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What are the main characteristics of a successful team leader?

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Question added by Ahmed Abdel Wahab Khalil , commercial project manager , Alex Bank
Date Posted: 2013/04/15

Characteristics that help leaders successfully guide an organization include the ability to develop and communicate the company's vision, hold people accountable, create a culture of continuous improvement, and foster learning and mentoring across the organization.

Ahmed Abdel Wahab Khalil
by Ahmed Abdel Wahab Khalil , commercial project manager , Alex Bank

i think he should inspire his team members , listen to them , try to solve their problems ,able to detect problems before it occurs and be a problem solver rather than a problem maker

Hany Sewilam Abdel Hamid
by Hany Sewilam Abdel Hamid , Director of Sales and Marketing , Creative Sense

Dear Ahmed,   Here are15 habits all effective team leaders have:   Habit #1: Effective team leaders focus on their team more than themselves.
They are willing to put the team’s success above their own.
Coming from a place of selfless service, the effective team leader consciously finds ways to uplift the team and its individual members in need.
  Habit #2: Effective team leaders create a space where people can trust one another.
They go first in difficult discussions, which often leaves them vulnerable.
Exhibiting courage, they bring difficult behavioral issues to the surface.
Unwilling to engage in office politics or posturing, they consistently call out passive-aggressive behavior and people’s fear of conflict.
  Habit #3: Effective team leaders focus on strengths, not weaknesses.
They understand that the purpose of an organization is to capitalize on the strengths of its employees instead of focusing on improving individual weakness.
Team leaders that play to team member’s strengths build more powerful teams.
  Habit #4: Effective team leaders push for a higher standard.
They keep themselves and their team accountable for their actions and behaviors.
This profound level of accountability becomes infectious and team members begin holding each other to the same high standard.
  Habit #5: Effective team leaders drive toward results and keep their team focused on the end picture.
Transcending personality conflicts and petty behavioral problems within the team, they keep everyone focused on what matters most: The results the team is committed to achieving.
  #6 - Communication Effective team leaders communicate clearly.
Quality verbal and written communication skills allow leaders to present expectations to team members in a way workers can understand.
Effective communication skills also allow team leaders to listen to the input of others.
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7- Organization Effective team leaders possess exceptional organizational skills.
Organizational skills help team leaders plan objectives and strategies, which allow team members to perform optimally.
Organized team leaders put systems in place that maintain order and guide team members toward meeting company goals and objectives.
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8- Confidence An effective team leader is confident in his abilities, as well as confident in the abilities of his team members.
A confident leader is secure in the decisions he makes that affect his team.
A self-confident team leader also reassures team members of his authority within the organization.
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9- Respectful A quality team leader is respectful of his team members.
A respectful leader empowers employees by encouraging them to offer ideas about decisions that affect them.
This lets team members know that the leader respects their input and opinions.
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0- Fair A quality team leader treats team members fairly.
He is consistent with rewards and recognition, as well as disciplinary action.
A fair leader ensures all employees receive the same treatment.
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1- Integrity An effective team leader is honest and open with his team members.
Leaders who possess integrity gain the trust of team members because he does what he says he will do and treats others the same way he wants to be treated.
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2- Influential Influential leaders help inspire the commitment of team members to meet company goals and objectives.
Influential leaders also help manage change in the workplace by gaining the confidence of workers through effective decision making and communication.
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3- Delegation Effective team leaders know how to share leadership through delegation.
Delegating certain tasks to trustworthy team members allows the leader to focus on improving workplace functions and production.
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4- Facilitator Effective team leaders are powerful facilitators.
As a facilitator, team leaders help workers understand their goals.
They also help organize an action plan to ensure team members meet their goals and objectives more efficiently.
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5- Negotiation Team leaders utilize negotiation skills to achieve results and reach an understanding in the event of a workplace conflict.
Team leaders who negotiate effectively streamline the decision-making process, as well as solve problems for the best interest of everyone involved.
  Thanks Hany Sewilam AbdelHamid Business Development Manager

Ambreena Shiekh
by Ambreena Shiekh , Report Analyzer & Campaign Manager , Perfomark Advertising Agency

The main characteristics of a successful team leader are Mission, Vision, Goal, Competency, strong team, Interpersonal & communication skills, Empathy, Conviction, Consistency, Honesty and Flexibility.

Abdallatief Tahon
by Abdallatief Tahon , Senior Planning Engineer , CSCEC (China State Construction & Engineering Corporate)

an effective leader must be able to encourage contributions from the entire organization, navigating the specific motivators of each individual or group to push the right buttons and inspire employees at every level to achieve not only their personal best but the best for the organization as a whole.
Communication skills that rely on active listening – far more than just being able to speak and write persuasively, leadership communication skills incites others to work toward the stated goal in line with the path the leader has chosen.
It is said that a manager asks “how” and “when”, whereas a leader asks “what” and why”.
In many professions, managers and leaders assume the same role.
However, if a leader of a business simply manages a company – rather than challenge its true potential – then it will likely fall behind its industry peers.
Likewise, if managers overstep their bounds and attempt to revolt against the company, then they may soon find themselves out of the job.
In some cases, where micromanagement is essential to maximize efficiency, nurture skills and keep employees organized, strong managers are an absolute necessity to prevent high turnover rates and the “brain drain” of a skilled workforce.
A good leader will also stay in the front line of battle, and be familiar with every aspect of the company, leading through inspiration rather than coercing through hierarchical control.
A perfect manager who attains the status of a true leader will be able to lead people effectively and draw on the correct strengths and knowledge of every key individual in the company.
Many managers will struggle for their entire careers and never attain this, but a skilled few will evolve into true leaders.

Martha Kambili
by Martha Kambili , Marketing & Customer Experience Consultant , Independent

Simply....
Walk the talk and be a role model....

Mohamed Sarhan
by Mohamed Sarhan , Coating advisor,marine coatings , El-Mohandes Jotun S.A.E

1.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.
2.
Are open, honest, and fair => Inspire Trust 3.
Make decisions with input from others.
4.
Act consistently.
5.
Give the team members the information they need to do their jobs.
6.
Set SMART goals and emphasize them.
SMART goals = Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time-phased 7.
Keep focused through follow-up.
8.
Listen to feedback and ask questions.
9.
Show loyalty to the school and to the team members.
10.
Create an atmosphere of growth; show high expectations; set high standards.
11.
Have wide visibility, have a Vision 12.
Give praise and recognition; reward team success.
13.
Criticize constructively and address problems.
14.
Develop plans.
15.
Share their mission and goals.
16.
Display tolerance and flexibility.
17.
Demonstrate assertiveness.
18.
Exhibit a willingness to change.
19.
Treat team members with respect.
20.
Make themselves available and accessible.
21.
Want to take charge.
22.
Accept ownership for team decisions.
23.
Set guidelines for how team members are to treat one another.
24.
Represent the team and fight a "good fight" when appropriate.
25.
Have a sense of humor.
26.
Know how to motivate team members.

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