Managing teams with varying levels of expertise can require a tailored approach. How do you support and motivate low, mid, and high-skilled team members in your projects? What methods have you found most effective in ensuring each team member is engaged, productive, and growing? Share your tips and experiences on managing diverse teams to achieve success together. Saving Changes...
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
To manage teams with different levels of experience, it is essential to adapt the approach according to the skills of each member:
1️⃣ Members with low skills: Provide ongoing support, progressive tasks and constructive feedback to encourage learning.
2️⃣ Members with medium skills: Give them responsibility, autonomy and opportunities to improve key skills.
3️⃣ High-skill members: Assign them complex projects, include them in important decisions and allow them to mentor others.
The key is to know each member's strengths and provide the support necessary for everyone to grow and contribute to the team's success.
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1 reply by Pavan Maddi
Feb 17, 2025 12:45 AM
Pavan Maddi
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Great insights! Adapting support based on skill levels, using cross-mentoring, and setting clear goals are excellent strategies. Recognizing achievements and maintaining open communication truly help in fostering growth and engagement. Thanks for sharing!
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Your question is interesting. Just I think there are different things there : "team member is engaged, productive, and growing". The first point to understand is what role are you performing when you make the question. The component of art in project management is that usually you have to lead a project without having some kind of "power" on the team talking about the organizational pyramid. The other important thing about to understand the perspective is the definition of engage (you could be accountable for that), productive (productivity has to be defined at company wide), grow (it could be a matter of HR but not a matter of a project by itself).
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1 reply by Pavan Maddi
Feb 17, 2025 12:46 AM
Pavan Maddi
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Good point! Engagement, productivity, and growth can vary based on role and structure. While project managers may not control all aspects, they can create an environment that encourages learning and collaboration.
Appreciate your perspective! Sergio Luis Conte
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Pavan, the most important thing is to have an adaptive leadership style as you need to use different styles with teams/members in this case.
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1 reply by Pavan Maddi
Feb 17, 2025 12:46 AM
Pavan Maddi
...
Absolutely! Adaptive leadership is key to managing diverse teams effectively. Using different styles based on team dynamics ensures the right balance of support and challenge.
Thanks for highlighting this!
To manage teams with different levels of experience, it is essential to adapt the approach according to the skills of each member:
1️⃣ Members with low skills: Provide ongoing support, progressive tasks and constructive feedback to encourage learning.
2️⃣ Members with medium skills: Give them responsibility, autonomy and opportunities to improve key skills.
3️⃣ High-skill members: Assign them complex projects, include them in important decisions and allow them to mentor others.
The key is to know each member's strengths and provide the support necessary for everyone to grow and contribute to the team's success.
Great insights! Adapting support based on skill levels, using cross-mentoring, and setting clear goals are excellent strategies. Recognizing achievements and maintaining open communication truly help in fostering growth and engagement. Thanks for sharing! Saving Changes...
Your question is interesting. Just I think there are different things there : "team member is engaged, productive, and growing". The first point to understand is what role are you performing when you make the question. The component of art in project management is that usually you have to lead a project without having some kind of "power" on the team talking about the organizational pyramid. The other important thing about to understand the perspective is the definition of engage (you could be accountable for that), productive (productivity has to be defined at company wide), grow (it could be a matter of HR but not a matter of a project by itself).
Good point! Engagement, productivity, and growth can vary based on role and structure. While project managers may not control all aspects, they can create an environment that encourages learning and collaboration.
Appreciate your perspective! Sergio Luis Conte Saving Changes...
Pavan, the most important thing is to have an adaptive leadership style as you need to use different styles with teams/members in this case.
Absolutely! Adaptive leadership is key to managing diverse teams effectively. Using different styles based on team dynamics ensures the right balance of support and challenge.
Thanks for highlighting this! Saving Changes...
Agreed! Adaptive leadership is crucial for diverse teams. Matching leadership style to team needs maximizes both support and challenge, leading to better outcomes.
...
1 reply by Pavan Maddi
Feb 24, 2025 6:15 PM
Pavan Maddi
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ownish khan Absolutely! Adaptive leadership plays a key role in guiding diverse teams effectively.
Adjusting leadership styles based on team needs helps create the right balance of support and challenge. It fosters growth, collaboration, and better results. Have you found any specific techniques particularly useful in adapting leadership styles?
Saving Changes...
Amanda HarrisLeonardo DRSSpace Coast, FL, United States
Managing diverse teams requires a balance of strategic leadership, adaptability, and empowerment. In my experience leading transformation projects, I’ve found that a tailored approach—aligned with each team member’s skill level and career aspirations—drives engagement, productivity, and growth. Here’s how I approach it:
🔹 Low-Skilled Team Members: Building Confidence & Competence
For those who are still developing their expertise, I focus on structured guidance and mentorship. I provide clear expectations, hands-on coaching, and opportunities to gain quick wins that build their confidence. I also encourage peer mentoring, pairing them with mid- or high-skilled team members for knowledge sharing. This approach not only accelerates their growth but also fosters collaboration within the team.
🔹 Mid-Skilled Team Members: Expanding Capabilities & Ownership
Mid-level team members often thrive when given autonomy and opportunities to stretch beyond their current skill set. I challenge them with complex tasks, involve them in problem-solving, and provide visibility into higher-level decision-making. Regular feedback and targeted skill development ensure they continue progressing toward leadership roles.
🔹 High-Skilled Team Members: Empowering & Elevating Leadership
For my top performers, I shift from direct management to empowerment. I involve them in strategic initiatives, leverage their expertise for mentorship roles, and encourage innovation by giving them the space to drive solutions. Recognizing their contributions—whether through executive visibility, leadership opportunities, or professional development—keeps them engaged and invested in the team’s success.
The Key to Success? Clear Communication, Recognition, and Growth Opportunities.
A team thrives when each member feels valued, challenged, and aligned with the organization’s vision. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and recognition, I ensure that every team member—regardless of skill level—feels motivated to contribute at their highest potential.
...
1 reply by Pavan Maddi
Feb 24, 2025 6:17 PM
Pavan Maddi
...
Amanda Harris Great approach! Tailoring leadership based on skill levels helps bring out the best in every team member.
Balancing guidance, autonomy, and empowerment is key to building a strong team. Providing growth opportunities and recognizing contributions keeps everyone engaged. Have you found any particular challenges in applying this approach across different projects?
Agreed! Adaptive leadership is crucial for diverse teams. Matching leadership style to team needs maximizes both support and challenge, leading to better outcomes.
ownish khan Absolutely! Adaptive leadership plays a key role in guiding diverse teams effectively.
Adjusting leadership styles based on team needs helps create the right balance of support and challenge. It fosters growth, collaboration, and better results. Have you found any specific techniques particularly useful in adapting leadership styles? Saving Changes...
Managing diverse teams requires a balance of strategic leadership, adaptability, and empowerment. In my experience leading transformation projects, I’ve found that a tailored approach—aligned with each team member’s skill level and career aspirations—drives engagement, productivity, and growth. Here’s how I approach it:
🔹 Low-Skilled Team Members: Building Confidence & Competence
For those who are still developing their expertise, I focus on structured guidance and mentorship. I provide clear expectations, hands-on coaching, and opportunities to gain quick wins that build their confidence. I also encourage peer mentoring, pairing them with mid- or high-skilled team members for knowledge sharing. This approach not only accelerates their growth but also fosters collaboration within the team.
🔹 Mid-Skilled Team Members: Expanding Capabilities & Ownership
Mid-level team members often thrive when given autonomy and opportunities to stretch beyond their current skill set. I challenge them with complex tasks, involve them in problem-solving, and provide visibility into higher-level decision-making. Regular feedback and targeted skill development ensure they continue progressing toward leadership roles.
🔹 High-Skilled Team Members: Empowering & Elevating Leadership
For my top performers, I shift from direct management to empowerment. I involve them in strategic initiatives, leverage their expertise for mentorship roles, and encourage innovation by giving them the space to drive solutions. Recognizing their contributions—whether through executive visibility, leadership opportunities, or professional development—keeps them engaged and invested in the team’s success.
The Key to Success? Clear Communication, Recognition, and Growth Opportunities.
A team thrives when each member feels valued, challenged, and aligned with the organization’s vision. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and recognition, I ensure that every team member—regardless of skill level—feels motivated to contribute at their highest potential.
Amanda Harris Great approach! Tailoring leadership based on skill levels helps bring out the best in every team member.
Balancing guidance, autonomy, and empowerment is key to building a strong team. Providing growth opportunities and recognizing contributions keeps everyone engaged. Have you found any particular challenges in applying this approach across different projects? Saving Changes...
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