How To Become A Better Team Leader
I thought it would be a no brainer to surge ahead, step up and lead a team of people, but I quicklyfound out that I was quite mistaken. I'm sure I am not the only person in many different industries and professions that could use some tips on how to become a better team leader. I'm sure that we can all benefit on becoming more productive and more effective when working in the team environment.
Since I often fall flat on my face when leading groups and workforces, I asked some of the team leaders that I really admire what they felt makes a great team leader so I could work on those particular skills. Here is what I learned from them and I think the following will be of great help to you too:
1. Increase Your Total Self Awareness
To lead effectively, you need to be totally self aware of yourself and how you perform. And this isn't identifying faults but understanding the motivation, the impact, what your good at and where you tend to struggle. When you are totally self aware you will be building your team from a very strong foundation and you will be operating at your most productive levels.
2. Know Your Decision Making Method
Everyone on the team is not going to agree all the time and with every decision that is made but you will find that procrastination will frustrate everyone. Be sure with all major decisions, you have a very clear criteria and method for making these decisions so that things always stay moving forward.
3. Support and Encourage You Team
Sometimes we forget how hard it can be doing something for the first time or trying to do something under new circumstances. Some team members will have no issues while others can have some difficulty. As a leader, be sure you are supporting and encouraging your team through good times and especially bad times.
4. Find a Mentor
A good mentor will guide you into becoming a great team leader and someone you highly respect and don't mind learning from. But sure this mentor has the skill in which you wish to acquire. Having a mentor in the same industry as the one you wish to lead is also extremely helpful.
Doing these four steps will send you on your way in becoming a great team leader. Learning to be a good leader is a lifelong process so enjoy it and be sure you are learning something new every day.
Since I often fall flat on my face when leading groups and workforces, I asked some of the team leaders that I really admire what they felt makes a great team leader so I could work on those particular skills. Here is what I learned from them and I think the following will be of great help to you too:
1. Increase Your Total Self Awareness
To lead effectively, you need to be totally self aware of yourself and how you perform. And this isn't identifying faults but understanding the motivation, the impact, what your good at and where you tend to struggle. When you are totally self aware you will be building your team from a very strong foundation and you will be operating at your most productive levels.
2. Know Your Decision Making Method
Everyone on the team is not going to agree all the time and with every decision that is made but you will find that procrastination will frustrate everyone. Be sure with all major decisions, you have a very clear criteria and method for making these decisions so that things always stay moving forward.
3. Support and Encourage You Team
Sometimes we forget how hard it can be doing something for the first time or trying to do something under new circumstances. Some team members will have no issues while others can have some difficulty. As a leader, be sure you are supporting and encouraging your team through good times and especially bad times.
4. Find a Mentor
A good mentor will guide you into becoming a great team leader and someone you highly respect and don't mind learning from. But sure this mentor has the skill in which you wish to acquire. Having a mentor in the same industry as the one you wish to lead is also extremely helpful.
Doing these four steps will send you on your way in becoming a great team leader. Learning to be a good leader is a lifelong process so enjoy it and be sure you are learning something new every day.
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