The Fair, Influential Team Leader

This article on the team leader is part VIII of our 12-part series on the different leadership styles. You can check out October’s Monthly Huddle to get a general overview and follow along each week as we explore them in-depth. 

Teams are the lifeblood of many businesses, and it takes a special kind of leadership to bring them to their full potential. Not only do team leaders need to be high-energy and focused, but they must also be extremely adaptable in order to meet the needs of each of the individual personalities at play within their professional dynamic.

What Defines a Team Leader?

Team leaders typically head a smaller group within a division or department, working to help the group perform at the highest caliber possible. They must do so with clarity and foresight, bringing together people who both possess the skills necessary to achieve the common goal and are capable of working together towards that shared objective.

Similar to the coaching leadership style, a team leader sets their sights on honing the abilities of each person under their care. The key difference, though, is that instead of helping each team member become their individual best, they guide them towards becoming a more accomplished collaborator.

Personality

The team leadership style is characterized by a supportive and purposeful personality. They understand that long-term collaboration requires mutual growth and shared experiences. Instead of expecting teams to go along to get along, they intentionally place groups in situations that require cooperative participation. 

A team leader must also be highly motivated, quick-thinking, and have an emotional maturity that allows them to deftly handle conflict that will inevitably arise in the early stages of building a crew. Their “big picture” thinking helps them see the light at the end of the tunnel when problems arise and recognize that solving those early problems wisely means a greater likelihood of long-term success. 

Decision-Making

When a team leader faces a decision, they think in terms of what’s best for all members of that group. They speak frankly with their team in an effort to sus out the collective opinion but are willing to make tough choices when there isn’t a common consensus. 

Team leaders also hold themselves to high standards in terms of making well-informed decisions.  Because they teach their crew to ask probing questions, they want to be prepared to justify their choices. For that reason, they will always take the time to gather any relevant information, preferring to “look before they leap.”

Situations Where Autocratic Leaders Thrive

  • In an industry that encourages long-term projects as they work their best when it’s with a well-oiled, efficient team. These teams are developed over months or years, forming a cooperative that tackles big problems under the guidance of their team leader. 
  • Businesses that allow room for failure because team leaders understand that all great successes require the learning opportunities and group bonding that failure provides. 
  •  With groups that have a common objective but lack the empowerment to achieve the final goal. Under these circumstances, a team leader can help the group understand how meaningful their work is and give them ownership over their challenges. 

Wrap Up: The Pros and Cons of Authoritative Leadership

Pros

  • Team leaders are a positive force to be reckoned with once their team is fully functional. Their ability to get things done with the help of a highly collaborative crew is unmatched. 
  • The skills that they teach their collaborative group are transferable, so the employees that they work with demonstrate autonomy, confidence, and creativity even when working outside of the confines of their core team. 

Cons

  • A team leader takes their time when pulling together their group, so results can sometimes take longer than expected. There is no rushing a team leader. They’d rather take their time to ensure each person is prepared to step into their role rather than getting the job down fast. 
  • Team leaders bear the brunt of others’ scrutiny if their team fails to follow through on a particular objective. This can be a burden on their confidence as a leader, especially if their crew falls into disarray and in-fighting following a professional blunder. 
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