As a business leader, you have the unique opportunity to unlock the potential of the next generation of talent within your startup. This begins by not overlooking entry-level players.

Many leaders focus on the playmakers of the business, but you don’t win championships simply because you have a great quarterback. It’s the combined effort of all players both great and small that wins games.

here are some few key mantras to help the less-experienced members of a team grow in their careers and become successful:

Break down the plays.

New team members are often full of passion and try to tackle new projects in their entirety, which usually ends up overwhelming and confusing them in the end.

Instead of dropping giant projects in the lap of your young team members and expecting perfection, hand them more manageable tasks.

This gives them the confidence to work up to those bigger undertakings when the game is on the line.

Understand emotions.

New team members have a difficult time being vulnerable. The way past this roadblock is to encourage an open and honest dialogue.

Create an open-door policy for employees to voice concerns or simply chat. A coach that shows a player that his opinions and feelings matter will make said player work that much harder for him.

Prepare a game plan.

If your team is feeling nervous or overwhelmed, it’s usually because they don’t have adequate information or enough time to make good decisions. Shedding light on the unknown is a good way to quell the anxiety.

It’s like turning on the porch light before stepping outside after dark: It provides a sense of relief. Having a game plan means you can see what’s coming. A practical training approach will build the team’s confidence until they can eventually master the skills you need.

Equip your workers with an extensive on-the-job training approach to supply them with the necessary tools to succeed on the field.
 

Thank your teammates.

If you’re not displaying your gratefulness, then how can you expect the same from your team? Practice showing your thankfulness by focusing on what your team members bring to the table. This attitude is crucial for forging a strong and united team.

A company's attitude can be attributed to the mindset of its leadership.

Focusing on the positive and not the negative trickles down to your team members and is crucial in forging a strong and united team, particularly when times are tough.