on one meetings with both, as well as team meetings. I try to build their confidence in their roles and encourage them. How can I encourage the model where I do not have to be involved in every step, just involve me w the high level? Are my expectations wrong? For reference, my title is VP-level, they are analysts and crm administrators with a few years' experience.
Posted May 7, 2018, 3:23 PM UTC
Do you get the feeling they are doing this purposely, or that they're not understanding what you want?
What exactly do you do in the moment that they do something wrong? For example, when they invite you to a meeting, do you just say "No thank you"? Or do you say "You keep inviting me to these meetings when I told you that I need you to make these decisions on your own. Why is that?"
Some wordings I've found useful:
Basically you really need to get down to the bottom of WHY this is happening. Could be a lot of reasons.
Also - might want to take a look at your meeting structures. You're having a team meeting, 1-on-1s, AND they come to you for everything? Sounds like the meetings aren't doing anything.
I don't think your expectations are wrong at all. That's how things SHOULD work.