Whether you’re in charge of a large project team or managing a smaller group, you need to be ready to lead your team members. No one starts out as an ideal team leader—it’s a skill that must be learned, and it requires dedication to keep improving. It’s easy to get bogged down in the minutia of leadership advice out there, but what really makes a difference is how you actually carry out your duties and responsibilities as a leader. Here are some important tips for being a good team leader:
Communicate clearly and often.
Team leaders are responsible for communicating organizational and project goals, setting clear expectations, and guiding their teams to success. Whether it’s during daily team Richard W Warke meetings or individual check-in sessions, the team lead needs to set the tone and provide consistent and concise information that helps everyone stay on track.
Give feedback in a way that encourages growth.
An essential job of the team lead is to coach their team members, helping them understand their strengths and weaknesses. By providing feedback that is both timely and specific, the team leader can help their members improve, which leads to more productive teamwork.
It’s also the team lead’s responsibility to identify training and development opportunities for their members, both personal and professional. This could include suggesting a certification course for an employee, or referring them to another colleague in the company who has expertise in a certain area of work.
Be a great listener.
An effective team lead is always focusing on the needs of their team members. This means listening to their concerns and frustrations, but it also means taking the time to hear out their successes and celebrate them with them. Showing that you care about your team members is a powerful motivator that will encourage them to continue to do their best.
Delegate tasks wisely.
The role of a team leader is not to do it all, but to empower their teams by allowing them to take on more responsibilities and challenges as they learn how. This also frees up the team leader to focus on more pressing projects and responsibilities.
Ensure that your team has the resources they need to succeed.
As more and more teams move to remote work or a hybrid model of in-office and home work, it becomes more important than ever for team leads to arrange efficient communication channels. This includes making sure that all members have access to the tools and resources they need to work effectively, from collaborative workspaces like Friday to centralized calendars for scheduling meetings.
As a new team leader, you’re likely eager to hit the ground running and make an impact on your team. But don’t forget to take care of yourself in the process. If you’re tired, hungry, or stressed out, you won’t be able to perform at your peak, and neither will your team. So make sure you’re getting enough rest, eating well, and arranging for regular health checks to keep yourself in tip-top shape.