The difference between leading a small or large team

Leading a small team

When leading a small team, it is important to remember that each team member is an individual with their own skills, strengths and weaknesses. As the leader, it is your job to ensure that everyone is working together towards a common goal.

Benefits

The benefits of leading a small team are that you can really get to know each team member and their individual strengths and weaknesses. This allows you to play to each person’s strengths and delegate tasks accordingly. You will also find it easier to build a strong team bond as everyone is working closely together.

Challenges

While leading a small team comes with its own set of challenges, it can also be very rewarding. Here are some of the challenges you may face:

1. Ensuring that everyone is on the same page

With a small team, it is especially important to make sure that everyone is on the same page. This means clearly communicating the goals and objectives of the team, as well as regularly checking in to make sure that everyone is on track.

2. Delegating tasks effectively

It is important to delegate tasks effectively in order to make the most of everyone's skills and strengths. This can be a challenge, but it is important to avoid overloading anyone team member.

3. Building a cohesive team

A small team can often feel like a family, which can be both good and bad. It is important to build a cohesive team where everyone feels like they are valued and respected. This can be done by promoting open communication, encouraging team bonding activities, and providing regular feedback.

4. Handling conflict

Conflict is inevitable in any team, but it is especially important to handle conflict effectively in a small team. This means being open to hearing different perspectives, being willing to compromise, and maintaining a positive attitude.

5. Managing expectations

It is important to manage expectations in a small team, as there can be a lot of pressure on the leader to perform. This means setting realistic goals and being clear about what each team member is responsible for.

6. Finding the right balance

The key to leading a small team effectively is finding the right balance between giving direction and letting the team members take initiative. It is important to trust your team and give them the freedom to experiment and try new things.

7. Being available

As the leader of a small team, you need to be available when your team members need you. This means being accessible and responsive to their needs.

Leading a large team

When leading a large team, it is important to remember that you will not be able to get to know each team member as well as you would if you were leading a small team. However, it is still important to try and build strong relationships with each team member. It is also important to delegate tasks and projects to different team members so that everyone feels like they are contributing and playing a role in the success of the team.

Benefits

The benefits of leading a large team include being able to delegate tasks and projects, as well as having access to more resources. This can help to make the job of leading a large team much easier. Another benefit is that a large team can often get more done than a small team, simply because more people are working on tasks.

Challenges

While leading a large team comes with its own set of challenges, it can also be very rewarding. Here are some of the challenges you may face:

1. Delegation of work

In a large team, it is especially important to delegate tasks and projects effectively. This can be a challenge, as you will need to consider the skills and strengths of each team member.

2. Communication

With a large team, communication can often be a challenge. This is because there are more people to keep updated and informed about the team's progress. It is important to have a clear and concise communication plan in place so that everyone is on the same page.

3. Time management

Time management can be a challenge when leading a large team. This is because there are more people to coordinate and manage, which can take up a lot of time. It is important to be efficient and organized when leading a large team.

4. Motivating each team member

It is important to try and motivate each team member, even if they are working on different tasks. This can be done by providing regular feedback, setting clear goals, and offering incentives.

5. Building a cohesive team

A large team can often feel like a group of individuals, which can be both good and bad. It is important to build a cohesive team where everyone feels like they are valued and respected. This can be done by promoting open communication, encouraging team bonding activities, and providing regular feedback.

6. Recognizing and rewarding individual and team achievements

It is important to recognize and reward both individual and team achievements. This helps to motivate team members and promotes a sense of pride in the team. It also helps to build a positive reputation for the team.

7. Managing change

In a large team, it is especially important to manage change effectively. This means being prepared for changes, communicating the changes to team members, and ensuring that everyone is on board with the new plan.

Things to take-away

• A small team will enable you to get to know your team members better, but a large team will offer more resources.
• When leading a small team, you will want to keep an eye on building a cohesive team, team conflict and managing expectations.
• Delegation of work, communication, and time management can all be challenges when leading a large team.
• Ultimately, it is up to the leader to decide what type of team they need in their company, based on their own strengths and preferences.