Importance of a Leader In a Team

Leadership is a position of influence, imposing upon your character the unspoken duty to rise above the position itself and lead your team to greatness. Whether you are the quarterback on the varsity football team, a business leader in the corporate world or simply one individual on a team who has the ability to inspire others, you can make a difference. People long to rise to the occasion, especially with the help of a great leader, someone with vision, fortitude and the ability to inspire confidence. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it best: "Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."

  1. Direction

    • Set the course. One of the most significant roles of leadership is to determine the course of action your team will be taking, as well as to establish realistic goals to accomplish along the way. Before any team can accomplish great things, whether on the football field or in the boardroom, a leader must first determine the team's direction and then communicate that direction. Without direction from leadership, no matter what kind of team you are on, it will only lead to problems down the road, affecting performance, organization, communication, motivation and, in the end, team effectiveness.

    Example

    • Lead by example. If you hope to inspire confidence, as well as to earn the respect of your team, it is important that you exhibit the kind of behavior you hope to see from your team members. Setting a good example is essential when leading others; not only does it set the standard for your expectations, but it also inspires others to follow your lead toward greatness. Leadership is not about simply knowing the right thing to say; it's about knowing and exhibiting the right actions for the good of your team.

    Attitude

    • Keep your chin up. As a leader, you must have as much heart as you do brains. While strategy is certainly important when leading others, one of your biggest opportunities in getting your team motivated, whether it's for the big game or for the million-dollar sales pitch, is by demonstrating a relentless positive attitude. It's your job to inspire and to get your team excited about what's on the line. Whether it's a high school football game or a million-dollar marketing contract, your attitude as a leader determines the overall outcome of your team's motivation.

    Delegation

    • Encourage your team to do their best work and then stand back and let them shine. A good leader knows when to lead and when to let go, delegating the work to his team. Trusting in your team's ability to do their job is an important part of leadership. The trouble with micromanaging is that it doesn't encourage your team to rise to the occasion. It was General George Patton who quipped, "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."