What does your team need?

I always wondered how some teams are successful and some are not. From outside, it looks like both the teams have same number of people with similar experience and profiles. So, what does one team lack than the other? I believe it is definitely the “Leadership” that makes the difference. You need a strong leader for any team. I am not even using the term “Manager” here as I think “Leader” is the better and more powerful word. All Leaders can be Managers but not all Managers can be Leaders.

A Leader is someone who trusts you, motivates you, encourages you, challenges you, empowers you, supports you, coaches you, guides you and someone you can look up to. I know I threw in a lot in the list, but each and every team member looks for these in their leader. Let’s talk through these qualities.

Trust –

This is certainly an important quality of a Leader. A true leader builds the trust with their team member during the course of building the relationship. And trust should be two-way as well. Leader should trust the team member and the team member should trust the leader too. This obviously takes time and energy. But having the mutual trust helps the relationship and takes it to next level.

Motivation –

Motivation is another important quality. Each team member gets motivated by a different factor. Identifying that motivation factor for each of your team member is really critical. If someone is motivated by a note of recognition or appreciation, providing that recognition in front of their peers motivates them better rather than taking them to a lunch privately. Some get motivated by money and there is nothing wrong with that. Those team members should be incentivized by giving a gift card or a free lunch. None of them need to be elaborate or expensive, but motivating the team members at the right time with the right factor is crucial.

Encouragement –

A true leader encourages the team members when they come up with new ideas or suggestions. Even if you believe it is not going to work, do not tell the team members directly rather ask more questions and make them think through their idea. Innovation within the team starts with an encouragement from a true leader. If the team member has no encouragement to do anything outside their job responsibilities, there is not anything new in the team and no innovation occurs.

Challenge –

Each team member has their own strengths and a strong leader identifies that and challenges them accordingly. Some get excited to be challenged on their strengths and some get excited to be challenged to work on their weaknesses as the opportunity of growth. Both allow the team members to learn and grow. This is one of the key things that a true leader needs to focus on.

Empowerment –

True leaders empower their team members to achieve more. They understand that they need a strong team for the greater accomplishments. True leaders get excited when they identify a leader in the team and they never get worried about the competition.

Coaching –

True leaders act as a coach to their team. They are readily available to guide and support in the right direction anytime. They create a mentor/mentee relationship with the team members and be successful with it. They understand that they are also learning from the coaching relationship.

True leaders understand that the team members look up to them. They talk, behave and do things the way they want the team members to do as well. They are honest and trustworthy to their team members.

True Leaders strive to excel as a role model.