HWGTA helps employers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to plug their skills gaps and develop their teams. Here’s what we think makes a good team leader.
The team leader role is critical in any organisation. They set the tone, pass on information and deal with issues as efficiently as they can. Done well, teams stay focused and productive. Done poorly and problems tend to surface very quickly.
Team leaders are often promoted within your business because they know the job well. That’s a fundamental advantage you have when it comes to promoting from within instead of bringing in someone new.
As a local training provider, HWGTA helps local employers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to plug their skills gaps and develop their teams. In our experience, here’s what we think makes a good team leader.
Clear and practical communication
A good team leader communicates clearly, concisely and regularly.
They pass on information in a way that makes sense to the team (or whoever else it may be going to), which, in turn, helps them do their work properly.
It might include explaining tasks, sharing updates, making expectations clear or condensing information so it doesn’t overwhelm people. It also means listening. A good team leader takes the time to hear concerns, questions, ideas and requests for help.
Leading by example
A good team leader does what they expect others in their team to do. They lead by example. That means showing up prepared, bringing a can-do attitude, following processes and taking responsibility for their actions.
When your team leaders act like this, it builds trust. Their team members are far more likely to believe in a supervisor or manager when they show they’re just as committed. It helps to build a positive workplace culture.
Supporting people
A good team leader should act as the first point of contact for their team. They’ll know how to support their team without trying to win popularity.
They should check their team members’ progress, offer guidance and step in to help if anyone needs it.
Equally important is knowing when to give people the space to work independently, to build confidence and skills of their own.
Managing performance fairly
Good team leaders address performance early and fairly. That goes both ways. They should recognise, highlight and reward good work, and raise concerns when the standards slip.
This, of course, ties back to communication and supporting people. Fair performance management involves having clear conversations about expectations and outcomes. It also means focusing on results and behaviour, not personality. A good team leader never shows favouritism, even to their friends.
Staying calm under pressure
Stress and pressure are part of the working life. Individuals within your organisation must be equipped to deal with deadlines, change and expecting the unexpected. As such, a good team leader should be someone who stays steady when things become challenging. They should be able to keep the team focused on the next most logical step. In short, you’re looking for someone who can stay calm under pressure, to prevent tension from spreading.
Organising work and priorities
A good team leader plays a key role in organising, interpreting and delegating work between their team members and allocating the appropriate resources.
You’re looking for someone who can plan realistic workloads, adjust things when the circumstances change (as they often do), and explain why certain tasks should take precedence over others. This kind of organisation and prioritisation will help your teams understand why they’re working on certain things, so they can manage their time better and reduce stress.
Being responsive and responsible
A good team leader should be a reliable link between their team and the wider organisation. They should be responsive to direction and responsible in how they carry it out.
This comes out in their clarity and their focus on scope. However, it’s also seen in their responsible attitude, and how they represent your organisation. In a healthy and productive business, a good team leader should be a mirror of good senior leadership.
Why good team leadership matters
Team leaders influence performance more than their job title suggests. They translate strategy into action and have a big bearing on how your business performs day-to-day.
Many team leaders step into their newly promoted roles with plenty of technical skills. However, most need some support when it comes to people developing their leadership and management skills. It’s essential to provide your team members with this training to give them the confidence they need to handle their new responsibilities.
At HWGTA, leadership development forms part of a wider commitment to boosting skills across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We work with local employers to develop their team leaders through ILM leadership and management training. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our courses and apprenticeships.