Leadership

Team Leader

A team leader is someone who provides direction, instructions and guidance to a group of individuals, who can also be known as a team, for the purpose of achieving a certain goal. An effective leader will know her team members strengths, weaknesses and motivations.

Roles:

Team leaders serve various roles in an organization. Their job is to get tasks done by using all of the resources available to them, including other employees or team members. Below is a list of some important roles a team leader must often take on:

• Develop a strategy the team will use to reach its goal
• Provide any training that team members need
• Communicate clear instructions to team members
• Listen to team members' feedback
• Monitor team members' participation to ensure the training they providing is being put into use, and also to see if any additional training is needed
• Manage the flow of day-to-day operations
• Create reports to update the company on the team's progress
• Distribute reports to the appropriate personnel

Responsibilities:

A team leader is responsible for guiding a group of employees as they complete a project. They are responsible for developing and implementing a timeline their team will use to reach its end goal. Some of the ways team leaders ensure they reach their goals is by delegating tasks to their members, including themselves.

A single brain sometimes cannot take decisions alone. One needs the assistance and guidance of others as well to accomplish the tasks within the desired time frame. In a team, every member contributes to his level best to achieve the assigned targets. The team members must be compatible with each other to avoid unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings.

Every team should have a team leader who can hold his team together and extract the best out of the team members. The team leader should be such that every individual draws inspiration from him and seek his advice and guidance whenever required. He should be a role model for his team members.

A team leader plays an important role in guiding the team members and motivating them to stay focused.

A team leader is one who sets a goal and objective for the team. Every team is formed for a purpose. The leader alone should not set the goal, suggestions should be invited from one and all and issues must be discussed on an open forum. He must make his team members well aware of their roles and responsibilities. He must understand his team members well. The duties and responsibilities must be assigned as per their interest and specialization for them to accept the challenge willingly. Never impose things on them.

A team leader must be impartial:

 He should support one and all equally. Partiality leads to negativity and conflicts among the team members. Don’t favor anyone just because he is your friend.As a team leader, one should constantly motivate his team members. Motivate them so that they perform even better the next time. Avoid criticizing anyone. Never make fun of anyone’s mistakes, instead correct him in a polite way.

Encourage the team members to help each other:

 Create a positive ambience at the workplace. Avoid playing politics or provoking individuals to fight. Make sure that the team members do not fight among themselves. In case of a conflict, don’t add fuel to the fire, rather try to resolve the fight immediately. Listen to both the parties before coming to any conclusion. Try to come to an alternative feasible for all.

The team leader is the face of every team as well as the organization:

An aero plane will definitely crash, if the pilot loses focus and control, similarly a team can’t perform unless and until the leader has his control on the team. It is okay to be friendly with your team members, but make sure they do not take undue advantage of this gesture. Discipline is a must. Give your team a direction, without which it fails to perform.

If a team member comes to you to discuss any of his personal problems, lend him a sympathetic ear. Try to help him. Keep the things to yourself and do not escalate it to the management. Do not ask for too many favors from your team members. Don’t ask them

Ten effective qualities of good team leader

Demonstrates reliability:

You can count on a reliable team member who gets work done and does his fair share to work hard and meet commitments. He or she follows through on assignments. Consistency is key. You can count on him or her to deliver good performance all the time, not just some of the time.

 

Communicates constructively:

Teams need people who speak up and express their thoughts and ideas clearly, directly, honestly, and with respect for others and for the work of the team. That's what it means to communicate constructively. Such a team member does not shy away from making a point but makes it in the best way possible — in a positive, confident, and respectful manner.

Listens actively:

Good listeners are essential for teams to function effectively. Teams need team players who can absorb, understand, and consider ideas and points of view from other people without debating and arguing every point. Such a team member also can receive criticism without reacting defensively. Most important, for effective communication and problem solving, team members need the discipline to listen first and speak second so that meaningful dialogue results.

Functions as an active participant:

Good team players are active participants. They come prepared for team meetings and listen and speak up in discussions. They're fully engaged in the work of the team and do not sit passively on the sidelines.

Team members who function as active participants take the initiative to help make things happen, and they volunteer for assignments. Their whole approach is can-do: "What contribution can I make to help the team achieve success?"

Exhibits flexibility:

Teams often deal with changing conditions — and often create changes themselves. Good team players roll with the punches; they adapt to ever-changing situations. They don't complain or get stressed out because something new is being tried or some new direction is being set.

In addition, a flexible team member can consider different points of views and compromise when needed.

Works as a problem-solver:

Teams, of course, deal with problems. Sometimes, it appears, that's the whole reason why a team is created — to address problems. Good team players are willing to deal with all kinds of problems in a solutions-oriented manner. They're problem-solvers, not problem-dwellers, problem-blamers, or problem-avoiders. They don't simply rehash a problem the way problem-dwellers do. They don't look for others to fault, as the blamers do. And they don't put off dealing with issues, the way avoiders do.

Team players get problems out in the open for discussion and then collaborate with others to find solutions and form action plans.

Treats others in a respectful and supportive manner

Team players treat fellow team members with courtesy and consideration — not just some of the time but consistently. In addition, they show understanding and the appropriate support of other team members to help get the job done. who show commitment don't come in any particular style or personality. They don't need to be rah-rah, cheerleader types. In fact, they may even be soft-spoken, but they aren't passive. They care about what the team is doing and they contribute to its success — without needing a push.

How to Be a Good Team Leader:

The findings of extensive research on what makes a team effective point to the fact that: teams that have the talent and skills to manage themselves do better.
This means a dominate team leader doesn’t seem to lead to consistent and better performance – it’s the organizational support makes a difference.
Therefore, a good team leader should design and support/balance the talent of the individuals to work together in harmony so that the team ends up managing itself…

Being an effective team leader requires basic leadership skills. Here are some of the actions that the team leader should consistently carry out:
• Build trust between team members.

• Inspire and motivate teamwork for achieving goals.

• Influence valuable changes.

• Be open to new ideas coming from team members.

• Consult frequently with key team members.

• Establish an open discussion for decision-making.

• Distinguish the team from others – create an identity for the team.

• Encourage and support independent thinking.

• Recognize the skills of key team members and utilize their strengths to the benefit of the team.

• Define and state expectations and objectives with the team members. Ensure that all members understand the missions ahead.

• Eliminate disagreements between members – be the mediator. Set a behavioral code if necessary.

• Consider giving incentives to boost results.

• Evaluate results in a timely fashion.
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Being an effective team leader: the Qualities of a Good Team Leader