The Characteristics of a Team Captain

Being a team captain, whether it is for a sports team or work group, takes strong leadership skills. It is the job of the team captain to support individual team members and lead them as a group in the right direction. Team captains may be responsible for the outcome of the team's production and may have to answer if the team fails. For this reason, picking the right team captain is crucial for the success of a team.

  1. Influence and Communication

    • A team captain must be able to influence his team members to work harder and do better. As a result, a team captain should be task oriented and people oriented. He must understand the goals of the team and communicate those goals so they can be understood by everyone. He should be a good speaker and listener, and have the overall respect of his team members.

    Qualities

    • A team captain should have the same qualities that she wants to inspire in her team. For example, if she is captain of a sports team and wants her fellow players to be strong, willful and driven, then she needs to possess these characteristics as well. If the team leader wants her business associates to push harder and sell more, she must be able to show that she can sell just as well.

    Confidence and Drive

    • It is important for a team captain to have confidence so team members never feel he is weak or incapable of doing the job at hand. He also needs to be driven and motivated, even when times are tough or the team is losing. High energy and encouragement inspire team members, so a team captain should be able to generate excitement. He should also be caring and consistent in his motivation tactics.

    Intelligence

    • A team captain needs to be intelligent and well versed in her field or sport. She needs to be someone team members can come to with questions or to seek advice from. She should also admit mistakes and seek the answer when she does not have it. A team captain should be well organized, detail oriented, flexible and have an open mind. Also, a team captain is always ready to alter the plan if things are not working out.