Team Leadership AGED 3153

If you look for the worst in people and expect to find it, you surely will. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Overview Team leadership approach perspective A functional model of team leadership Dimensions of leadership on teams Characteristics of effective teams Strategic leadership decisions How does the team leadership model work?

Team Leadership Most popular & rapidly growing areas of theory and research Organizational groups composed of members who are: Independent Share common goals Must coordinate activities Examples:

Importance of Team Leadership Organizations are: Rapid organizational changes Organizational team structure Quickly respond/ adapt to constant changes

Team Leadership Approach Description Effectiveness research (Parker, 1990) The use of teams has led to: Greater productivity More effective use of resources Better decisions & problem solving Better-quality products & services Increased innovation & creativity Issues Team process is difficult to understand Complex Leader ineffectiveness is major obstacle to overall team

Critical Leadership Functions Facilitate the group in accomplishing its task (Task Function/Team Performance) Getting job done, making decisions, solving problems, etc. Ensure group maintenance and functioning (Maintenance Function/Team Development) Developing positive climate, solving interpersonal problems, satisfying members’ needs, etc. Interrelated

Team Leadership Model (Hill) Provides a tool for understanding the complex phenomenon of team leadership. Based on the functional leadership claim that the leader’s function or job is to: Monitor the team Then to take whatever action is necessary to ensure team effectiveness

Dimensions of Team Leadership Leader: “medium” One who processes and acts on information Functions Monitoring (objection mediation) Action taking (action mediation) Helps group form an organizing framework Effective team performance starts with a leader’s mental model of a situation

McGrath’s Critical Leadership Functions Effective team leaders: Analyze and balance the internal and external demands of the group and react appropriately Model incorporates two dimensions Analysis of situation (internal/external) Monitoring/ taking action Leader or experienced team members can carry out functions

McGrath’s Critical Leadership Functions Diagnosing Group Deficiencies 1 Taking Remedial Action 2 Forecasting Environmental Changes 3 Preventing Deleterious Changes 4

Dimensions of Team Leadership Monitoring: Leaders need to monitor both internal and external environments Create an accurate model of team functioning Search - seek out information to assess current state Structuring - analyze, organize, interpret information Improve information search by: Obtaining member feedback Engaging in networking- outside the team Conducting team assessment surveys Evaluating outcomes

Dimensions of Team Leadership Action Taking Involves Selecting from competing courses of action Assisting the team in developing an organization system that facilitates quality decision making Skills of action mediation Material resources - Decision making & task accomplishment Personnel resources - Managing interpersonal relations For team success, leaders must: Remain open and objective in understanding and diagnosing team problems Skillful in selection of appropriate action/inaction

Effective Team Characteristics (Hackman & Walton, 1986) Conditions of Group Effectiveness Clear, engaging direction An enabling performance situation Group structure fostering competent task work Organizational context supporting and reinforcing excellence Available, expert coaching and process assistance Adequate material resources

Effective Team Characteristics Larson & LaFasto, 1989 Clear, elevating goal Involving or motivating goals Results-driven structure Meet needs of group & accomplish team goals Competent Team Members Right number & mix of members Informed, educated, trained Unified Commitment Involve members in all aspect of the process

Effective Team Characteristics Larson & LaFasto, 1989 Collaborative Climate Based on honesty, openness, consistency & respect Problem focused, listen to each other, feel free to take risks Standards of Excellence Feel pressure to perform at their highest levels Principled leadership Understands and performs tasks External Support & Recognition Enables group to become more effective and achieve performance goals

Team Leadership Effective team leadership is related to team effectiveness Leader influences team through four sets of processes: Helps team understand the problems Helps the team become cohesive & capable Affective Helps team handle stressful circumstances Coordination Helps coordinate the team’s activities by matching members’ skills or roles

How does the team leadership approach work?

Focus Model provides a cognitive map identify group needs offers suggestions on appropriate corrective actions Assists leader in making sense of the complexity of groups Provides suggested actions to improve group effectiveness

What are the strengths of the team leadership approach?

What are the criticisms of the team leadership approach?

How can we apply the team leadership approach?

Summary Team process is complex Critical leadership functions Facilitate the group in accomplishing its task Ensure group maintenance and functioning Effective teams have identifiable characteristics