Qualities of a Great Team Leader (Part 2 of 6)

Today I want to talk about the first two qualities on our list. Here’s a reminder of the 10 qualities of a great leader.

1. Leverage Influence

Let’s start with how great team leaders leverage their influence for the sake of those around them. In his recent 8 part series called Follow, Andy Stanley outlined the importance of this in the 7th part of the series (check it out here.) Basically, paraphrasing of course, when you are at the top of the food chain at your office or on your team, how you leverage your influence is an indication of the type of leader you are. He would argue (and obviously I agree) that the greatest [team] leaders are the ones who use that influence, resource and power to bring others up and serve them. This comes from the passage in Mark 10, where James and John ask Jesus if they can sit at his right and left in paradise.

He then says, “You know that those are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them…not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

Here’s what this looks like in a day to day situation. Great team leaders will always see opportunities for them as opportunities for their team. Many times they will use the resources given to them to celebrate, develop and care for their teams. It is so powerful when leaders are with their teams until the last chair is stacked and the lights are turned out. We have all had moments where we saw our leaders as sweaty as the rest of the team while everyone knows they don’t have to do that. It’s contagious. It’s the kind of leader everyone wants to work for….I mean with. Great team leaders feel like they are on your team and are constantly leveraging all they have at their disposal to serve.

2. Approachable

The second quality on this list cannot be removed or deleted from a great team leaders resume. To me, this has to be such a central principle that without it, I’m not convinced you can be a great TEAM leader. I know the argument can be had that there were great leaders in history who were not approachable. Agreed. But I would argue they were not necessarily great TEAM leaders. They probably were brilliant minds and strategist that led through fear and had turn over.

Great team leaders create a culture on their team where your team members feel the freedom to express their thoughts and an “open-door” type policy. I always want my team to feel like they can bring any question, comment or concern to me. Let me say this as well. When this is accomplished correctly, there is not a lack of respect for the authority your role carries. At Catalyst East last October, Patrick Lencioni talked about the argument that many CEOs or execs would use about being vulnerable and approachable. He said that you can’t be vulnerable enough. I would add that when your team members feel like you are authentic and their advocates, they will respect your position even more!

I can promise you one thing, approachability will create a team of loyal team members.

Try it and let me know if I’m wrong.

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