What makes a team leader successful? I asked myself this question in my first job as a team leader with a thirst for action at the age of 23, selling solder, chemicals and other parts for a printed circuit board.
It was a challenge!
Because not only did I want to know the technical details that are important for assembling a PCB - whereby I found out quite quickly, and above all very painfully, what a soldering iron is capable of - but I wanted to prove that I had my team wonderfully under control. I went into my first job as a manager with a lot of confidence.
Well. What can I say?
After 3 months, I was close to despair and not only once did I wildly mess up my curls when I tussled my hair again. I didn't know what to do. Chips and my sofa became my best friends after a draining and terribly exhausting day. Because my team didn't do what I wanted. But I kept at it. I continued to educate myself. Informed myself. Sounded out. Got support. Today, with a few more years of experience in management positions and different industries under my belt, I know the difference between "poor and just so" and excellent leadership.
But now back to the initial question:
What actually makes a team leader successful now? How does someone manage to lead the team in the best possible way? And remain calm at the same time? And not lose their sense of humor, as we would say in Viennese?
What makes an excellent team leader magically different?
Empathy is the guaranteed key to success. This term is on everyone's lips. But what exactly is it? In short: if you are empathetic, then you have a great deal of sensitivity. It is the ability to feel the feelings of the other person and to imagine what they are thinking or feeling. And to react appropriately. Empathic team leadership helps team members to feel better and therefore be more productive. As a result, everyone enjoys their work more and is committed and motivated.
This was also confirmed by my participants during an expert talk in my mentoring program. If management fails to create a pleasant working atmosphere, then employees will just work to rule. No amount of obviously guaranteed employment until retirement will help. No bonus, no free organic breakfast, no free drinks and no outrageously high salary. If there is no meaning to the work, if there is no regular praise, then the quality of every employee's work will decline. And inevitably so. According to a recent Gallup study on the world of work, 42% of German employees feel stressed and emotional loyalty to their employer is at an alarmingly low level. Only when the team leader manages to empathize with each individual team member. If the management is able to fathom the needs and respond appropriately, then the team will deliver sensational results.
Trust is the superpower of excellent team leadership. Trust in the professional competence of each individual team member. Confidence that the tasks assigned will be completed with excellence. This trust is like a pull and leads to each team member being willing to expand and develop their own skills.
Delegating becomes child's play.
Successful team leaders know that they cannot manage all tasks alone. They work radically to explore the potential of their team members and develop a roadmap together on how this can be guaranteed to be realized. It is also important not to repeatedly take the assigned tasks out of their hands and think that they can do everything much better themselves. A confident team leader communicates openly and clearly. They ensure that all team members know the expectations and goals. Everyone has the same level of knowledge. How can this be done? Through regular team meetings and crystal-clear updates, among other things. The results of meetings are clearly documented and filed in a standardized and orderly manner for everyone. It is important not to take up too much of the precious time of all team members. Instead, it is important to get to the point. The meetings are perfectly organized in advance. The agenda is fixed and is available to everyone for adequate preparation.
My conclusion:
An excellent team leader really needs many qualities and skills. In addition to professional expertise. You're not necessarily born with them. But these skills can be learned. It's primarily about inspiring your employees and encouraging them to strive for exceptionally productive collaboration. With a lot of fun and joy in doing so.
