How To Become a Team Leader

What is a Team Leader?

A team leader is an individual who supervises, manages and leads a group of individuals towards a common objective. They are responsible for managing team members, delegating tasks, providing guidance, and monitoring the performance of the team. 

What Does a Team Leader Do?

The role of a team leader varies depending on the organisation and industry that the person is working in. However, some common tasks you may find in the leadership job description include: 

1. Managing a team: A team leader is responsible for building trust and managing individuals to ensure that they work together effectively. This involves delegating tasks, motivating team members, and resolving conflicts. 
2. Ensuring the team meets targets: They must ensure that the team meets its targets and objectives. They must monitor the team's progress, identify potential issues, and take corrective action where necessary. 
3. Communication: They must be an effective communicator. This makes sure team members are aware of their tasks and responsibilities, as well as any changes in objectives or procedures. 
4. Training and development: They develop their co-workers and make sure they have the skills to excel in their roles. This also includes team building so that all individuals feel confident in working collectively to achieve a common goal.
5. Performance management: They must monitor their team's performance, providing feedback, coaching, and support to improve their performance. 
6. Problem-solving: A team leader must be able to identify and resolve problems quickly and effectively. This ensures that the team can continue to work towards its objectives. 

How Much Does a Team Leader Earn?

The salary will vary based on a range of circumstances. This includes the organisation you are working for, the level of responsibility that the role includes and where your organisation is based.

With some roles, companies may offer other incentives such as a training budget, hybrid working or private healthcare.

A lower starting salary for a team leader in the UK could start at around £21,000 per year. With experience, a team leader could earn over £37,000 per year. 

The average salary in the UK for a team leader is around £27,000 per year.

How Do I Become a Team Leader?

There are a variety of ways you can become a good leader in your workplace. Before applying it’s important to consider what your organisation may be looking for. 

For businesses recruiting, a team leader job description will have some common requirements which include: 

1. Experience: Most organisations require you to have relevant work experience in their industry. This may include experience in leading and managing teams. 
2. Leadership skills: You must possess strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire your team members. 
3. Emotional intelligence: The role requires you to have the ability to react comfortably to different scenarios. It is important when managing others to remain level-headed in situations that may be stressful.
4. Communication skills: Effective communication is critical for anyone in management. You must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with team members, stakeholders, and other departments. 
5. Problem-solving skills: You must be able to identify and resolve problems quickly and effectively. 
6. Technical skills: Depending on the industry, technical skills or knowledge related to their field may be required.  

If you are missing some of these team leader skills, there are plenty of ways you can gain a better understanding.  

How To Gain More Experience For a Team Leader Role

There are a number of ways you can develop your leadership and management skills. Often skills such as communication or motivating others are something that you may do on a daily basis already.

Other ways to gain more experience and become a good team leader include:

Volunteering

Volunteering for opportunities in your workplace will support you in gaining an understanding of what is needed to meet certain targets. Even if you don’t lead a team, the experience that you gain will enable you to become better prepared. 

Asking For Advice From Your Workplace

Speaking to your management team may help to create a pathway for you to develop into a team leader. Often, businesses will be happy to support their staff’s development. It's more beneficial to train someone in the workplace who understands the business than to hire a new member of staff. 

They may be able to signpost particular opportunities or training that could support your development. 

You could also ask your other colleagues or other team members for advice. They may have first-hand experience of what it takes to be a successful team leader. This can provide valuable insight into the role. Additionally, they can offer advice on the best way to find and take advantage of development opportunities.

Finding out what other team members have done to progress can provide a useful starting point for your own journey.

Studying a Team Leadership Qualification

If you feel you lack knowledge and understanding of how to progress into a leadership role, should consider taking a qualification. This will give you the skill set you need to gain more experience. 

We offer a fully funded, online qualification that will support you in learning the principles of team leading. You’ll gain an understanding of how to manage people in the workplace, how to motivate a team, and how to create an effective team. You’ll also learn about the importance of communication, how to provide feedback and how to lead a team.

The qualification also covers how to manage change and project management, which are essential skills to become a great leader in your workplace. With the qualification, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to move forward into a team leader role.

This qualification is nationally accredited by NCFE CACHE, which means it is recognised by employers. 

With the qualification being online based, it offers learners complete flexibility in where and when they choose to study. 

To learn more, you can read about the qualification here.