How to be a good team leader: 9 tips

Teamwork is one of the fundamental components both in organizations and in other less formalized contexts. Many situations require the cooperation of groups of people, and reaching the objectives set in this way is not something that is achieved simply by joining efforts. Someone is needed to coordinate and supervise the entire project, motivate, generate changes in the division of labor, etc. In other words, you need a leader.

In this article we will see What are the skills to develop to be a good group leader?, going beyond the individualistic perception of "everyone who dedicates himself to his own". To do this, we will review some basic principles of leadership.

• Related article: "Types of Leadership: The 5 most common types of leaders"

How to be a good leader at work

In each group made up of people, regardless of their degree of specialization, it is necessary for someone to play the role of leader. Despite the confusion that surrounds this concept, it should be noted that leadership is not based on imposing one's own interests over those of the rest, but on

adopt a strategic decision-making role to direct the group towards its goals in the best possible way.

With this in mind, let's look at several tips on how to be a good leader, although the specific skills to work on They also depend on the specific characteristics of the type of organization you are in and the work environment you want. empower.

1. Getting used to having everything organized

Chaos is not an option. As a leader has to be aware of many work processes at the same time, it is essential to know at all times where you can consult the necessary information, who is in charge of what, and what tasks must be carried out during the day, the week and the month. Failing in this aspect can generate dysfunctions that negatively affect the entire structure of the group or organization.

2. learn to communicate

The strategic nature of the leader makes it essential to establish a constant flow of communication between him and the workers he supervises. It is necessary to keep in mind what he knows and what the rest does not know, so that there are no misinterpretations, and not assume that the other understands what is being talked about when speaking using references.

The latter is especially important if the authority given off by the leader prevents some people from asking when ambiguities appear in communication.

• You may be interested in: "The 10 basic communication skills"

3. Make clear the functions of each

It is key to have the ability to resolve doubts when doubts arise about where one type of work ends and another begins. In this way, there will be no gaps in responsibility. and each one knows from whom he receives instructions and whom he supervises.

4. go through experiences

This last aspect is key. To be a good leader, you always need to have experience in the field in which you work, for a very simple reason: When starting work, it is impossible to anticipate the situations that you will have to face, regardless of your importance. That's why, you have to encounter problems to learn from them.

5. Know how to delegate

In order to perform good effort management, it is necessary to know when the time has come to delegate a task to another worker. To do this, it is necessary to carry out an assessment of the latter's competencies, and see if this discharge of work is significant and helps the group in general to function better.

6. train assertiveness

A leader cannot avoid situations that may displease him or another team member for the simple fact of not going through that experience, if doing so is necessary to positively affect the team as a whole. For this reason, you have to respect the points of view of others while expressing yourself very directly what you yourself hold, even if it contradicts the opinions of the other.

7. know how to motivate

Each team and each person have different motivational dynamics. Know how to find the formula to keep everyone performing at a point of balance between production and well-being and personal satisfaction It is key, and for this you have to know how to mobilize groups.

8. Learn from the sector

It is essential to know what the group or organization works with. For this, it is very useful to go through all the phases of the work process, or all those that can be done, to see how the workers of each department or segment of the work chain experience it, if this exists system.

9. Listen to constant feedback

Within a company or a work group a lot of valuable information is generated. It is necessary to know how to listen to it to know the needs of the rest of the team, the problems that arise, their interests, etc.