TEAM LEADERSHIP: DOS AND DONTS

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 skills The 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 diversity Usually a team is composed of people coming from variety of levels and different 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.

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.

INTRODUCTION

Team 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.

DOS

2.1 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 members make. 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 communication In 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 is quite essential. 2.3 Set high goals Goal 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 enthusiastic Motivating the team is vital in order to achieve the goals and to fulfill the targets within the given timeline with higher effectiveness. An enthusiastic team leader has the potential to motivate their team through their own enthusiasm. 2.5 Delegate work

3.

DONTS

3.1 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 members Even 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 Micromanage It 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 judgment The 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

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 facilitator The 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 on regular basis to the full team helps to track whether deadlines are met. 3.7 Play favorites Every 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 weaknesses Achieving goals, meeting deadlines and workload can put lot of pressure on the team leader. Due to immense pressure, a persons strengths can become 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.

Uyeno,J (2011) What Are the Benefits of Team Leadership? [Online]. Available from: http://www.ehow.com/info_7736227_benefits-teamleadership.html [Accessed: 2 August 2011] Doanddonts.blogspot.com (2007) Do's and don'ts of effective team leadership [Online]. Available from: http://doanddonts.blogspot.com/2007/02/dos-and-donts-of-effectiveteam.html [Accessed: 3 August 2011] Hughes, Liz (2004) Do's and don'ts of effective team leadership [Online]. Available from: http://www.allbusiness.com/humanresources/employee-development-leadership/1079086-1.html [Accessed: 3 August 2011] Gaebler (2011) Leadership do's and don'ts [Online]. Available from: http://www.gaebler.com/Leadership-Dos-and-Donts.htm [Accessed: 3 August 2011] Blumenthal,A (2011) Essential leadership do's and don'ts [Online]. Available from: http://andyblumenthal.posterous.com/essentialleadership-dos-and-donts [Accessed: 3 August 2011] The Teal Trust (2011) What makes a good team leader? [Online]. Available from: http://www.teal.org.uk/et/page5.htm [Accessed: 3 August 2011] Cyprus,S (2011) What is team leadership? [Online]. Available from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-team-leadership.htm [Accessed: 4 August 2011] Clarke,D (2011) Growing a team [Online]. Available from: http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadtem.html [Accessed: 4 August 2011]

4.

SUMMARY

Dos and donts relevant to 15 different team leadership attributes can be listed as in following table. Attributes Dos Donts Managing 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
5.

REFERENCES

Startups (2011) Leadership dos and donts [Online]. Available from: http://www.startups.co.uk/leadership-do-s-and-don-ts.html [Accessed: 2 August 2011] Bordenm (2009) Team Leadership and self-managed teams [Online]. Available from: http://www2.uhv.edu/chapao/MGT4314/PPT/Chp8.pdf [Accessed: 2 August 2011]