A team leader is critical in moving his or her team towards achieving success. As we have seen from many people in leadership positions, effective leadership is not task-oriented, but rather directional, team focused, and highly developmental. This article highlights various leadership styles, the basic roles of a leader of a group, and ways to improve team performance.

Major Leadership Styles

Different leadership styles allow the team leaders to know which one of them can be more effective depending on the composition of the group as well as the overarching objectives of the organization. Leaders have different styles but for this article four of the most common are elaborated on:

Democratic Leadership

In a democratic approach to leadership, participation from the team is solicited before the leader makes decisions. This type enhances cooperation from and participation of the team members.

Autocratic Leadership

The autocratic leader is compelled to make unilateral decisions without consulting other members of the team. While this style works in some instances, it is rather detrimental in most situations, creating a gap between the leader and the team, because it is too one sided. Changing the shifts of an employee without discussion is a sign of an autocratic approach which is not very accepted in this day and age.

Transformational Leadership

These leaders work to their followers’ strengths and level them up. They encourage their followers to accept challenges and strive to do better. This style aims at fostering change and encompassing a new approach in the team for innovative thinking.

Transactional Leadership

This focuses on motivating team members through result-based rewards and payments. It is useful for monotonous projects that are diligent in nature. However, it does not help in fostering growth and creativity in the long term.

Coaching Leadership

In the coaching style of leadership, leaders, recognize the competencies of their team members to help them in their personal and career growth. They act as guides, coaches, and mentors to help people achieve their highest standards of work.

The Essential Roles of a Team Leader

A team leader manages a variety of responsibilities that affect a team’s’ success. These responsibilities are:

Achieving the Task:

The leader ensures that tasks and goals are scoped properly and that they have a measurable end target which is met. They outline the plan, timelines, and allocate resources amongst the members of the team.

Building and Maintaining the Team:

The team leader is expected to maintain collaboration, trust, and cordial relations among the members. In order to accomplish this, a healthy culture of being open-minded and learning from each other is nurtured, thereby achieving common goals.

From a local to global scale, leaders utilize their resources to enhance the skillset their employees possess in order to embed a constructive relationship within the team or organization. Employees are guided, mentored, and given necessary feedback in order to build their abilities and skills.

Key Functions of a Team Leader

A team leader is expected to perform a multitude of tasks in order to achieve the smooth running of operations while excelling in performance. Below are some leadership tasks that require attention:

Providing Direction and Defining Tasks:

In conjunction with the organization getting the desired result, leaders are required to clearly outline the objectives and specific tasks that need to be accomplished by the team. This includes strategizing, setting expectations, and deadlines while planning and ensuring the team comprehends what’s in store.

Effective Delegation:

For the effective management of a team, delagation is one of the most powerful and crucial tools. Every team member is given responsibilities that they can be trusted to deal with so that the team lead can concentrate with the rest of the group on more important strategic leadership issues.

Strategic Thinking and Planning:

In order for the team to know how to get to their desired endpoint from their current locaton, leaders and guides are needed to supply a mental visualization that will enable for that transition. The ability to think strategically alongside comprehension of the team members capabilities as well as appropriate time and resources will need to be managed in order to fulfill the desired objectives of the project..

All Encompassing Accountability for Execution:

It is the leader who executes goals and objectives. It is the leader that has to make sure that the plan is operationalized. This requires regular monitoring, reporting, and taking corrective measures as needed.

Building and Building the Team:

Now, a leader has to construct the team in such a manner that they can work effectively. This means that the team structure may need to be changed or responsibilities shifted to respond to evolving project demands.

Encouraging Onward Leaders:

A great leader does not only think about their success but rather how they can aid in developing leaders within the team. By assisting team members through coaching, leaders guarantee that the organization continues to thrive and succeed.

Fostering Positive Team Culture:

Another area where a leader has to work on is the overall culture of the team. Leaders should create stronger norms and values that focus on “collaboration culture” in which members are willing to give and receive help and work together to achieve defined objectives. Such an environment strengthens trust, increases productivity, and leads to sustained success.

Conclusion

Effective Leadership Is More Than Just Managing Tasks. A good team leader is capable of motivating the members, helping them grow, and steering their team towards achieving success. The right leadership style, as well as proper task allocation and positive team culture, is sufficient to determine the overall functioning of a team. Leaders can focus on these responsibilities and ensure that their teams do not just meet their goals, but exceed expectations in every project.

Categories: Team Management Skills