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KAMALJEET SINGH AND ALOK KUMAR SRIVASTAVA: TEAM BUILDING EMPLOYING EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP TRAITS DOI: 10.21917/ijms.2023.0270

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TEAM BUILDING EMPLOYING EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP TRAITS

Kamaljeet Singh1 and Alok Kumar Srivastava2 1Hybrid Microcircuit Group, U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bangalore, India

2Industry and Indigenisation Area, U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bangalore, India

Abstract

Human resource is an important part of the organization but even so

the team members assigned to complete the project played pivotal role

in its execution. Varied approaches can be to formulated to achieves

desired results but eventually the work done with the contribution from

each team member makes it a truly remarkable experience. The

engagement of the work force and imbibing the spirit of taking

calculated risks without punishing them for unsuccessful outcome

paves much more to the projects in long run. Team leader role is to

dream big and build team confidence as well as to ensure team closely

knitted together to make this reality. Team performance eventually

leads to the organization performance and mostly dictates by the

leadership traits. Further the organization culture is built over the

years by the leaders and having major role in shaping the future of the

organization.

Keywords:

Leadership Traits, Management, Team Building

1. INTRODUCTION

Team organization, their motivation, discussions with defined

objective, keep throwing challenges, readiness for alternative plan

in case any hindrance, providing stress free environment are the

aspects to be possessed by the team leader [1]-[4]. The concept of

taking along everyone and assigning the work as per individual

capability is also key factor resulting in smooth execution without

stretching one’s limit. This also make working enjoyable and

make individual feel to contribute his level best. Successful

execution of the project depends on the team leader and it’s very

important that leader to be respected by every team member for

which a leader should earn. Working in fear, intimidation,

disrespect to be avoided for a healthy working environment.

Another important aspect is to imbibe the value of perseverance

in each team member and imbibe this habit in their daily activity.

The flow of information to each member, taking constructive

suggestions and making them feel part of system should always

be encouraged by the leader which is very well exemplified in the

case study of ISRO progress [5].

Also, the leader role is to ensure that each day activity is stress

free as this impact hugely on the individual’s health resulting in

poor efficiency. Stress is segregated into three categories:

Eustress, Stress and Distress. Encountering light stress enhances

one’s focus and thinking mechanism but excessive stress of any

nature poses health hazards. So a leader role is to bring out clarity,

motivation, personal experiences and be a good listener to earn

team’s faith. Innovative methodology, clarity, openness,

discipline, no self-interest, defining purpose are the traits to be

possessed by the leader. A leader should be inspirational and able

to carry out the transformation with his ability to think differently

by bringing new perspective. Creation of changes and

management of the same either by influence or with authority

distinguishes between leader and manager. Manager focuses more

on the process and not on the substance whereas leader focuses

more on the people having open communication, define vision,

take risk apart from bringing new perspective in dealing with the

problems [6]-[7]. Douglas MacArthur cited ‘A true leader has the

confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions,

and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not

set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his

actions and the integrity of his intent’ [8]. Leader should possess

cognitive skills, business skills, interpersonal skills and strategic

skills so as to take organization to the next level [9].

In this article the various aspects related to effective leadership

are bought out and the importance as well as significance on the

overall performance is bought out.

1.1 CLARITY

The execution of project depends on the clarity of the problem

and understanding it properly before assigning work to the team

member knowing individual capabilities. The clear perfective

paves way for easier and timely execution of the given task. Team

lead to think beyond and put extra effort to find out the ways in

case of blockage or hindrance. Also opening up various channel

of discussions and taking suggestions even from juniors. The

importance of documentation, clarity in providing instructions are

also play a bigger role in keeping away the misinformation and

confusion. It is well known fact that job properly planned is half

done. The outcome of project mostly depends on the clarity and

with proper role assignment to each one.

1.2 INVOLVEMENT

The involvement of the team leader at every stages is the

prerequisite for the execution of the project. This stems out from

the fact that if team lead doesn’t involve and sub contracted the

assignment will have detrimental bearing on the end result. This

will also enable a backup redundancy in case of any bottleneck.

Constant feedback, understanding problem of each individual,

providing constant motivation, setting aside personal egos and

keeping them focused on the present activities help to achieve the

desired goal. Self-reliance is the key for any activity and without

attaining the same the end results are real setback at the later

stages [10].

2. MOTIVATION

Motivational comes out in form of tangible or intangible

reward given to the employee. The study shows that intangible

reward such as praise and recognition plays much important role.

Praise can be much more effective as tangible rewards. Designing

of the job profile making the job interesting and challenging

where leader has to play a major role. Making the job looks simple

and providing constant encouragement paves way for better

results. Constant motivation to the team paves the way for higher

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efficiency extracting work from the limited man power. The goal

is to maximize the output of each individual rather than asking for

additional manpower and resources. Optical resource

mobilization is possible only through motivational and personal

touch. Indian culture, history enriched with motivational stories

provide various lessons which needs to be told in regular intervals

having moral teachings to boost the morale of the team. Also

importance of each activity and making them understand that

sincere working brings one close to the God. Also each activity

strengthens the country so loyalty, sharing and hard work is

another way to keep remembering God. Firm believe in one’s

capabilities result in attaining success.

3. TIME MANAGEMENT

One of the most important aspects as to utilize the provided

opportunity in the given time. Importance of well-balanced life

can only be understood if individual life is well disciplined

adhering to punctuality. As same activity continuously brings

boredom, so identification of multiple activities and small get

together can lead to have better understanding. Also nature of

work postponement to some other day to be discouraged as well

as preference for regionalism, linguistic to be sternly dealt. Also

any constructive activity and ideas for the betterment to be

encouraged. Team lead can show this the way as whatever is

preached should be done before expecting from others. The

concept of Listen, Learn and Grow to be part of the team building.

It is also expected to provide timeline for each of the activity and

regularly oversee the daily progress of the assigned activities.

Apart from technical or other valid reasons, slippage to be

questioned and the importance of the milestone and adherence to

timeline to be adhered.

4. ROLE OF CRITICISM

Criticism is to improve the system even if the points raised are

irrelevant. This is needed to be told to the team that any points

raised should be deliberated in the right concern without proper

justification. Also dissent of any nature between the members to

be sorted out as the same will lead to disastrous effect on the other

members. Any idea floated to be listened as cutting short the same

may hurt, harbor ill feeling and kill the enthusiasm and spark.

Personal issues and problems should not be part of the individual

discussions. Another important aspect is to have healthy

competition and groupism of any nature should be dealt with stern

warning. Regular meeting to be initiated which should be starting

with the action taken report of the previous meeting and the same

to be minuted and circulated to all team members. Leader should

have the ability to solve problem by engaging in the activity rather

asking individual to find solutions. Apart from engaging, leader

should involve team with inquisitive questions so in calculating

the habit of reading as well as thinking and be ready to accept and

amend mistakes.

5. RECOGNITION

The individual work recognition is expected by each

individual. The system should encourage to recognize the effort

of each individual and simple praiseworthy efforts by higher ups

boost the morale. Leader should have trait to sacrifice self-

recognition and providing the recognition to the team effort in

every possible occasion. Apart from award, the necessity is to

give appreciation by words, encourage them to think out of box

and be part of the failure. Even the positives out of failures to be

taken out and the person doing so to be recognized. Suitable

recognition from sweeper to cab driver, peon to electrician,

plumber to cook is very important in the healthy environment.

Team leader should always remain cheerful even in the case of

adversity as this may lead to happy working environment. The

gloomy and frustration paves for the downfall of the team moral.

Criticism or finding fault attitude to be replaced by providing

suggestions and asking team member to think and deliberate its

pros and cons. A leader should praise full team in public platform

so as the importance of team effort and recognition automatically

works as morale booster.

6. OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Main attributes of a leader stems from the fact that he leads

from the front and demonstrate practically the expectations from

the team. The attributes can be classified as:

• Discipline: Most important trait which makes an ordinary

person extraordinary.

• Knowledge: Always learning new things in life and

acceptable to suggestions for improvement. Leader to be

adaptable for criticism so as to gain new insights.

• Self-management: Time management stems from this trait

and make things to move with ease.

• Self-belief: All solutions lies within and having such

confidence results in attaining solutions

• Making God as partner: One should be ethical in life and not

take others share. Making God as partner results in keeping

high spirit as the belief that almighty will not allow to sink

will keep happy in all circumstances.

Fig.1. Attributes in percentage for a good leader

1 Decisiveness (30%) 2 Task oriented (20%) 3 Truthful & impartial(15%) 4 Fearless & confident(15%) 5 Lisenter & team approach(10%) 6 Others attribute(10%)

KAMALJEET SINGH AND ALOK KUMAR SRIVASTAVA: TEAM BUILDING EMPLOYING EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP TRAITS

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The overall environment of the work place should be based on

the positivity which is based on the well-being and happiness of

each individual. The main elements to achieve the model stems

from the welfare-oriented measures and respecting individual

dignity. Quick decision, calculated risk, humility are the other

traits of a good leader. Further precise communication, fearless

approach, flexibility, time bound actions, encouraging talents and

providing freedom of opinions are other traits a good leader to

possess.

Also, leader should have total control over the various

emotions such as anger as this is necessary for the creation of

discipline.

7. LEARNING FROM INDIVIDUAL

EXPERIENCES

Lessons learnt from the personal experiences are important

source for finding out the quick solutions from the tricky

situations. Various personal experiences and lessons learnt in the

daily routine helps to find out various solutions amicably.

Connection with nature brings positivity which automatically

spreads to others also. Situation such as distress such as death of

close relative, major illness etc play a bigger role in the day to day

working, so it is important that people facing such situations to be

dealt with empathy. One should stand with them and be a calm

listener. Also various motivational stories to be correlated to keep

up moral boosting. Each activity to be taken as God opportunity

to examine us, so always we should do each activity by putting

our heart and soul. Also expectations from people bound us to feel

dejected so after completion of the work we should only thank to

supreme power and remember only the lessons learnt. Negative

thoughts to be quenched at the instance of its beginning as this

leads to cancerous effect. One should never encourage a member

speaking against another either in isolation or in meetings. The

listening of other faults, their shortcomings without observing

kills the foundation of the system and even organization. Also

bypassing leader for one’s self interest by team member and

giving weightage to such elements demotivate the leader

enthusiasm which further reflects in the overall performance.

Any work starting with the positive attitude and proper home

work is bound to achieve the desired results. It is important that

beginning the day with positive vibes remains for the full day. So

team which always work with sincerity, each individual

committed to the cause, loyalty to the organization and spirit of

sharing knowledge and experiences plays an important role in

shaping the difference between victory and defeat. Also, it is well

known fact that everybody is different and having his own unique

style so leader should not impose his style as this will lead to

confusion and chaos [11]. Another key aspect is to talk less as

talkative not only waste other time but also some loose words lead

to demotivation. Learning from mistakes and each individual

style, grabbing opportunities, thinking differently, proper

assignments as per individual capabilities are some of the traits a

leader should possess. Loss and win are part of the game and that

concept prepares the team to learn so as to be prepared for higher

challenges and obstacles. As every winner once was a loser, every

teacher was once student, every expert once was a beginner and

the only way it can be achieved is by keep learning.

8. LEADER TRAITS

Knowledge, facility and challenge are present everywhere and

a good leader should catch them to make a mark. Important traits

for the team leaders are:

• Sound foundation and openness

• Calculated risk and taking responsibility

• Throwing new ideas and creating new challenges

• Keep setting new targets with roadmap

• Working together for common aim

• Remain always accessible

Another important aspect for a leader is to be regretful and feel

sorry for any rude behavior. This will not only improve individual

personality but also will earn respect from the team. The

individual should feel proud to be associated with the work and

enthusiast enough to take up new assignments. The role of

leadership is of utmost important and its relevance is more so in

present day scenario [12]. The leader should earn respect by

possessing the following qualities:

• In-depth knowledge of the subject or keenness in learning

• Highly dedicated with impeccable integrity

• Leading by example

• No self-centric approach

• Team building, involvement in activities

• Open for constructive criticism

• Principled stand and decisiveness

• Respecting others view

• Admitting mistakes

• Building and keeping trust

• Giving due credit to the team and projecting to the higher

management

• Listening others perspectives patiently

A leader should take proactive steps, lays foundation for future

organization goal, create pool of young team and ready to give

due credit. He should be ready to accept mistake and to be open

to any form of constructive criticism. Further creating teams of

yes man, self-centric approach, imposing and dictating mandate

to internal review committees, influencing the decisions are self-

inflicted damages on the basic foundation of the organization and

leader showing any such traits to be taken seriously. Promoting

right people, impartial reviews and ratings, proper assignment,

leading the team from the front, listening to the suggestions,

taking strong decisions and provides proper direction are some

other important factors which can turn around the outcome. A

clear perspective of the activities in this area and road map for the

same to be meticulously followed so as to enable the manpower

meeting the defined targets with the constant enthusiasm. The

bottlenecks to be taken one by one and ensuring remedial actions

in time bound manner. It is natural that some people don’t want

team to succeed, so leader to remain alert and be prepared for

alternative plan for the execution [13]. As Doug Larson quoted,”

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you

would have preferred to talk “; so a leader should talk less and

listen more to have effective impact. In summary, the important

traits for building a strong team apart from mature leadership is:

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• Openness resulting in free flow of ideas and accepting

criticism in right spirit

• Truthful and disciplined workforce

• Liberty of putting ideas

• Importance on quality and reliability aspects

• Optimum usage of available resources

• Dissemation of knowledge and sharing attitude

• Imbibing the importance of moral values

Phase manner approach by putting small targets is better way

of execution and gradually boost team confidence. The mentoring

to be done by setting an example and making roadmap for the

success. This will instill confidence in the team and remember the

role of the leader who inspired and shaped the legacy by making

difference. ISRO is the shining example of such visionary leaders

created the culture of resilience [5].

Recent example of the success of moon mission attributed to

the visionary leadership and the identification of the task team.

The team having full confidence of the leader worked with

dedication and showed great teamwork resulting in the ordinary

people achieving extraordinary feat. Further the project initiated

in the mission mode with full clarity, defined objectives and clear

perspective. All the instructions are communicated to each team

member and technical differences are sorted with deliberations

and consensus. Role of the leader in keeping the morale high was

evident while encountering set back in the previous mission.

Leadership also play role in instilling confidence and guided them

at each and every stage.

9. SUMMARIZATION

Present scenario of not listening other’s perspective and

finding faults are stumbling block in project execution. Creating

a healthy working environment by giving importance to each

individual activity leads to a strong team build which will stand

for each other paving way for healthy environment. Leadership

plays an important role correlating with the team effort where

team captain is not only the role model but simultaneously act as

a friend and mentor for each player. As stated by Eric Hoffer ,”

Leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language

of visionary and the idealist,” provide the gist of the role a leader

should play. Team lead also need to be strong enough to

assimilate all the problems and always be cheerful and energetic

in every day activity. This automatically make each day

productive and results in hidden moral boosting. The outcome of

a good leader is that nurturing of team members so that each

individual can take much higher responsibility and can

accommodate in any team while creating everlasting impact for

the given assignment. As our culture always emphasize to give

back to the society, so a good leader should nurture and create

more effective leaders.

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