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Important Traits of a Team Leader

October 18, 1999

"Everyone can benefit from team leadership skills in today's changing business climate.  To gain the respect of others, you must earn it.  To be a role model, you must set a positive example.  To lead others, you must lead yourself.
* Speaking and Listening Skills
When people are directing themselves, they need constant input and information.   They require someone to listen to their ideas and opinions.  Communication plays an important role in evaluating team members' needs. 
* Understanding
Demonstrating commitment and fairness is necessary.  Investing time to understand people brings tremendous dividends in open communication.  In-depth knowledge of the company's goals and mission is essential.
* Problem-Solving Skills
A team leader helps solve problems rather than direct change.  He or she needs the ability to address problem situations by letting people try their own solutions.  The team leader must participate in person by lead invisibly.
* Empowerment
It is important to shift the spotlight to the people who are actually doing the work.  Empowerment focuses on individual and team responsibility.  It gives the participants a sense of ownership and commitment.
* Recognition
Offering praise and recognition is an important component of the new team leader's role.  He or she must ensure that everyone receives credit for excellence.  Empowered employees work harder when they know their work is appreciated.
* Vision
The team leader must have the ability to develop and share a clearly defined sense of direction.  The strength of a leader's vision, along with the ability to clearly define how it applies to the future, is a measure of effective leadership.
* Influence
A goal-oriented leader will be able to influence others to think and act productively.  A team leader must be clear about his or her goals and understand the needs and requirements of group members.
* Self-Motivation
A self-starter will lead by example.  Some leaders have been known to tell people what to do.  Today, a team leader ahs to demonstrate methods and procedures through his or her actions.

If you practice the above traits of team leaders, you will be an important pathfinder and pilot, directing your company to a prosperous future (Teamwork, 1996, p.4). "

Reference:  Staff. (1996, October 28). Important Traits of a Team Leader.  Teamwork:  Your Personal Guide to Working Successfully with People.

Do you possess the traits of a team leader?

*Teamwork:Your Personal Guide to Working Successfully with People is available on loan at the OSU Leadership Center.  A listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~leaders

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Created: 2009-01-06, Updated: 2009-01-16