Michelle Buffardi provides advice for leaders on how to effectively manage their teams. Leaders should give clear direction and expectations to their team but then step back and let the team work independently. They should take responsibility for overall outcomes rather than seeking individual credit. Great leaders make space for others on the team to develop ideas, have opportunities, and receive recognition. Leaders should listen to all members of the team and make themselves accessible.

2. Michelle Buffardi
Vice President, Discovery Digital Studios
@mbuffardi

4. •Give Clear Direction, Then Get Out of the
Way
•Take Responsibility Not Credit
•Don’t Block Other’s Light
•Listen

5. This shows trust in your team and will speed up
processes. Be explicit in your expectations and
what touchpoints you want to be involved in, but
let your team do what they do best. Allow future
leaders to emerge and grow. Let doers… do.
–Here’s is important to me, here’s what you can
decide
–Here’s when I want to be involved

6. It’s a leader and decision maker’s responsibility to
make things happen and to make sure those who
did the work or who came up with the idea get the
right credit.
–“We’ll get this done.”
–Follow up with, “Here’s how it got done, and
here’s who was responsible.”

7. Great leaders aren’t always those with the winning
idea or the loudest voice in the room. Step aside
and let the light shine on everyone – there’s room
enough for all to have opportunity and
recognition.

8. Let others be heard, regardless of level, be
accessible and available – lean on soft skills here –
and be an advocate.
–Open door policy
–Any-topic policy
–Question forums