A Collection of Ideas for Being a Team Leader

"The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say "I." And that's not because they have trained themselves not to say "I." They don't think "I." They think "we"; they think "team." They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don't sidestep it, but "we" gets the credit. This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done."

- Peter Drucker

"Vision is caught, not taught. People respond to vision."

- Terrence Donahue

"Great team leaders are servant leaders. They see and hear between the lines of communications. They are intuitive, proactive, and great problem solvers. They recognize when a team member is struggling with personal issues versus with professional issues and skillfully address the issues with empathy and consideration."

- Sue Drake

"Managing is about accomplishing the day-to-day tasks, including administration, coordination, and process. Leading is about transforming: big picture changes that excite and motivate. The best leaders can do both well and are worth their weight in gold."

- Donald Sandel

"You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership."

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Team leader competencies

A team leader values

• collaboration versus individual contribution
• creative problem solving and innovation by supporting and initiating new ideas, methods, and solutions of the team.

A team leader demonstrates

• great team building skills and sensitivity by getting others to work cooperatively
• concern for quality by monitoring quality and accuracy of others' work and by personally maintaining high standards of quality
• results orientation by focusing on setting and achieving challenging goals for self and others
• interpersonal relationship management and communication skills by sharing ideas, opinions, and feelings with others in a way that builds consensus.

A team leader

• uses analytical thinking to identify root causes to problems
• uses a logical, sequential approach to problem solving; and weighs costs and benefits of possible solutions
• is skilled at breaking down goals and projects into component tasks, gives instruction effectively, and enlists team and organizational.

Although it is sometimes hard to do, it is crucial that team members place their personal agendas by the wayside for the greater good of the team.

Five stages of team development

1. Forming. The group explores relationships with other members and determines what behaviors are acceptable.
2. Storming. Members begin to participate and influence the team's decisions.
3. Norming. The team identifies acceptable ways to interact with each other as members establish norms of acceptable behavior and operation.
4. Performing. Individuals begin to work cohesively within their established team expectations and experience success in achieving the team's goals.
5. Adjourning. When the team disbands, members evaluate the team's work; document its process, findings, and outcomes; and celebrate the team's efforts.