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June 1, 2003
Eight Tips for Successful Team Leadership
By Vasilios Fevgas
You've just been chosen team leader — and no matter whether it is a subject-orientated, grade-level, school-wide, or district-wide team, as leader it is your responsibility to make sure it runs effectively and performs its tasks. You're the leader, and you need to understand how to make this venture run smoothly.
Understand that each member brings a unique set of gifts to an organization and the role of leadership is to liberate and enable these gifts. Here are some ways leadership can liberate and enable these.
1. Communicate effectively.
Leaders must make sure the team has clearly defined goals and that those goals align with the overall vision, goals and objectives of the grade, school, district, etc. People need the stimulation of human communication, particularly in times of change, challenge and uncertainty. What is needed for leadership is to communicate the vision, and that involves face to face contact sessions, dialogue and opportunity for people to meet and discuss the key issues. Knowing the overall vision, objectives, and goals will allow the leader and the team to develop strategies that will make their work more effective.
2. Persuade team members to action.
Set clear goals and show to team members the benefits that the grade, school, district, etc. will get for their action. Leadership must support them to reach those goals.
3. Release the potential of the people.
Any organization contains an incredible amount of human talent, most of which lays undeveloped. It is leadership's responsibility to unlock this human potential and engage people's brains rather than stifling their attempts at being creative in how they go about their work.
4. Reward a great job.
Leadership is needed not only to help the team member feel better about their job but to feel more supportive of their mate's work. Leadership needs to roll up its sleeves and get to the front line to see the action that causes the results and then promote that action.
5. Be observant and listen.
The leadership must be observant and listen between the lines of the words the team members are saying. Lack of communication can be a big problem in the workplace.
6. Support their needs.
If a person on your team asks for a piece of equipment, a resource, or additional training, don't always make them defend it. It will kill morale. If it seems even remotely helpful to them, make sure they can obtain it. It will let them know you trust them and want to be supportive.
7. Trust to be trusted.
Trust is an important element of good leadership so as to create a team spirit and to unleash the creativity of the team members. It is something that is very hard to earn and very easy to lose. Leadership must trust the team members and they will trust you. Without trust suspiciousness arises and any attempt for creativity is ineffectual.
8. Create understanding.
In any change program, it is vital that everyone involved knows and understands the reasons behind the change. So often the news of the change and the reasons behind it are spread by rumour and speculation What is needed is a process whereby everyone is informed about the reasons for the change so that understanding is created through the organization at all levels.
Email: Vasilios Fevgas
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