Managing Effective Teams

The tips listed below are based on feedback from previous Team Leaders and observations from the field, and will help guide you to success when managing your project. 
 

Set Clear Goals 

It’s important that every volunteer on the team understands the purpose of the project and what we’re hoping to accomplish.  

You can ensure your team is moving in the same direction by: 

• Confirming goals early with your Leadership Coordinator and agency contact 
• Confirming that the project description accurately lists the project goals 
• Sharing and explaining goals during your project kick-off  

Clarify Roles & Responsibilities 

Every volunteer brings certain strengths, skills, and preferences to the team. As Team Leader, you can work to align these qualities with the tasks required on the project. The better the match, the more likely that the volunteer will feel useful and effective.  

Clarifying roles and tasks with each volunteer also enables you to provide better feedback and hold volunteers accountable during the project. 

Establish Expectations 

Like playing a game, it’s best to know the rules before you begin. As a Team Leader it’s up to you to make your expectations clear from the beginning. Before the project, confirm details in your first email to volunteers. Make sure volunteers know and understand what they will be doing during the project. 

At the beginning of the project, conduct a brief orientation or kickoff. During this time, review any guidelines, rules, and tips for the project. For example, if the volunteers are working with children, be sure to remind them that they cannot under any circumstances take a child to the bathroom alone.  

Promote Effective Problem-Solving 

Encourage your volunteers to take initiative in addressing problems that may occur on a project. A Team Leader will foster more buy-in from their volunteers when they engage them in identifying solutions that directly impact their work.  

You can help build a project environment that encourages this by: 
 

• Being easily accessible to volunteers. Make sure your volunteers know your name, and that you’re checking in on them regularly. Circulate the room and check in periodically to ensure the project is running smoothly and assist with any requests or questions from volunteers. 
   
• If a problem arises, explaining the situation to your volunteers. The more up-front you are, the more understanding and forgiving volunteers will be. If you maintain a positive attitude, volunteers will likely follow your lead. 
  
   

Offer Feedback & Recognition 

Feedback is one of the most powerful tools Team Leaders have in their toolkit. Recognition during and after a project motivates and encourages volunteers to keep coming back. It tells them their time, effort, and contributions were important. 

At the end of the project, gather volunteers for a quick debrief session that includes a heartfelt thank you, a recap of the day’s accomplishments, and information on future projects. (For more on what makes a good project debrief, click here.)