Team leaders are responsible for catalyzing and aligning the energy, activities and focus of the team to achieve the common goal. If you need to appoint someone to lead a team, what qualities should you look for?
First, do not choose someone just because they have technical expertise or they are a star performer. They may end up alienating the team and trying to do all the work themselves. This could lead to disaster.
Instead, look for actual experience or evidence of clear potential of leadership capabilities even if the person has never held a management position.
Through conversations with potential candidates and others who can tell you about the candidate’s past performance, determine if potential team leaders exhibit the following abilities:
- Demonstrate vivacious energy, infusing every meeting and hallway conversation with passion for the work that needs to be done and enthusiasm for the future. This means that not only must team leaders believe that the work they are doing is vital, but they need to take care of their health through steady exercises, a healthy diet, and taking time for pleasurable pursuits to stay refreshed, light-hearted and good-natured.
- Let go of being the best performer. Superstars often have a hard time letting go of the glory in order to develop others to be superstars, but this is essential.
- Hold a strategic perspective while making sure the tactical plans are created and completed.
- Practice calculated risk-taking which includes allowing for mistakes. This also includes their own ability to believe in and test what is possible as well as trusting others to do the same.
- Show both empathy and inspiration when speaking.
- Encourage collaboration, creativity and innovation through the dominant feelings and attitudes of the people. Create the emotional space to play . Model inclusive and cooperative behavior to demonstrate the priority of working together as partners with a common goal.
- Address poor performance early when it is just a development conversation instead of a “do or die” confrontation down the line.
- Balance giving direction with praising individuals and the team for effort as well as results.
- Have a strong sense of self while willing to continuously learn, adapt and grow.
