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American author John C Maxwell rightly said, “A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” For a successful business, a team leader’s role is undeniably crucial. A Team Leader Job Description clarifies how a leader has to assist team members in the achievement of their professional as well as organisational growth.
What is a Team Leader?
First of all, a Team Leader is someone other than a boss. A team leader is a professional who guides, leads, and monitors an entire group. His/her guidance, direction, instruction, and leadership serve the purpose of achieving key results. Team members work with him/ her and not for him/ her.
He/she is an individual who organises, monitors, and resolves issues that might arise and communicates to make a group of people (Team) works together unitedly and harmoniously. In other words, a team leader is the steering wheel of an organisation. Without a leader, the organisation works in chaos, failing.
Team Leader Job Description
A Team Leader Job Description is a written document that clearly mentions the unavoidable responsibilities and requirements for the vacant position.
All interested candidates must thoroughly review the Team Leader Job Description before applying.
Organisations mention all the essential things in the Team Leader Job Description. They are as follows:
Introduction of the company and its mission – A brief, clear, simple, direct, and informative explanation that shows what is important
A complete overview of the Team Leader’s Job Responsibilities- A brief paragraph that clearly defines what a selected candidate has to do at work
Team Leader Job Description lists Skills, Competence Levels, Knowledge, and Qualifications essential for the post of Team Leader.
Tests the company may prefer.
There can be different tests as per the preference of the company employer, for example :
- DISC Test– The DISC Test identifies personality types- Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.
- The 16 Types Test– The 16 Types Test is a personality questionnaire. It helps determine how effective they would be at work under different conditions.
- Enneagram Test – The Enneagram Test helps identify potential mindset-oriented leaders who can help build their teams.
- Leadership and People Management Test – The Leadership and People Management Test is a 10-minute test to see how a candidate can lead a team.
- Big 5 Test– The Big 5 is a personality assessment test that helps in understanding a candidate’s mindset and personality
2. Communication Skills Test
A Communication Skills test determines how well a candidate can express ideas and gather information from a client.
3. Business Judgement Skills Test
A Business Judgement Skills Test helps identify candidates who can solve difficult problems without damage or loss to the organisation.
4. The Team Leader Job Description mentions Location and Working Conditions:
Location of the office and working conditions, for example, working hours and days, Rest Periods, and Schedules
5. Environmental Factors like Physical Environment, Company Culture
6. The Team Leader Job Description also mentions the Type of Employment
Full-time/part-time- Work from office / Work from home
Team Leader Duties and Responsibilities
A Team Leader’s Duties and Responsibilities are a leader’s day-to-day duties. Team Leader’s Duties and Responsibilities are undoubtedly complex and demanding.
Covers Manager in his/ her absence
If the Manager of a company is temporarily not available, a Team leader fulfills the responsibilities such as managing clients and administrative work specific to the manager.
- Administrative work – A Team Leader has to manage Administrative work regarding the records of team members.
- Email – A Team Leader has to handle and organise messages, sort and label them, create folders, and delete unwanted emails.
- Communicates goals and targets
- Encourages Success
- Motivates Team
- Gains Commitment
- Quality Control
- Resolves Conflicts
- Manages Resources
- Time Management
- Problem-Solving
- Manages Difficult Conversations
- Communicates changes from Senior Management
- Reporting
- Conducts Meetings
- Leads 1-2-1s
A candidate earns the title of a Good Leader based on fulfilling the above Team Leader Job Responsibilities.
Team Leader Requirements and Skills
Prerequisites and Qualifications are necessary to be eligible for the role of Team Leader. Team Leader Job Description lists all these essential requirements:
Education
Graduate, Post Graduate or any certification as per the preference of the company
Experience-
Number of years of service. It varies according to the preference of the company.
On-the-job training-
It depends upon the company’s choice.
Data Analysis
Depending on the company’s preference, the team leader must obtain raw data and convert it into useful information for decision-making.
Creative Thinking
A Team Leader should think of unique ways of facing situations
Project Management
A Team Leader must guide and instruct the team about Project or Project Portfolio of Projects.
Agile/Scrum
A Team Leader has to form Multidisciplinary Teams with Cross-Functional Knowledge.
Computer Literate
A Team Leader has to do many tasks; therefore, the Team Leader should have sufficient computer knowledge to maintain records.
Communication Skills
The Team Leader has to communicate with his/her whole team and lead them, so He/she should be able to express his/her ideas effectively, solve problems, and gather information from everyone.
10. Confidence
A Team Leader should be sure of his/ her abilities and belief in himself/ herself in a positive manner.
Negotiating Skills
A Team Leader should establish relationships, achieve business objectives and resolve workplace conflicts. Therefore, good Negotiating Skills are the key.
Emotional Intelligence
The ability to understand, use and manage emotions in a positive manner is an important trait of a Team Leader as it improves Decision Making, Increased Team Performance, Increased leadership ability, Increased Personal Well-being, Reduced Staff Turnover, and Decreased Occupational Stress
Empathy
It is very important for a Team Leader to sense other people’s emotions and the ability to imagine what the other person might be feeling or thinking.
Good organisational skills to give direction to the team
A good Team Leader should have organisational skills Eg. Time Management, Working under pressure, Self Motivation and many more
Mediation
A good Team Leader must be an impartial third person who can assist disputing parties in resolving conflicts.
Decision Making
A good Team Leader must have the ability to select a course of action among several available options
Conclusion
The ability of a Team Leader to motivate, inspire, guide, and coach their teams well has a huge impact on a company’s growth. As competition continuously increases, a good team leader can meet challenges from competitors. For a business to survive in this competitive world, there is a dire need for a commitment-based organisation.
Recommended Reads:
- Top Leadership Interview Questions and Answers
- Shocking Facts About Leadership And Management
- Top 5 Roles of a Leader
- Top 12 Leadership Qualities Every Leader Should Have
- Effective Tips For Team Management
FAQS
Q.1 Who is a Team Leader?
Ans. A Team Leader provides Guidance, Instruction, Direction and leadership to his/ her team members.
2. What are the qualities of a good Team Leader?
Ans. A good Team Leader should be Confident and have good Communication, Organizational, and Decision-Making skills.
3. What details are in the Team Leader Job Description?
Ans. A Team Leader Job Description lists essential Educational Qualifications, Experience, On-the-Job Training, Creative Thinking and Communication Skills, etc
4. How can a Team Leader set an example for his/ her team members?
Ans. A good Team Leader performs his/her best at everything and ensures that his/her actions match his/her words and meet the expectations of team members and the organisation.
5. What is the difference between a Team Leader and a Manager?
Ans. A Team Leader provides guidance and support to other Team Leaders, Resolves Conflicts, and ensures Projects are completed within time and with available resources. A manager, on the other hand, collaborates with stakeholders to meet common objectives.