By Hannah Magino
As an individual, you can only go so far. Sometimes, you need a team to help you finish a race. Working with others and forming a collaborative environment can lead to great things.
Whether it’s a group project at school, or a sports team out on the field, as a leader, your team learns how to rely on you. You become the person at the wheel. Making sure that you can be the best leader is important in producing the team’s best work.
Here are some things you can do to be a good team leader:
1. Get to know your group
Getting to know the people you will be working with is a great way to start building a foundation for your team. Not only will you learn their strengths and how to use that to the team’s advantage, but it will also show your teammates that you care enough to take the time to learn more about them.
2. Motivate them
When your team lacks motivation, things tend to get left to the last minute or not get finished at all. The best results aren’t put out. As a leader, you need to get them motivated to reach the end. The same methods that might get you motivated may not work for someone else, so make sure you learn about what gets people running.
3. Establish trust
Without trust between each other, there is no foundation for a team to grow. You need to be able to trust that everyone will get their job done. You can establish trust by always being honest and open, making sure hard work goes noticed, and treating everyone equally.
4. Know it’s not all about you
As a leader, it is not your job to control every little thing, but to lead the team toward their goals. You were assigned the task of issuing assignments, delegating tasks, and making sure everything runs smoothly. This team isn’t here to serve you but it’s your job to serve them. This is also referred to as the art of servant leadership.
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Being a leader is one thing, but to be a good leader is another. As you start to encounter more opportunities to lead, make sure that you strive to be the best leader you can be. Not only you but for your team.
References:
https://education.msu.edu/sport-coaching-leadership/uncategorized/building-trust-within-your-team/
https://leadership.deakin.edu.au/resources/top-10-qualities-of-a-good-team-leader
https://www.appreciationatwork.com/blog/building-strong-team-appreciating-differences-workplace/