The role and position of the team leader
Featured in the The Team Leader's Development Manual training manual
By Mike Fenwick
Category: People Management and Motivation
Credit price: 3 download credits (Single user)
It is possible that the position of the team leader – especially the first–line team leader – is one of the most vital yet underestimated positions in any organisation. The people in these positions form the ‘link’ between their teams and the rest of the organisation. In this position there are huge conflicting pressures. This person is still regarded by their team as ‘one of them’ – their spokesperson – whose role it is to champion their cause with ‘the management’. Managers, however, see them as ‘junior management’ - their representative – whose role is to ensure the team comply with company strategies and to translate the managers’ wishes into actions. The position is like a person trying to straddle a chasm, with one foot on either side. The wider the chasm, the more uncomfortable the position becomes. To operate effectively in this position, the team leader needs to learn how to narrow the gap.
You ask participants to consider their position in the organisation and the different demands that are made of them, some of which may be in direct conflict with each other. Next, you invite them to consider this position as being like a person straddling a divide, with one foot on each side. The wider the divide becomes, the more uncomfortable their position is. The role of team leader, therefore, is to narrow this gap – to find solutions that bring the two sides closer together. The final element of the training activity is a case study where you ask participants to think through solutions to a team leader’s problem that incorporate the principles outlined in the session.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to explore the position of the team leader in the organisation; to introduce the concept of the team leader being the ‘link’ between the team and the rest of the organisation.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 20 |
| Typical Duration: | 02:05:00 |
| No of Pages: | 11 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers as the first session in a management development programme, especially one for newly appointed first-line managers. It can also be used in programmes on considering colleagues, influencing others, leadership, and team work.
Download the training activity, The role and position of the team leader as featured in the Fenman training manual; The Team Leader's Development Manual