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TEAM LEADERSHIP: DOS AND DONTS

ABSTRACT

A study carried out on dos and donts with regard to the team leadership. This

paper focuses on the findings of this research. The team leader may need to carry

out good practices and avoid malpractices in order to be an effective team leader.

Being effective results in better team performance, otherwise it will lead to

demoralized, dissatisfied and underperforming teams.

1. INTRODUCTIONTeam leadership is the management of a group of people come together

to achieve a common goal, making decisions in the absence of a

consensus, resolving conflict between team members and coordinating

team efforts. Effective and productive teams have a positive impact on

the results and the success of the organization. Likewise, ineffective

teams can often consume resources, waste time, and contribute to

negative morale. Team leadership is extremely important since teams

with good leadership function effectively and productively. Team

leadership dos and donts are list of things that should be followed and

should be avoided in order to become an effective team leader. In

addition, it will result in effective and productive teams. During this

report some major points on dos and donts are discussed. Then it is

followed by a summary of dos and donts with regard to team leadership

attributes.

2. DOS2.1 Be a facilitator

A team leader has to be a facilitator but not a supervisor. Because

effective leadership is about encouraging the team and being a motivator

rather than a supervisor who watches every move that team membersmake. The team members do not like a boss, who tries to control

everything. Therefore when facilitating the team, it gives liberty to the

team members to work more independently with more confidence and

authority to make decisions on behalf the team.

2.2 Maintain communicationIn order to become a good team leader it is important to maintain

effective communication. Effective communication is that sent message

is received by correct audience and the intended message is understood.

The team leader needs to have good communication with team members

as well as with his or superiors. As a result of constant and clear

communication it enables to give rapid feedback to the team, which isquite essential.

2.3 Set high goalsGoal setting is a key part of a team. It is the responsibility of the team

leader to set high goals. These goals must be achievable. Otherwise if

these goals are not realistic, the team will get demoralized and

dissatisfied.

2.4 Be enthusiasticMotivating the team is vital in order to achieve the goals and to fulfill

the targets within the given timeline with higher effectiveness. Anenthusiastic team leader has the potential to motivate their team through

their own enthusiasm.

2.5 Delegate work

The team leader needs to understand that he or she cannot manage every

aspect of a project or task at hand. Admitting this reality is a good sign

of a capable leader. The best way to handle the workload is to delegate

selected tasks to the team members whom can be trusted and capable of

doing them. When tasks are delegated effectively, the team leader may

earn respect from fellow team members. Moreover, giving challenges

and responsibilities continually to the team members helps to maintain

their morale and passion.

2.6 Perfect people skillsThe team leader must try to perfect his or her people skills. In a sense

become a role model to the team. For that, the team leader needs to

demonstrate excellent collaborative skills such as diplomacy, persuasion

and negotiation. It is quite essential to emphasize on the importance of

team work and giving priority to the team goals rather than to the

individual ones.

2.7 Support teams diversityUsually a team is composed of people coming from variety of levels anddifferent backgrounds. If it is a virtual team, the individuals may have to

work across time, space and organizational boundaries. The team

members may have to work not only with company employees but also

with contract and project professionals. Therefore, it is the duty of the

team leader to ensure that all the participants understand this diversity.

The team leadership must stress flexibility, open communication as well

as equal respect to each others ideas, which will support teams

diversity.

3. DONTS3.1 Push too hard

Sometimes the enthusiastic leaders tend to become perfectionists. The

perfectionists try to push teams talents and abilities too far. Eventually,

team members lose their motivation and become demoralized.

3.2 Over empower team membersEven though empowering the team members is a good strategy, it is

important to not to over empower them and let them take over the

leadership roles. Ensure that team members are given proper attention in

team situations.

3.3 MicromanageIt is not a good practice to second guess the team members every

action. If it happens, team members will feel negative about the value of

their contributions. In simple terms, as a team leader do not try to

dictate. Give some freedom of action to them after defining the teams

objectives and responsibilities.

3.4 Pass judgmentThe team leader must never jump to conclusions regarding any team

members ideas or comments. The better option is to welcome all

suggestions and ready to listen to others.

3.5 Withhold information

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Certain insecure and ineffective team leaders restrict the flow of

information as they think that knowledge is the power. The good leaders

share the news, knowledge, ideas and strategies they receive from their

senior management.

3.6 Abandon role as facilitatorThe team leader must allow team members much autonomy as possible.

But at the same time needs to ensure that the team is focused on the

mission. Asking the team members to report their individual progress onregular basis to the full team helps to track whether deadlines are met.

3.7 Play favoritesEvery team has stars. Stars are people who outshine among others since

they are highly skilled and competent. Limiting attention to these stars

would cause segregation within the team. Furthermore, others will feel

they are neglected and their contributions are not recognized.

3.8 Let strengths become weaknessesAchieving goals, meeting deadlines and workload can put lot of pressure

on the team leader. Due to immense pressure, a persons strengths canbecome weaknesses. As a result of pressure the enthusiastic leaders

might not able to hold their attention and become shortsighted. A

confident leader might become arrogant and refuse to admit the

mistakes he has made. Moreover, a careful leader could become over

cautious and afraid to take risks.

4. SUMMARYDos and donts relevant to 15 different team leadership attributes can be

listed as in following table.

Attributes Dos DontsManaging Empower Micromanage

Supporting Backing Undermine

Availability Approachable Disengaged

Vision Long-term Short-term

New Ideas Receptive Closed

Audacity Courageous Cowering

Consciousness Self-aware Oblivious

Team Builds Disrupts

Communication Clear/Frequent Poor

Attitude Positive Grumpy

Technically Proficient Lacking

Trust Demonstrates Withholds

Fair Always Favoritism

Feedback Balanced Negative

Coaching Regularly Overlooked

Table 1: Dos and donts with regard to team leadership

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