Unlock your potential: Team leadership skills for success

What are team leadership skills?

Team leadership skills guide and inspire a team toward achieving common goals. They include communication, the ability to motivate, conflict resolution, decision-making, and collaboration. A skilled team leader builds a positive and cohesive team culture.

They delegate tasks and adapt to the evolving needs of the team and the organization. These skills are vital for maximizing productivity. They also maintain morale and drive success in both small and large teams.

What are the most effective team leadership skills?

Effective team leadership skills are essential for guiding a group to succeed. A skilled team leader possesses qualities and abilities that go beyond managing tasks. These skills encompass communication, empathy, adaptability, and the capacity to inspire and motivate.  

Here, we delve into the 8 people management skills that are the hallmark of top-tier leaders.

1. Emotional Intelligence (EQ): important for influencing

Emotional intelligence means recognizing and managing both your own and other people’s emotions. It doesn't equate to weakness, you can be a strong leader with high emotional intelligence. Research shows high EQ leaders enhance employee retention. A 2018 study revealed that 70% of employees would stay in a company longer if their leaders exhibit high EQ.¹

Cultivating emotional intelligence starts with self-awareness. Your emotions tell you when something’s not right and you need to change it. They also reveal when something is going well and is worth celebrating. Paying attention to your team's body language, tone, and facial expressions is essential. Asking members about their feelings is a valuable step towards providing meaningful support.

Being the leader doesn’t mean you should command every conversation. One of the most important things a manager can do is to listen to their team. Practice nonverbal communication and active listening. This means staying in the moment when someone is talking to you. It means focusing on what they’re saying without jumping forward in your head to the moment you get to respond.

When it comes to emotional intelligence, there are many benefits to practicing gratitude. It improves your mood but also reinforces ethical behavior. But, it's essential to not only feel gratitude but express it. This is especially important in the workplace because many employees feel unappreciated.

2. Empathy: The heart of effective leadership

Empathy entails understanding and sharing other people’s feelings. It fosters a ‘walk in their shoes’ perspective. 93% of employees favor empathetic employers, but only 72% perceive their company to be that way. This is a stark contrast to 91% of CEOs' beliefs.²

For managers, empathy is crucial as team members may turn to them with problems. Responding with empathy creates a safe space for open communication and trust. A lack of empathy can stifle dialogue and erode trust.This damages working relationships.

Empathy becomes most impactful when it's not only a sentiment. It needs to translate into meaningful actions and support. O.C. Tanner's 2024 Global Culture Report found that 58% of employees believed their leaders failed to act on feedback.³

An empathetic leader holds the power to influence the longevity of team members. The O.C. Tanner study also indicated that employees plan on staying 2.5 years longer when leaders model empathy.

3. Effective communication: finding the balance

In 2018 the Economist Intelligence Unit found that a common cause of difficulty in teams is different communication styles.⁴ As a manager, adapting your approach to suit the individual you're addressing is helpful.

Team leadership involves striking a balance between neutral and affective communication. F4S's people analytics research identified 4 categories for preferred communication channels. These are seeing, hearing, reading and doing. For example, to gain the support of someone with a reading preference, use reports, documents and reviews.

Determining each team member's communication style is time-consuming and demanding. Fast track that process by inviting your team to take our free F4S assessment.

4. Decision-making and initiation skills

Decision-making and initiation skills are pivotal in effective leadership. They embody the energy to take action, start tasks, and think on your feet. This proactive quality recognizes that taking action is more valuable than excessive planning. Those high in initiation often emerge as leaders and pioneers. They also tend to exhibit resilience and unwavering energy.

Research from the CEO Genome Project identified 4 key behaviors in successful leaders. The ability to make fast decisions was a particular stand out.

Harvard Business Review researched what sets successful CEOs apart.⁵

Their study found that high-performing CEOs not only demonstrate decision-making skills, but decisiveness. They make prompt choices. And they make them with conviction, even in uncertain, data-limited, or unfamiliar situations.

Those who find decision-making hard can define goals and values as guiding principles. Creating a decision-making framework, like a reusable template, can save time and stress.

5. Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills

When juggling the diverse needs of many people within a team, conflicts are bound to pop up. As a manager, mastering the art of conflict resolution is crucial. But it doesn't always mean being the sole problem-solver.

Sometimes, problem-solving means assuming the role of a mediator. This means creating a haven for respectful disagreements to take place. It requires mediating discussions through thoughtful questions. But stepping back to allow the involved parties to find their own solutions.

Successful conflict resolution often hinges on compromise. This is a skill that ties into the broader spectrum of people management.

As a team manager, negotiation skills are your trusted ally. You won't always be able to fulfill every team member's desires completely. So, the ability to broker compromises that leave all parties content is paramount.

6. Strategic vision for progress and success

A strategic vision is vital for team leaders. Your strategic vision is like the North star, illuminating the path to success. But it must consider commercial aspects of the business.

A profit-focused vision ensures a team's efforts benefit the organization's finances. It encourages team members to think about resource allocation, cost-efficiency, and revenue generation. A well-defined vision ensures everyone is working towards a common goal. It ensures a team understands not just what they need to do, but why it matters.

Setting goals is the next critical step. These goals should break down an organization’s larger vision into actionable steps. This makes the journey more manageable and measurable. Reaching goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and act as motivators for the team. KPIs offer a tangible way to measure progress and success.

7. Delegation and setting priorities

Delegating and prioritizing are fundamental elements of effective leadership. If you fail to delegate, you're likely to find yourself overwhelmed. This leads to burnout, reduced productivity, and reduced ability to focus. You have a team for a reason.

To collaborate and share the workload, leverage the diverse skills within the entire team.

Opting for the I’ll just do it myself route, may be a sign that you lack trust in your team's abilities. Effective leadership requires a foundation of trust. Nurturing this involves open communication and shared responsibilities. It also means giving team members autonomy to excel in their areas of expertise.

Trust is the cornerstone of successful delegation. A reluctance to delegate can arise from a lack of awareness of your team members' strengths. As a leader, it's your responsibility to know your team members on a deeper level. Understanding their unique skills, interests, and experience informs decisions. It also helps you build a stronger, more cohesive team.

Effective prioritization enables you to focus on what is urgent and important. It requires delegation of less critical tasks to your team. This prevents burnout and ensures high-impact initiatives receive the attention they deserve.

8. Motivation and inspiration

Motivating and inspiring your team is a critical aspect of effective people management. What makes it challenging is that motivation is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It's as diverse as the individuals on your team. Everyone is unique in what drives them, so you need to adapt your methods to each person. Understanding their motivation, be it recognition, growth, or money, is crucial.

F4S research has uncovered 48 motivations that influence how people function. This spans communication, decision-making, and their stance on rules. Let's consider the ‘use’ motivation influencing project initiation.

Individuals driven by a strong 'use' motivation tend towards action. This is displayed by a keenness to dive into a project without an extensive plan. Advising someone with a 'use' motivation to craft a plan or organize a focus group might not resonate. Instead, using words such as ‘take action’ will ignite enthusiasm and drive.

To delve deeper into workplace motivations, the F4S analytics tool is a great resource. It reveals the hidden motivations that drive your team. It also illuminates the language and behaviors needed to unlock their full potential.

Create goals aligned with each team member's strengths and aspirations using this information. Motivations change over time so checking in with your team members is important. Leading by example, offering feedback, listening and problem-solving will motivate your team. Enthusiasm and adaptability create an environment where everyone wants to give their best.

Leadership skills for running effective team meetings

Effective team meetings hinge on team leader skills that guide discussions and interactions. Meetings without a clear agenda are costly so preparation is key. Team leaders should set objectives, write agendas, and gather resources before meetings.

Download our 5 team meeting agenda examples for high-impact meetings.

Time management is crucial. Ensure the meeting respects participant schedules and allocate appropriate time to agenda items. Engaging team members is fundamental. An atmosphere of active participation ensures everyone’s opinion is heard. Leaders need to convey ideas while encouraging expression among participants.

Facilitation keeps meetings on track and focuses the team on intended outcomes. Problem-solving and conflict resolution are useful skills for addressing issues if they arise. Decision-making means guiding a team to consensus or making a final call when needed. Follow-up ensures documentation of action items and responsibilities, to maintain accountability and progress.

Adaptability is important. Meetings evolve, and leaders must respond to the team's needs. Seeking post-meeting feedback demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement. It solidifies a leader's dedication to holding effective team meetings. This contributes to team success and goal attainment.

3 examples of team leadership excellence

Case study 1: Melanie Perkins, Founder and CEO, Canva

"Leadership is about creating an environment where people can do their best work." – Melanie Perkins

Melanie Perkins’ visionary leadership has been pivotal in shaping Canva's success. A true innovator, she pushes the boundaries of what Canva offers. Perkins' leadership style is empowering. She fosters a culture where every team member's voice matters. This has built a diverse and inclusive environment that nurtures creativity and collaboration. As part of this, Melanie implemented F4S across the organization in 2017. It has evolved into a fundamental leadership asset within Canva. F4S bolsters the distinct talents of individuals and teams. It promotes diversity and inclusivity. And it drives Canva towards ambitious goals.

Case study 2: Steve Jobs, Apple

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.” – Steve Jobs

Innovative and visionary, Steve Jobs’ leadership style was notable for its demanding nature. Renowned for exacting standards and unrelenting demands, Jobs was never satisfied with mediocrity. He pushed his employees to achieve their very best. His direct communication style meant he didn't sugarcoat feedback or hide opinions. While this approach could be challenging for his teams, it ensured clarity and a sense of purpose. It transformed Apple from the brink of failure into a tech giant. His visionary style drove teams to raise the bar. This led to products like the iMac and iPhone that revolutionized entire industries. Another facet of Jobs' leadership was his emphasis on an entire product ecosystem. He didn't only focus on individual products, he saw the importance of how they fit together. As seen in Apple's interconnected ecosystem of devices, software, and services.

Case study 3: Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo

“I wouldn’t ask nobody to do something I would do myself...” – Indra Nooyi

Taking a softer approach, characterized by visionary thinking and a commitment to inclusivity. Her "Performance with Purpose" initiative aligned business with social and environmental goals. Her strategic leadership was evident as she diversified PepsiCo's product offerings. This was to address the growing demand for healthier and sustainable options. She also championed an inclusive work culture that encouraged diverse perspectives. Effective communication skills allowed Nooyi to convey PepsiCo's commitment to sustainability. It led to the company gaining support from stakeholders. Her unwavering focus on long-term objectives, contributed to PepsiCo's growth and sustainability. Nooyi's inclusive leadership left a lasting impact. It boosted the company's reputation and aided its competitiveness.

How to develop team leadership skills

Developing team leadership skills is essential for building a thriving and efficient workplace.

To start, employees need to assess their current leadership abilities. F4S's self-assessment tools offer insights into strengths and areas for improvement. Employers can then provide training and workshops to develop employees' leadership skills.

F4S provides coaching with practical insights, and guidance to improve leadership skills.