Managing yourself

Among all the topics we've discussed, it's critical to not forget to manage yourself to avoid burnout and frustration. The important step is to set a clear vision and operational mission for the program and the team. It should be straightforward for everyone on the team to be able to make decisions on when to take on certain tasks or moving forward with certain operational steps without having to consult someone at each stage.

The goals for each team member should naturally roll up toward your own goals so that the entire team moves in one common clear direction. This will also free up the manager's cycle to think about strategies and the long-term evolvement of the program and team, and not be stuck with day-to-day operations.

Take time off. If you built the team well, they will be able to fully able operate without your presence. That's why it's important to focus on principles and build a framework early on.

Also, block time off during the day for some of your critical tasks so that you have time to set your own goals and think about strategy. Set up meetings with yourself and manage yourself!