Getting to Know Your Team: Overcoming Management Blind Spots

In hotel management, knowing our team is essential to achieving exceptional results. However, a recent TeamDynamics report reveals that nearly two-thirds of managers are out of sync with their teams and how they operate. This disconnect can have serious implications for team efficiency and morale. As Christopher Morrison, founder of TeamDynamics, notes, "managers’ biggest blind spots stem from not understanding how their team truly works." Every team has its own dynamics, and while as leaders we strive to know and understand our teams, there are always areas that escape us. These areas, or blind spots, can become significant obstacles if they are not addressed properly. TeamDynamics’ research identifies four main blind spots that every manager should consider in order to improve management and achieve their goals. The first step in overcoming these blind spots is identifying them. Morrison stresses that "diagnosing where the blind spots are is essential to overcoming them." Below, I outline the most common blind spots and practical advice for closing these gaps, managing more effectively and ensuring our team performs at its best.

Blind Spot 1: Team Dynamics

Only around 35% of managers can accurately describe the core behaviours of each member of their team. This means that nearly two out of every three managers are likely interacting with their team incorrectly in at least one of the team’s core ways of working.

• Tip: Conduct a behavioural assessment. Free and subscription-based tools are available to help you establish individual and team behavioural norms, providing a foundation for understanding communication and collaboration dynamics.

Blind Spot 2: Organisation

We are creatures of habit and order. Seventy per cent of people prefer their teams to use detailed plans to execute projects, yet only 27% of teams actually do so. A lack of organisation can reduce team efficiency and increase frustration.

• Tip: Create a clear plan for every project or goal. Involve your team in creating these plans to ensure they reflect their preferences and needs.

Blind Spot 3: Communication

Structured, orderly communication is key for most employees, yet only 40% of teams manage communication in this way. A lack of alignment around communication preferences can lead to confusion and avoidable conflict.

• Tip: Establish clear communication guidelines with your team. Decide together what type of information is best communicated through each channel (for example, emails for sharing information and Slack for scheduling or quick approvals).

Blind Spot 4: Authority

Many managers believe they set the team’s norms, but only 40% are actually aligned with their team’s preferences. Organisational culture and team composition play a more significant role in shaping these norms.

• Tip: Develop situational awareness. Although you are the boss, recognise that you do not control everything. Adaptability is a crucial leadership quality. Allow the team to set the norms whenever they are effective, ethical and legal.

Recognising and addressing these blind spots can transform your team’s dynamics and improve overall efficiency and satisfaction. As hospitality leaders, we must always remain attentive to our teams’ needs and behaviours in order to lead successfully. As Morrison aptly puts it, "blind spots are natural and common in team environments. Recognising them, learning to identify them and taking constructive action can make you a more effective and inspiring leader." By applying these tips and strategies, we can not only improve our teams’ dynamics, but also reach new heights in hotel management, ensuring that every team member is aligned and working towards the same goal of hospitality excellence.