From time to time people ask my opinion about the best way to lead an effective team. I don't claim to be an expert on the subject, but I have found the following things to be critical elements of leadership when working with a team.
1. A Clearly Defined Vision and Mission. It’s hard to get people to work together effectively if there are no stated goals and priorities. What you eventually will discover is that in the absence of a clearly defined vision and mission, everyone will adopt his or her own and no one will be working together. The leader’s job is to help the team see what the desired outcome of their collaborative efforts will look like and help set milestones along the way. In so doing, the team will be more focused on the overall purpose and support each other in attaining the stated goals.
2. An Effective Leader. Sometimes I believe that the leader of a team has the idea that he or she has to make all the decisions and do all the work. That’s not what it means to lead. We used to have committees that would take on a project, put together a plan, but everything they did had to meet the approval of an overall leader. The committee didn’t have the authority to take action, make decisions, or the liberty to get to work. The team concept is much different than committees. The leader casts the vision, defines the mission, and then trusts the experience, knowledge and intellect of the team members to coordinate and complete the work.
3. Encouragement. It’s important to follow up on the team’s actions. Not just so you can evaluate the progress from time to time – which is also necessary – but to be supportive. Offer encouragement when things are accomplished as well as through the hard times. There will always be highs and lows as well as obstacles and roadblocks. The leader can hugely encourage the team by removing the roadblocks, celebrating the highs, and shoring up the lows.
4. Don’t Micro-Manage. The leader’s job is to help the team succeed, not to guide every step and inhibit input from the team members. Provide support and guidance when it’s needed but learn to back off as much as possible. And accept the fact that the team’s process and eventual produce may not be exactly the way you would do things but that’s okay. Effective leaders facilitate the success of the team they don’t micro-manage them there. You put the teams together in the first place, so let them do what you’ve asked.
5. Don’t Be A Big Mouth. When the team approach is embraced by any organization, it’s important that the leader doesn’t dominate all the discussions and be the sole provider for input. Each person on the team has something to contribute but in order to effective tap into that, you have to close your mouth. If you dominate a discussion, the team most likely not share their thoughts and ideas, whether they agree with you or not. Because of the leader’s influence and position, you have to save your comments and thoughts for the end of the discussion. It works better that way and keeps the creativity flowing throughout the process.
6. Don't Make The Organization All About You. So many times a talented leader will make the operations of an organization totally dependent on his or her gifts, talents and input. While an effective leader does put together the plans and goals, if the entire operation is dependent on him or her, there is no continuity. It also has a tendency to stifle creativity and innovation. Remember, the leader's role is to facilitate, not to dominate. One of my Army Colonels once told me, "An effective leader works himself out of a job."
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