Team Leadership Experience

In my view, a good team leader should demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate with others effectively, be self-aware, consistent, positive, goals, build trust and respect, and also empower the followers.  I learned how to delegate responsibilities and authority to team members. For example, I learned to avoid delegating any responsibilities to team members.

One year ago, I worked as a team leader on a time-sensitive project to deliver and install security cameras and other security devices to a certain company. The project carried enormous operational effect for our customers and had a strict deadline that needed the team to sacrifice extra hours. My manager called me to her office and warned that she would not afford to lose another major customer because of deadline issues. I assured the manager that my team would meet the deadline having made adequate preparation and put all that was needed in place.

The devices, materials, and necessary equipment were delivered to the site and immediately began the work. The team volunteered to labor harder and meet the deadline. However, after the first day of work, we ran into a serious problem that complicated our work. The offices we were doing the installation seemed fully occupied with busy employees carrying out their daily tasks. Our work seemed to cause disturbance and disrupt the serene environment. On our part, we would be forced to delay some work to allow the company employees to carry out their tasks. I felt that if this were allowed to continue, my team would not be able to meet the deadline. I sat around the table with the groups and agreed if possible to work at night. Because such a decision needed approval from the company, I reached out to the management to deliberate the way forward. We agreed that I suspend my job until late in the night when all employees are gone. I communicated the solution to my team and managed to convince them to do the work at night.  I personally stayed at night, and my action boosted the team’s morale. Eventually, the project was completed on time, and the organization did not lose the customer. My manager praised me and commended me for a well done job, but I told her it is the technical team that deserves real credit for burning oil at night to beat the deadline. The following day, the team let me know that the manager had appreciated their effort and excellent job. They also mentioned that it is the first time they have been acknowledged and given credit where it is due (Zaccaro, Rittman, & Marck, 2001).

The project taught me a good lesson. I learned the importance of creating and promoting an enabling environment to enable members to suggest ways to carry out their work better self-assuredly. Working closely with team members, listening to problems they are facing, collaborating and setting achievable goals help the team to gain confidence, enabling them to suggest solutions to the problem they face (Zaccaro, Rittman, & Marck, 2001). By building confidence in the members, I earned trust and respect. This project taught me always to praise my team when they make a concerted effort to beat deadlines and make things better. I learned to say well done to team members and to provide feedbacks (Osaro, & Charles, 2001).

References

Osaro, E. & Charles, A. C. (2001). Laboratory Total Quality Management for Practitioners and Students of Medical Laboratory Science. Bloomington: AuthorHouse

Zaccaro, S. J. Rittman, A. L. & Marck, M. A. (2001). Team leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 12, 451-483

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