As a leader, one of the first assignments is to be a “team leader”. This is often the first position in an organization for Jason Hare Kingston. Many experienced leaders will vividly recall the first time they were responsible for a whole team. You may have encountered some challenges in integrating into your new role as a leader instead of just one member of the group if you were promoted from your peer group. The outsiders will need to get to know their team members, and vice versa. No matter how they get promoted, new leaders must learn to adapt to different personalities and create a cohesive team. What qualities make a leader a good team leader and enable them to build high-performing teams? Here are some of these essential traits:
Visioning A clear vision for the future is essential for team leaders. It can be challenging, but it must be clear. While the larger organization will usually set the team’s purpose, most leaders can make decisions about how to achieve it. At a minimum, leaders can develop a vision that encourages the team to strive for excellence within their organization and within their industry. The leader of the team can set a clear vision to inspire everyone to work towards a common goal.
The art of delegation: Team leaders should be adept at delegating. Some leaders believe they can lead their team by being the “pace-setter”, the most productive member of the group. In some cases, a “pace-setter’ style of leading a group may be effective. But team leaders must make sure they get the work done through their people and not do it all themselves. In times of high volume, crisis, or other circumstances, the leader of the team may have to take on some responsibility. However this is not an effective way to lead for long-term success. Therefore, they should be adept at delegation.
Engaging. Effective team leaders must have the ability to engage their employees. The old saying “people don’t care how well you know them until they know how deeply you care” is still true. Leaders must get along with their team members and make them feel like people. They need to make sure everyone on their team is given the right job and have the tools they need. You can only do this if you get to know your team members and understand their strengths as well their needs.
Communicating Effective team leaders are good communicators. They can express themselves clearly and make their points clear. They are good listeners and can communicate effectively by listening. Early communication skills are beneficial for team leaders, as they can apply them to larger leadership roles.
Problem Solving: The greatest leaders are also problem solvers. They can analyse issues and suggest solutions. They find solutions to ensure that their team is able to work effectively and efficiently.
Making decisions: Successful leaders can make timely decisions. They are able assess and identify the issues, evaluate the alternatives, and make a determination based on the available information. It is difficult for teams to function at high levels if decisions are not taken in a timely fashion. Many team members wait for the decision before they can act. It is important to have leaders who can quickly make decisions.
Coaching & mentoring: All of the most successful team leaders can also be great coaches. They provide guidance and support to their team members regarding performance and personal development. All leaders, no matter their rank, know that one of the most important responsibilities of leadership involves preparing others to take on greater responsibility. Leaders need to develop their people so they can work better together and that they are able to groom someone for the leadership position in the future. Every leader will eventually need to be replaced.
Acting with integrity A leader who is successful can tell the truth, and show integrity to their team, is a trustworthy leader. It makes sense that a team leader who doesn’t adhere to the core values will be unable to hold other members of the team accountable. Like all leaders, team leaders are able build trust with their followers by being honest. This is perhaps most important quality in a leader.
These are key attributes that successful team leaders exhibit. These are qualities, skills, or characteristics that all great team leaders possess. This list will help you evaluate your performance as a leader of a team. These are key to effective leadership.
