The team theory of leadership is one of the most relevant and usable approaches to leadership that I have studied. This approach provides leaders with a comprehensive roadmap (see below) that allows them to monitor and assess their teams’ concerns to determine how they can best help their followers achieve shared goals. In this model leaders must determine whether their most appropriate action is to monitor their teams’ problems or to take corrective action. Should the leader determine that action is needed the team model provides a general direction to start the leader on a path to correcting the problem whether it is internal or external to the team (Northouse, 2013).
(Northouse, 2013, p. 5463)
“A team is a specific type of group composed of members who are interdependent, who share common goals, and who must coordinate their activities to accomplish these goals” (Northouse, 2013, p. 5388). Given the definition of team, it seems that the team theory of leadership may be useful in any situation where groups are chasing a common goal. As a career Marine I have been in many military units where this theory has been applied (however, at the time I did not realize it). Some examples are: maintenance teams which focused on one specific maintenance area but had an overall goal of repairing airplanes; security teams which focused on one area of a defensive perimeter but had a common goal of securing an area; and communications teams which were responsible for preparing and testing communications equipment with a shared goal of establishing communications between units. In each instance there was a leader outside the group who monitored the common goal and took internal or external leadership actions when necessary.
Another situation where the team leadership model may be effective is within families. In my household my wife and I have developed specific leadership roles to keep our family on track to meet our shared goals. For example, I am responsible for managing our finances. I have established a budget and it is my job to ensure that we reach our short and long term financial goals. I manage this goal by regularly monitoring our household spending to ensure that we are within our financial limits. If I find that my wife is nearing our spending limit I must determine the appropriate action. In the team leadership model I have three options: continue to monitor the situation, take an internal leadership action, or take an external leadership action (Northouse, 2013, pp. 5533-5597). An example of monitoring would be to continue to watch our spending account to see if my wife will go over the limit. An internal leadership action might be to talk to her and remind her of our financial goals (task focus). An external leadership action might be to share relevant environmental information with my wife. I could remind her that Christmas season is approaching and that we could save money by waiting to purchase items until they are on sale.
The team theory of leadership is a very effective model for a leader who is part of a team, or the leader of one. This comprehensive approach to leading groups provides a roadmap to take corrective action when the leader deems necessary. The team theory is relevant in many situations including leadership within families.
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice (Kindle Edition). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
I find it interesting that not only is it the team leaders responsibility to keep the team on track but also make sure each member of the team is doing their part to better the team. While reading this weeks lesson, I couldn’t help but think of a football team. While the coach is the team leader, he ensures that each player fills their role and does what they can for the team. Now in football there is monetary motivation but I would like to believe that the boys are playing for more than just money. I have come to love football because of this team aspect. I agree with you that a family develops a team mentality. I always make sure each member of my family knows their role and accomplishes it. I am the organizer. I organize everyone’s schedules and make sure there is not an interference within the family. My husband handles the finances. I feel that this is typically in the hands of the male due to the ability to say no to a cute pair of shoes.Team work is all around us. It covers many aspects of our lives. Sometimes I feel I am a team leader and in other situations I have to learn how to be a good follower. Thank you for your post! The diagram is great at explaining more in depth.