So you've been promoted. Congratulations!

Now that you're a manager, it's time to start managing. Right?

Not so fast. If you're like most first-time managers, you likely don't have a lot of experience leading a team. It might look easy, but knowing how to manage a team is vastly different from managing yourself.

That's why we've put together tips on how to manage a team, straight from the experts. Hit the ground running with these suggestions to ensure that your team is productive, cohesive, and happy.

4 Expert Tips for Managing a Team

1. Set the tone

We've all heard the expression "first impressions last" and nowhere is that more true than in the workplace. Team management is easier when everyone is on the same page from the start, so it's important to set the tone for how you want your team to operate.

This means being clear about your expectations, setting boundaries, and leading by example. If you're looking for a team that is proactive and takes initiative, then you need to model that behavior yourself.

Robust workplace cultures start with the tone that you set as a manager. 77% of American workers say that the tone of an organization plays a significant role in the quality of their work.

If you want your team to be successful, it's important to set the right tone. The more you live up to your standards, the more your team will aspire to do the same.

Of course, we're not all going to get things right on the first try. If you find that your first attempt at setting the tone falls flat, don't be afraid to course-correct. The most important thing is that you remain aware of the tone you are setting for your team and adjust accordingly if needed.

2. Communicate often and effectively

80% of workers identified "poor communication" as a contributor to workplace stress. As a manager, you need to be clear when communicating with your team, but you also need to make sure you're listening to what they have to say.

Managing isn't about having all the answers. Rather, it's about being able to effectively communicate with your team and work together to find solutions. Make a point to check in with your team regularly and see how they're doing. Not only will this help you identify any potential problems early on, but it will also show your team that you care about their well-being.

For managers who handle multiple departments, remember to be humble and don't pretend to know more than you do when talking to experts. Ask more questions than you answer. By doing so, you'll gain a better understanding of the subject matter and be able to communicate more effectively with different teams and departments. Your team members will take your cues, so show them how it's done!

You may think you communicate well, but it's always worth checking in with your team to make sure they feel the same. Making sure your communication style jives with your team's will make it easier for you to manage them effectively.

3. Recognize and reward good work

When team members do good work, it's important to recognize and reward their efforts. This not only motivates them to continue doing their best but also sets the standard for what you expect from the team as a whole.

A recent survey revealed that nearly 60% of Americans have not had a boss who "truly appreciated" their work. The same survey also found that 46% left their job at some point because they didn't feel appreciated.

Don't let your team members become part of that statistic! Make sure you are regularly expressing your appreciation for their hard work. And when you do, be specific. Instead of saying, "Good job" or "Great work," point out what they did that you appreciated. For example:

"I really appreciate how you handled that customer complaint. You were calm and professional, and you resolved the issue quickly."
"Thank you for staying late to finish that project. I know it wasn't easy, but you got it done."

People crave appreciation, so make sure you are giving it to them. Your team will be more motivated, engaged, and likely to stick around for the long haul.

4. Delegate responsibilities

One of the most common mistakes new managers make is trying to do everything themselves. Not only is this unsustainable, but it also doesn't give your team a chance to step up and show what they're capable of.

At some point, you have to let go of the reins and trust your team to do their job. Delegate responsibility, provide support and give team members the freedom to make decisions. Trust is a two-way street, so make sure you are also trusting your team members to do their jobs.

This can be a difficult task for managers who are used to being in control. But it's important to remember that delegation is not the same as abdication. You are still ultimately responsible for the team's success or failure. However, by delegating tasks and allowing team members to grow, you will end up with a stronger, more capable team.

Meet Popl Teams

Any manager worth their salt knows that managing a team effectively is no small feat. There's a lot that goes into it—from keeping track of deadlines and tasks to dealing with team conflict.

That's where team management apps like Popl Teams come in. By streamlining the process of managing a team, they make it that much more convenient and effective.

With Popl Teams, everything is organized in one place so you can easily keep track of deadlines and tasks. Everyone on the team has their own digital business card (DBC), so you can see at a glance who is responsible for what.

Sales teams, in particular, will benefit from Popl Teams' out-of-the-box integration with all the popular Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho.

Popl Teams isn't just for sales teams. It's also great for project-based teams, like marketing and product development. You also gain access to an analytics dashboard that provides valuable insights into how your team is performing.

If you're looking for a way to streamline the process of managing a team, Popl Teams is definitely worth checking out. Book a one-month free trial, today!