When things are working, your team is doing a great job. But when things are not going well, it’s your entire fault. For short- and long-term success of the IT department, each team member has to have the ability to grow. For CIOs, that means giving them access to the right training, processes, tools, and vision to set goals.

The fastest way to damaging an empowered team: Micromanagement

Every team member plays a significant part in moving the organization from Point A to Point B, this can be harmful to your organization’s overall reputation. And when they feel supported by their management, they can help produce immeasurable levels of leadership, creativity, and business value.

The IDG Enterprise white paper “Relinquishing the Reins: Reaping the Benefits of Empowering Your IT Team” provides the perspective of four IT executives from different industries. Even thought their stories are unique, there are three four core principles that used in their people strategy:

• Lay the groundwork for autonomy: Unify the focus of the entire IT department. Make sure team members build innovations that are in line with strategic corporate goals, based on rigorous business goals, and use a project management framework.

• Focus on the bottom line: Ensure that team members deliver maximum value by understanding their role and growing their skill set to support new and existing business technologies.

• Clear the way for effective project management: Plan for concise targets, resource tracking, and management involvement.

• Build a true team: Tie the staff to the bigger picture by finding the right individual balance. Take the time to fine-tune roles and responsibilities based on individual needs and personal abilities.

The bottom line is clear

A supported (and supportive) IT team creates a working atmosphere that is creative, productive, innovative, and nurturing. And this also creates happy employees that feel truly valued. And for the business, that translates into new competitive advantage and future growth.