When I start managing a new team, be it at a new company or at a company for which I already work, I like to get as much information as I can before deciding if any changes are needed.

Of course, I meet with my direct reports first. If they are all managers, I also schedule a few skip level meetings and not just with people they recommend. I meet with the external teams my team interacts with. If I am managing the Quality Engineering organization, I meet with all the organizations those teams interact with: development, technical writing, user experience designers, support. When I am managing a development organization I meet with quality engineering, user experience designers, support (really important!), technical writing, product management, sales.

When I talk with the sales people, I listen to them talk about the challenges they have in selling the product. With the other teams, I listen to what they think is working and what needs to be improved. I do a lot of listening. I always ask about communication when talking with these other teams.

All this information allows me to understand how well my team is working and to answer some basic questions:

• Is the current organizational structure working?
• Do the challenges my team faces require an organizational change?
• Can some process improvements help?
• Do staff members need some help/training on communication or other soft skills?
• Does the team require technical training?

Once I have the answers to these questions, I have what I need to work with my new team in the best way possible.

How do you approach managing a new team?