Welcome to Inside the Manager’s Mind — a space where leadership meets reality. Explore the highs, lows, and everyday decisions that shape teams and drive success. From strategic thinking to people management, this blog offers raw insights and practical wisdom for those leading or aspiring to lead. In this feature we’d like you to meet Gaurav Bansal!
Gaurav Bansal: As a manager, my constant focus is on solving challenges that my team faces. The key is staying aware of these challenges, acknowledging them, and taking decisive action. Let me share how I approach some common management challenges.
Building Cross-Functional Collaboration
When my team expanded from client-only developers to include Backend developers, I noticed collaboration gaps emerging. While client developers had strong relationships from working together for a year, the integration with Backend developers needed attention. To address this, we focused on creating a collaborative environment through regular team activities, including recent bowling and dinner events that helped break down barriers and foster natural connections.
We’ve made significant strides in fostering technical understanding between teams. Our backend team now regularly shares insights about API performance, which has led to client teams implementing more effective loading states. Similarly, when client teams demonstrate user interactions, it helps backend developers design more intuitive API endpoints. These exchanges have transformed our team’s mindset from “That’s not my job” to “How can I help?”
Maintaining Team Motivation
Recognition plays a crucial role in keeping the team motivated throughout the development lifecycle. We celebrate joint wins and team contributions, making sure everyone feels valued for their unique contributions. Mercari’s employee-centric culture and various club activities provide additional avenues for engagement and motivation.
Work-life balance is another cornerstone of our approach. We’ve implemented flexible working hours, understanding that some team members are early birds while others peak later in the day. Clear ownership of responsibilities helps team members develop expertise and confidence in their areas.
Supporting Career Growth
Career development is highly personalized in our team. Through continuous feedback and individual growth plans, we acknowledge that each team member has unique ambitions and working styles. We create opportunities that align with personal goals while supporting the team’s overall objectives.
Most importantly, this approach has created a team that’s not just productive, but genuinely engaged and passionate about their work. The proof lies in the seamless collaboration we now see between different technical domains and the innovative solutions that emerge from these partnerships.
Looking ahead, we continue to evolve these practices based on team feedback and changing needs, ensuring we maintain an environment where every team member can reach their full potential.
Hear from his team:
Gaurav’s approach to encouraging teamwork has made a big difference for our team. He focuses on building a positive and cooperative environment, cheering us up with activities like dinners, sessions between different domain professionals etc. These events have helped us strengthen our connections, making it easier to build trust between us. Because of Gaurav’s planning, the team has stayed motivated throughout the process. He always makes sure to celebrate our successes irrespective of how big or small. Gaurav’s leadership has created a place where teamwork and new ideas can grow, motivating us to do our best every day“
Vandana Kumari
“Having one-on-one meetings with Gaurav has been incredibly valuable for my growth and development. These sessions provide a dedicated space where I can share my thoughts, ask questions, and seek guidance on various projects. Gaurav offers insightful feedback and constructive advice, helping me navigate challenges and stay focused on my goals.
Tora
Moreover, these one-on-ones foster a strong sense of connection and open communication, making it easier to discuss both successes and areas for improvement. I appreciate how Gaurav takes the time to understand my aspirations and encourages me to refine my skills. His personalized guidance not only boosts my confidence but also motivates me to strive for better performance and continue advancing in my career. Overall, these meetings have been instrumental in shaping my professional journey.”
“Gaurav’s emphasis on cross-functional collaboration has significantly improved our team environment and productivity. The team-building activities he initiated have strengthened our relationships, allowing us to understand each other’s roles better.
Manas
Since Gaurav focused on bridging the gap between client and backend developers, I’ve seen remarkable improvements in communication and problem-solving. Informal sharing sessions, where backend developers explain API performance, have helped client developers implement more efficient loading states, streamlining our workflows fostering collaboration.”
And if you are inspired to be part of an organization that values growth, learning, and collaboration, we encourage you to look out for more opportunities on our careers website.
Stay tuned for more stories, lessons, and reflections as we continue to learn and grow together.
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