How to Become a Successful Team Leader

Without a doubt having strong leadership skills positively contributes to your career, regardless of what position you currently hold. Being a team leader implies providing guidance and support to your coworkers, and you can either choose to fulfill this responsibility voluntarily or be assigned to do it. There is essential information you need to know to succeed in this role.

Identify Your Leadership Style

A good team leader knows their strengths and weaknesses that are reflected in their own leadership style. Therefore, based on your observations, you should first determine how you approach the task of guiding a team. There are six principal types of leadership.

Coaching

Coaching leaders develop, mentor, and teach people on their team. Their central goal is to help other employees improve performance and enhance long-term strengths.

Visionary

Visionary leaders set the path to progress and change. They behave in a future-oriented and innovative manner, as well as help companies grow and bring unity to the team.

Servant

People always come first in servant leadership. Leaders with this style fulfill coworkers’ professional needs, build strong team morale, and boost employee loyalty.

Autocratic

Autocratic leaders are strictly focused on results and efficiency. They usually demand immediate compliance from employees and make important decisions with small trusted groups.

Democratic

Feedback of the team is highly important for democratic leaders before they make a decision. Such an approach results in employees feeling empowered and builds consensus.

Pacesetting

Pacesetters are often focused on the timely completion of goals. They set a competitive standard for performance and keep their team members energized.

Now that you’ve figured out your leadership style, let’s explore the chief responsibilities you’re expected to take on and fulfill as a team leader.

Be Aware of Your Main Responsibilities

As a team leader, you should be well acquainted with your duties. It is a versatile position to hold with a diverse range of tasks that all come down to the five most important responsibilities.

Keeping these responsibilities in mind and implementing all tasks associated with each one of them is a key component of a formula for team-leading success.

Your ability to satisfy main duties depends largely on whether or not you’re capable of motivating your team. Everyone on the team plays an essential role in reaching the set goals, and therefore, your task is to enable coworker’s growth, their efficient utilization of personal skills, and ensure the team’s well-being.

Know Ways to Motivate Your Team

There is a wide array of ways you could inspire your teammates to do their best, and it can be quite challenging to find the most suitable approach. Here are four ways you should boost the level of motivation in your team.

Establish Team Values

Team values ought to be consistent with the core values of the company. It’s your job to identify the main beliefs based on which your team should operate. You need to make sure that everyone knows, understands, and upholds these values.

Lead by Example

If you show hard work and dedication to your own tasks, other coworkers will naturally try to aim for the same level of professionalism and commitment. Everyone has a role model, and you always have a chance to become one for someone else.

Follow the Rules

There is no doubt that following rules often yields satisfactory results. If you expect people on your team to abide by certain rules, you’re equally expected to do so as well.

Show Recognition

Most employees frequently face intense deadlines and exhausting tasks on their agenda. It comes as no surprise that when a team leader appreciates their work, they are willing to stay strong and work towards the goals with a higher level of determination.

Your goal as a team leader is not to create a team of stars but rather a star team. Your coworkers need to be mobilized to achieve great things your company is striving for, and you’re there to make that happen in the most beautiful and productive way!