All managers need to be good leaders. Leaders need to know how to implement effective techniques to guide their teams. Leaders need to mentor individuals as well as validate the results of their mentoring. Without established methods and experience, managers may be tempted to use a blanket approach to leadership.
While this approach may reflect the leader's personality, it often does not reflect the employees' needs. Dedicated mentoring and leadership is vital to maintain employee morale and productivity.
What makes a great Team leader is their ability to listen attentively to team members. As a direct result of this, the team leader understands how to achieve the results that the team is charged with delivering. A good team leader prioritises issues in a manner that reflects the build of their team. Issues that need to be tackled are given priority by identifying responsible members within the team, and then assigning them to carry out those tasks. A team leader is an individual who provides guidance, training, bearing, and leadership to a team of individuals. This is done in order to achieve a key outcome or a group of specified results. Team leaders monitor the various statistical data related to employee performance. The team leader should always work with team members to achieve a harmonious relationship that is beneficial to the organisation.
A good Team leader can mentor and support employees in their quest to achieve their work-related deadlines and goals in a time-sensitive manner. This means that the individual team members are in the best possible position to deliver the necessary results. Advanced team leaders should also be able to manage a full business unit where all team members generally do the same work, such as a call center. In this scenario, employees are part of the team that performs individual work. This sort of structure is also common for larger corporations where many employees perform a very specific and similar kind of work. Scheduled and timely reviews should be held depending on the type of the project that the team is working on. The team lead should always manage the activities of a team in co-relation to a precise project. Each team member should be allowed to be in charge of a specific task. The Team leader should simply co-ordinate between all of the team members.
http://business-square.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1804715
Friday, July 8, 2011
7 Ways to Be a Better Team Leader
Leading a team on the face of it looks really easy. In reality it can be extremely challenging. As well as having the eyes of your boss and peers looking at how you are performing, you have to deal with all the different personalities and characters in the team you lead.
Given these pressures, it would be easy to crack and really struggle as a team leader. Yet in truth there are things that you can do to become a better team leader. So what are 7 things that you can do to become a better team leader?
Increase your self awareness
If you are going to lead a team effectively, you need to have a high level of self awareness. Being self aware is not about identifying all of your faults but about understanding your motivators, your impact, what you do well and where you struggle. When you are armed with these insights you start to build your team from really strong foundations.
Be clear about what is to be delivered
Every team exists for a reason and ultimately it is to deliver some result or contribution to business results. As the team leader, you need to understand totally what is expected from the team and be able to effectively communicate it to other team members.
Involve others
Imagine there are two teams. In the first team all of the ideas, ways of working and plans are developed by the team leader and imposed. In the second team, the team leader fully involves team members in coming up with ideas, creating plans and deciding how to achieve them. Which team do you think will deliver most? As the team leader, focus on involving others more.
Have an effective decision making process
Every team member might not agree 100% with every decision that is taken but on the other hand they will find procrastination even more frustrating. Make sure that for significant team decisions there is a clear process and criteria for reaching decisions so that things keep moving forward.
Don't ignore the deficiencies
It is incredibly difficult to deliver results through a team if you have deficiencies in terms of resources, skills and expertise. At the same time, it can be incredibly tempting to make do, especially if you know that the organisation is facing challenging times.
Don't fall into the trap of ignoring deficiencies in the hope that they will go away. Tackle them so that you keep progressing.
Encourage and support others
It is so easy to forget just how difficult it was when you were doing something for the first time or operating in a new set of circumstances. Some just deal with this without any problems while others will have crisis of confidence. As the leader, make a point of encouraging and supporting others through the good and not so good times.
Remember to recognise team effort
It never ceases to amaze me just how few leaders take the time to recognise the efforts and contributions of the team to deliver. If you are someone who falls into this category, do something to create a habit of looking out for good things that the team has tried or done and acknowledge them for their efforts.
Bottom Line - Becoming a better team leader is a career long learning process. So what steps can you take to become an even better team leader?
http://business-square.com/
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Duncan_Brodie
Given these pressures, it would be easy to crack and really struggle as a team leader. Yet in truth there are things that you can do to become a better team leader. So what are 7 things that you can do to become a better team leader?
Increase your self awareness
If you are going to lead a team effectively, you need to have a high level of self awareness. Being self aware is not about identifying all of your faults but about understanding your motivators, your impact, what you do well and where you struggle. When you are armed with these insights you start to build your team from really strong foundations.
Be clear about what is to be delivered
Every team exists for a reason and ultimately it is to deliver some result or contribution to business results. As the team leader, you need to understand totally what is expected from the team and be able to effectively communicate it to other team members.
Involve others
Imagine there are two teams. In the first team all of the ideas, ways of working and plans are developed by the team leader and imposed. In the second team, the team leader fully involves team members in coming up with ideas, creating plans and deciding how to achieve them. Which team do you think will deliver most? As the team leader, focus on involving others more.
Have an effective decision making process
Every team member might not agree 100% with every decision that is taken but on the other hand they will find procrastination even more frustrating. Make sure that for significant team decisions there is a clear process and criteria for reaching decisions so that things keep moving forward.
Don't ignore the deficiencies
It is incredibly difficult to deliver results through a team if you have deficiencies in terms of resources, skills and expertise. At the same time, it can be incredibly tempting to make do, especially if you know that the organisation is facing challenging times.
Don't fall into the trap of ignoring deficiencies in the hope that they will go away. Tackle them so that you keep progressing.
Encourage and support others
It is so easy to forget just how difficult it was when you were doing something for the first time or operating in a new set of circumstances. Some just deal with this without any problems while others will have crisis of confidence. As the leader, make a point of encouraging and supporting others through the good and not so good times.
Remember to recognise team effort
It never ceases to amaze me just how few leaders take the time to recognise the efforts and contributions of the team to deliver. If you are someone who falls into this category, do something to create a habit of looking out for good things that the team has tried or done and acknowledge them for their efforts.
Bottom Line - Becoming a better team leader is a career long learning process. So what steps can you take to become an even better team leader?
http://business-square.com/
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Duncan_Brodie
How to Become a Good Team Leader
So what makes a good team leader? This is a question that is often during an interview process for office based positions. It is important to therefore understand what qualities a team leader should possess. In this article I will be writing about how you can become a good and successful team leader.
Any team will need to be led by a powerful, dynamic and confident leader. All of the team should have full respect for their leader and this respect will need to be earned. The team leader should therefore be prepared to muck in where necessary and needs to lead the team from the front. As a simple example there is absolutely no point is telling your team members that they are no longer allowed to send text messages during working hours if you continue to send them yourself. This will result in a lack of respect for you!
Each member of the team should feel able to approach and speak to their team leader about any subject in the confidence that they will be listened to without their gossip being spread around.
The team leader will not show any member of their team any form of favouritism. They will show their expertise without bragging about the knowledge they have.
A good team leader will be able to motivate their team to work efficiently and will provide a superb atmosphere to work in. Each member of the team should therefore look forward to coming to work each day and therefore the business will not be adversely affected from a high absence rate.
When things go wrong, we all make mistakes from time to time; the team leader should be big enough to shoulder the blame, rather than passing the buck.
http://business-square.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1106545
Any team will need to be led by a powerful, dynamic and confident leader. All of the team should have full respect for their leader and this respect will need to be earned. The team leader should therefore be prepared to muck in where necessary and needs to lead the team from the front. As a simple example there is absolutely no point is telling your team members that they are no longer allowed to send text messages during working hours if you continue to send them yourself. This will result in a lack of respect for you!
Each member of the team should feel able to approach and speak to their team leader about any subject in the confidence that they will be listened to without their gossip being spread around.
The team leader will not show any member of their team any form of favouritism. They will show their expertise without bragging about the knowledge they have.
A good team leader will be able to motivate their team to work efficiently and will provide a superb atmosphere to work in. Each member of the team should therefore look forward to coming to work each day and therefore the business will not be adversely affected from a high absence rate.
When things go wrong, we all make mistakes from time to time; the team leader should be big enough to shoulder the blame, rather than passing the buck.
http://business-square.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1106545
Are You an Effective Team Leader?
Understandably, most businesses are focused on nurturing the relationships with their clients, but running a successful business is also dependent on effective management and leadership skills. If your employees aren't functioning to the best of their abilities, your business won't be either. So, ask yourself, are you an effective team leader?
Do you lead by example?
One of the best ways to fully understand how to become an effective leader is leading by example. You're not entitled to talk the talk if you can't walk the walk. If you expect your team to work diligently to meet a goal, you must do so yourself. If you expect your team to dress in certain attire each day, you must do so yourself. And, if you expect your team to constantly improve their productivity, share your secrets for continuous personal and professional improvement.
If you're not sure how to do these things yourself, don't expect your team to fully grasp the importance of productivity. An admirable trait of effective team leaders is that they're constantly improving themselves so they can pass their newfound knowledge onto their team. You are an effective leader if you can identify this trait in your own business practice.
Action Step: If you are not leading by example, then change your actions immediately. How can you expect your team to follow your golden rules if you do not follow them yourself? Think about that.
Are you compassionate and patient, yet firm?
In order to understand how to be an effective leader, you must be compassionate to the human condition. Effective leaders are understanding and patient; yet do not allow themselves or their team to compromise on the very things that make a business successful. As a leader, you are never above your team. Instead, you are beside them, willing to dig in the trenches alongside them. At the same time, they clearly look to you as a team leader. You help them to focus on their own growth, because that benefits the success of your business.
Action Step: Reaffirm you are a team - and operate as a team. At the next team meeting, ask for their feedback. What's working? What's not working? Listen first, offer solutions second. Involve them in the solution process by asking for possible solutions to problems. If you ask for their opinion, you must be dedicated to helping resolve issues.
Are you an approachable leader?
One of the most valuable traits of an effective team leader is that they're willing to teach. Some team leaders will scold employees and expect them to learn new concepts at the blink of an eye - and this is a perfect example of the actions of an ineffective team leader. An effective leader understands that each person has a different style and pace of learning. While one team member may be able to catch on instantly, another may require more guidance. Effective leaders never criticize learning styles or pace - they adjust their teaching style to accommodate the team member's learning ability.
Can your team approach you with a question and receive a clear, neutral answer? Effective leaders will always be accessible to their team, especially in time of need. If your team is terrified to approach you for help, they will not be performing to their fullest potential.
Action Step: Practice being approachable. At times, team members will come to you for help when it is convenient for them, but not so convenient for you. Often times, you will need to shift gears quickly, but without appearing irritated or frustrated. Always try to improve your approach with team members, showing calmness, professionalism and immediate solutions.
Do your actions build team loyalty?
An effective leader doesn't earn loyalty by instilling fear. An effective leader knows how to positively gain trust, loyalty and dedication of the entire team. Your team will only back you up when you back them up. This is where it has to be given, without expectation, before it will be returned. Just as you will remember when your team went to bat for you, they will remember when you did the same for them. Every time you stand behind them, this builds loyalty and a valuable team mentality.
Be sure to choose quality team members who show a solid history of reliability, consistent performance, and stability when building your team. Hire a teenager with a reputation for not showing up to his previous place of employment, and you can be assured you will see the same. Be particular about potential team members and do thorough research and reference checks before bringing them on board.
- Other Tips to Build Team Loyalty...
- Pay above minimum wage
- Be flexible when there's a disaster or emergency
- Give holiday bonuses or small gifts
- Hold team building events (e.g. sports, meals, or an afternoon trip to the coffeehouse)
- Remember birthdays and employment anniversaries
Action Step: Evaluate your team members. Are they the right team? Do they deliver what the business needs to grow? Are you providing incentive and support for the team's effective performance? Identify changes or adjustments needed to make the business more effective and efficient: possibly adjust tasks per member, re-delegate to a different team member, release or add team members, adjust systems and processes, or create improved incentives that inspire your team.
So how did you score? Being an effective leader takes time and lots of personal development. Honestly, some people will never be effective leaders because it doesn't suit their personality. However, as an entrepreneur and business owner, it is vital that you become the best leader you can be so your business, and your team, can grow personally and professionally. Ultimately, how far you want to take your success depends on you. When you commit to evolving into the best person you can be, your success follows suit - and so does your team.
http://business-square.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5537352
Do you lead by example?
One of the best ways to fully understand how to become an effective leader is leading by example. You're not entitled to talk the talk if you can't walk the walk. If you expect your team to work diligently to meet a goal, you must do so yourself. If you expect your team to dress in certain attire each day, you must do so yourself. And, if you expect your team to constantly improve their productivity, share your secrets for continuous personal and professional improvement.
If you're not sure how to do these things yourself, don't expect your team to fully grasp the importance of productivity. An admirable trait of effective team leaders is that they're constantly improving themselves so they can pass their newfound knowledge onto their team. You are an effective leader if you can identify this trait in your own business practice.
Action Step: If you are not leading by example, then change your actions immediately. How can you expect your team to follow your golden rules if you do not follow them yourself? Think about that.
Are you compassionate and patient, yet firm?
In order to understand how to be an effective leader, you must be compassionate to the human condition. Effective leaders are understanding and patient; yet do not allow themselves or their team to compromise on the very things that make a business successful. As a leader, you are never above your team. Instead, you are beside them, willing to dig in the trenches alongside them. At the same time, they clearly look to you as a team leader. You help them to focus on their own growth, because that benefits the success of your business.
Action Step: Reaffirm you are a team - and operate as a team. At the next team meeting, ask for their feedback. What's working? What's not working? Listen first, offer solutions second. Involve them in the solution process by asking for possible solutions to problems. If you ask for their opinion, you must be dedicated to helping resolve issues.
Are you an approachable leader?
One of the most valuable traits of an effective team leader is that they're willing to teach. Some team leaders will scold employees and expect them to learn new concepts at the blink of an eye - and this is a perfect example of the actions of an ineffective team leader. An effective leader understands that each person has a different style and pace of learning. While one team member may be able to catch on instantly, another may require more guidance. Effective leaders never criticize learning styles or pace - they adjust their teaching style to accommodate the team member's learning ability.
Can your team approach you with a question and receive a clear, neutral answer? Effective leaders will always be accessible to their team, especially in time of need. If your team is terrified to approach you for help, they will not be performing to their fullest potential.
Action Step: Practice being approachable. At times, team members will come to you for help when it is convenient for them, but not so convenient for you. Often times, you will need to shift gears quickly, but without appearing irritated or frustrated. Always try to improve your approach with team members, showing calmness, professionalism and immediate solutions.
Do your actions build team loyalty?
An effective leader doesn't earn loyalty by instilling fear. An effective leader knows how to positively gain trust, loyalty and dedication of the entire team. Your team will only back you up when you back them up. This is where it has to be given, without expectation, before it will be returned. Just as you will remember when your team went to bat for you, they will remember when you did the same for them. Every time you stand behind them, this builds loyalty and a valuable team mentality.
Be sure to choose quality team members who show a solid history of reliability, consistent performance, and stability when building your team. Hire a teenager with a reputation for not showing up to his previous place of employment, and you can be assured you will see the same. Be particular about potential team members and do thorough research and reference checks before bringing them on board.
- Other Tips to Build Team Loyalty...
- Pay above minimum wage
- Be flexible when there's a disaster or emergency
- Give holiday bonuses or small gifts
- Hold team building events (e.g. sports, meals, or an afternoon trip to the coffeehouse)
- Remember birthdays and employment anniversaries
Action Step: Evaluate your team members. Are they the right team? Do they deliver what the business needs to grow? Are you providing incentive and support for the team's effective performance? Identify changes or adjustments needed to make the business more effective and efficient: possibly adjust tasks per member, re-delegate to a different team member, release or add team members, adjust systems and processes, or create improved incentives that inspire your team.
So how did you score? Being an effective leader takes time and lots of personal development. Honestly, some people will never be effective leaders because it doesn't suit their personality. However, as an entrepreneur and business owner, it is vital that you become the best leader you can be so your business, and your team, can grow personally and professionally. Ultimately, how far you want to take your success depends on you. When you commit to evolving into the best person you can be, your success follows suit - and so does your team.
http://business-square.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5537352
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