What are the tasks of a team leader?

Everyone knows what an ophthalmologist does or what the job of a baker entails, as well as that of a salesperson or a make-up artist. Then there are job titles that are confusing or mean one thing in one place and another in another. One of these job titles is definitely team leader! - That's why we're going to talk about the meaning of team leader and the tasks involved in this job.

Team leaders play a central role in many companies, as they are the first link between employees and management. But what exactly are the tasks of a team leader and what management responsibilities do they have? In this article, we take a look at the various areas of responsibility, the typical working day and the career opportunities for team leaders.

The main tasks of a team leader: leading and organizing the team

The main task of a team leader is (quite simply put!) to lead the team and coordinate the work processes. It is important to consider both the goals of the company and the individual strengths of the team members. The main tasks include:

• Team leadership: Ensuring that all team members are motivated and productive and know who has to do what.
• Planning and organization: Distribute tasks and projects in such a way that work can be carried out efficiently and the quality of the product is guaranteed.
• Goal setting and monitoring: Break down management goals into realistic sub-steps and regularly monitor progress.
• Provide feedback and conduct appraisal interviews: Regular discussions with team members are important in order to identify potential for improvement.

It is important to note that everyday life as a team leader in production or logistics may differ from that of a team leader in nursing (also known as a shift leader or ward manager). In most cases, you will take on team leadership in addition to your technical tasks.

Roughly summarized: A team leader takes on tasks relating to the management, coordination and organization of a team. If you're curious about the tasks involved in other professions that aren't immediately obvious from the name, we have another article for you: What tasks does an engineer actually do?

The areas of responsibility of a team leader

As a team leader, you take responsibility for your team. You are the link between the management and your employees because you are the first point of contact for your team and also responsible for the performance of your employees in front of the 'higher' management. The most important areas of responsibility include

• Quality assurance: Responsibility for the quality of work results and compliance with company standards.
• Employee development: As a team leader, you recognize the potential of your employees and help them to develop further. You are also the first point of contact for personal problems within the team. 
• Conflict resolution: In the event of problems within the team, the team leader is first and foremost responsible for finding efficient solutions and promoting a good working atmosphere.
• Reporting: Regular reporting to management on the status of projects and the team's performance is also part of your duties.

As a team leader, you take responsibility for the success of your team and you also directly influence the satisfaction and performance of your team .

A typical working day for a team leader

The day-to-day work of a team leader is often varied and requires a high degree of flexibility. A typical day may include the following tasks:

• Mornings: Brief update of team members and planning of the day, during which the tasks for the day are defined.
• During the day: Regular coordination with team members, solving problems that arise within the team and occasional meetings with senior managers or management for reporting. 
• Evening: Evaluation of the day's results and preparation for the next day.

Team leaders must be able to react quickly to changes and motivate the team even in stressful situations.

Example: A typical working day for a team leader in the HVAC sector

A team leader in the sanitary, heating and air conditioning sector has a varied working day that requires organization, technical knowledge and leadership skills:

• Mornings: The day begins with a short meeting of the team members, where tasks are assigned and daily goals are set. The team leader plans the assignments and usually divides the team into smaller groups, which then take on the installation of a heating system or maintenance work, for example. The tasks are divided up between the team members so that everyone knows what is expected of them and can work independently.
• During the day: The team leader checks progress, clarifies problems and coordinates with the management. In the event of unexpected challenges, such as a lack of spare parts, he quickly looks for solutions and supports the team with complex tasks.
• In the evening: At the end, the team leader documents the results and plans the next day. Precise follow-up is important to ensure complete project documentation.

A team leader in the HVAC sector must react flexibly to changes, motivate the team and always maintain an overview.

Career opportunities and earning potential for a team leader

As a team leader, many career opportunities open up for you. With sufficient experience and continuous further training, you can move up to higher management levels more easily. Naturally, your earnings will increase over the course of your career.

Typical career steps for team leaders:

• Head of department: The next level up is usually the management of an entire department, which usually includes several teams. 
• Specialist further training: Specialist training courses, such as those offered for HVAC system mechanics , also help team leaders to further develop their professional skills. If you don't want to take on more management responsibility, expanding your specialist knowledge is a very well-paid alternative. 
• Project manager: A promotion to project management opens up many new career prospects. Coordination on a large scale is required here: You plan entire buildings or the latest series of a Porsche car. 

The tasks and responsibilities of a team leader are varied and demanding. With the right combination of leadership skills, organizational talent and the ability to resolve conflicts, a team leader can play an important role in the company.

If you are looking for a new professional challenge or want to work as a team leader in a different industry, WorkerHero is the right platform for you. WorkerHero offers numerous vacancies for professionals in the blue and gray areas, ideal for people who do not yet speak perfect German.