Discover the 7 Key Roles of a Team Leader and How to Master Them

For a long time, traditional leaders were admired for their ability to take control, make decisions, dictate tasks, and decide who should know what. However, such an old-school leadership approach is not as effective in the current business scenario and workplace culture as they once were. Today’s workforce is looking for a different kind of leader—one who shares power with their team members and involves them in meaningful ways. Organizations have noticed this change and are shifting toward creating workplaces that prioritize their employees’ needs. In fact, according to LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report 2023, 83% of organizations are aiming to build people-centric workplaces where employee experiences and needs come first. This is reshaping the different roles of a team leader within an organization. In this article, we explore the different roles leaders must embody in these evolving times.

In this blog, you’ll learn: 

• What are the Different Roles of a Team Leader?

1. 1. Supervisor 
   2. Organizer 
   3. Strategist
   4. Communicator 
   5. Goal Setter 
   6. Confidant 
   7. Problem-Solver

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Become a Successful Leader With Emeritus 

What are the Different Roles of a Team Leader?

Essentially, a team leader is responsible for guiding a team toward achieving the overarching organizational goal. However, that is not all that leaders do today. They are also responsible for creating a collaborative work environment and encouraging and inspiring their team members to reach their full potential. Let’s, therefore, delve into the key roles of a team leader in today’s world. 

1. Supervisor 

First and foremost, a team leader is the link between management and staff, taking on the role of a supervisor. As supervisors, though, their roles evolve along with the team. They need to keep an eye on how the team is doing, ensure positive organizational culture and behavior, and set targets and performance metrics for employees. 

Here are some of the team leadership responsibilities associated with the supervisor’s role: 

• Create an inspiring team environment with an open communication culture 
• Oversee day-to-day operations 
• Motivate team members to achieve their personal and company goals 

ALSO READ: Who is a Leader? Salary, Skills, and Career

2. Organizer 

Among the many roles of a team leader is that of organizing their team’s work. They create schedules, delegate tasks, and streamline processes. In addition to that, as organizers, they also take on various organizational tasks, such as scheduling meetings and monitoring performances. Furthermore, an organized leader is crucial for the overall company’s effectiveness. 

An organizer’s role involves: 

• Delegating tasks to team members and communicating required timelines  
• Allocating and managing resources required to complete a task 
• Ensuring modern time-management tools like Notion, Evernote, and Trello are used by employees to increase efficiency and productivity 

3. Strategist 

Team leaders act as strategists, offering clear guidance to their team. They assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses, devising strategies to leverage these strengths and improve upon weaknesses. Additionally, effective team leaders possess the ability to align their team’s efforts with the broader organizational strategy. 

Here are some of the team leadership responsibilities associated with the strategist’s role: 

• Understand the organization’s mission and translate it into actionable plans
• Develop plans and strategies to accomplish company and team goals
• Contribute to the growth of the company by creating effective business strategies  

4. Communicator 

As discussed before, team leaders serve as the main communication link between management and staff. However, apart from that, one of their roles as team leaders, that of effective communicators, means they are also responsible for promoting internal communication. Team leaders must encourage teamwork, maintain a transparent and easy dialogue within teams and between team members, and prevent misunderstandings that could be potentially disruptive.

As communicators, therefore, team leaders need to: 

• Listen to team members’ problems and resolve conflicts 
• Encourage creativity and risk-taking 
• Suggest and organize team-building activities 

ALSO WATCH: Thought Leadership | Learn Why the Right Partnerships Make All the Difference

5. Goal Setter 

Leaders play a crucial role in setting and achieving goals within their teams and organizations. They break large project goals into smaller, doable tasks. Setting achievable goals increases employee engagement and efficiency, which in turn improves business outcomes. 

Some of the team leadership responsibilities associated with the goal setter’s role include:

• Delegating responsibilities among the team and helping individual members set personal goals 
• Developing team strength to ensure better business outcomes 

6. Confidant 

Trust is vital for good leadership. As such, one of the key roles of team leaders is that of being confidants. They should be easy to talk to so team members can share their ideas and worries without fear. This helps avoid workplace problems and creates a healthy atmosphere. Moreover, teams will meet their targets and goals if they have the right support from leaders. 

As a confidant, a team leader must:

• Empower team members with skills to improve their confidence, business knowledge, and communication skills
• Motivate the team to achieve their organizational and personal goals 

7. Problem-Solver 

Problem-solving is an essential team leader skill that enables leaders to address challenges, make informed decisions, and guide their teams toward success. Leaders who excel in this team leader role are better equipped to navigate complex situations, mitigate risks, and find innovative solutions. They encourage a culture of continuous improvement and critical thinking among their team members. Furthermore, actively engaging in problem-solving doesn’t confine the roles of a team leader to problem-solving or conflict management; they transcend into facilitators of collaboration and teamwork. 

Here are some of the team leadership responsibilities associated with the problem-solvers’ role:

• Clearly define and separate tasks among team members to avoid clashes or conflicts 
• Resolving conflict and obstacles in case they do arise

ALSO READ: How to Improve Team Leadership Skills: A Comprehensive Guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Team Leader? 

Here are some of the team leadership responsibilities and duties: 

• Oversee day-to-day business operations 
• Clearly communicate organizational goals to the team 
• Delegating tasks to team members and ensuring they complete them on time 
• Allocating and managing resources 
• Solving conflicts and clashes among team members 
• Motivate team members to achieve their personal and professional goals 

2. What is the Difference Between Team Leaders and Managers?

The difference between team leaders and managers lies in their roles and responsibilities within an organization. Team leaders are generally responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of specific teams, and managers are accountable for the overall performance and success of the entire organization. 

3. What is a Team Leader Job Description?

A team leader job description enlists the roles and responsibilities a company expects a team leader to take up within the organization. While team leader job descriptions may vary depending on the company and industry, here is a general overview of what a Team Leader job description often includes:

• Skills 
• Job Description 
• Salary 

4. How Can Team Leaders Effectively Manage and Motivate Their Teams?

Team leaders can motivate teams through clear communication, positive feedback, acknowledging achievements, building trust, and listening to their team members’ concerns and ideas.

5. What are Some Common Mistakes Made by Team Leaders in Their Roles?

Common mistakes made by team leaders include a lack of feedback, poor communication, failure to define goals, and not creating a strong bond with the team. These errors hinder team performance and trust.

ALSO READ: Mastering Team Leadership: Top 10 Hard Skills and Soft Skills Every Great Leader Needs

Become a Successful Leader With Emeritus 

If you want to learn more about the key roles of a team leader and become an effective leader, it’s important to find the right kind of guidance. That’s just what you get with Emeritus. We offer an extensive array of leadership courses from the best universities that equip current and future learners with the skills and knowledge required to excel in all team leadership responsibilities. So sign up and learn what it takes to effectively don the multiple roles of a team leader.