Team LeadershipTeam Leadership

AGED 3153

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

~ Abraham Lincoln

OverviewOverview

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 LeadershipTeam 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 LeadershipImportance of Team Leadership

Organizations are:

Rapid organizational changes Organizational team structure

Quickly respond/ adapt to constant changes

Team Leadership Approach DescriptionTeam Leadership Approach Description

Effectiveness research Effectiveness research (Parker, 1990)(Parker, 1990) The use of teams has led The use of teams has led

to:to: Greater productivity More effective use of

resources Better decisions & problem

solving Better-quality products &

services Increased innovation &

creativity

IssuesIssues Team process is difficult to

understand Complex

Leader ineffectiveness is major obstacle to overall team

Critical Leadership FunctionsCritical Leadership Functions

1.1. Facilitate the group in accomplishing its taskFacilitate the group in accomplishing its task (Task Function/Team Performance)

Getting job done, making decisions, solving problems, etc.

2.2. Ensure group maintenance and functioningEnsure group maintenance and functioning (Maintenance Function/Team Development)

Developing positive climate, solving interpersonal problems, satisfying members’ needs, etc.

InterrelatedInterrelated

Team Leadership Model (Hill)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 LeadershipDimensions 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 McGrath’s Critical Leadership FunctionsCritical 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 FunctionsMcGrath’s Critical Leadership Functions

Diagnosing Group

Deficiencies 1

Taking Remedial

Action 2

Forecasting Environmental

Changes 3

Preventing Deleterious

Changes 4

Dimensions of Team LeadershipDimensions 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 Dimensions of Team Leadership

• Action Taking InvolvesInvolves

Selecting from competing courses of action Assisting the team in developing an organization system that

facilitates quality decision making Skills of action mediation

Material resourcesMaterial resources - Decision making & task accomplishment Personnel resourcesPersonnel 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 CharacteristicsEffective 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 CharacteristicsEffective Team CharacteristicsLarson & LaFasto, 1989

1. Clear, elevating goal Involving or motivating goals

2. Results-driven structure Meet needs of group & accomplish team goals

3. Competent Team Members Right number & mix of members

Informed, educated, trained

4. Unified Commitment Involve members in all aspect of the process

Effective Team CharacteristicsEffective Team CharacteristicsLarson & LaFasto, 1989

5. Collaborative Climate Based on honesty, openness, consistency & respect

Problem focused, listen to each other, feel free to take risks

6. Standards of Excellence Feel pressure to perform at their highest levels

7. Principled leadership Understands and performs tasks

8. External Support & Recognition Enables group to become more effective and achieve

performance goals

Team LeadershipTeam 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 AffectiveAffective

Helps team handle stressful circumstances CoordinationCoordination

Helps coordinate the team’s activities by matching members’ skills or roles

How does the team How does the team leadership leadership approach work?approach work?

FocusFocus

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 What are the strengths of the team leadership of the team leadership approach?approach?

What are the criticisms What are the criticisms of the team leadership of the team leadership approach?approach?

How can we apply the How can we apply the team leadership team leadership approach?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