Brandon W. Jones

There are many important factors that must be followed by product team leaders for the team to be successful. One important factor is that the system be set up so leaders and team members work together. In addition, for the team to be successful it is essential that the team members be allowed to make decisions for their specific responsibilities.

I have been involved in many different team projects in school as well as in the work force and there is a significant difference in the outcome of the project depending on the role of the leader. There are two types of leaders that I have seem and worked with: the leaders that stand back and tell others what to do while not getting involved themselves and the leaders that jump in and get just as involved as the team members. The leaders that get involved know exactly what the team members are going through and they are a strong support to the team. The uninvolved leaders are less able to gain the respect and love of the team members. The team members also begin to have the feeling of us versus them with management.

The other important factor to having a successful team that I want to highlight is that team members must be allowed to make decisions over their responsibilities. In a system where team members always have to request permission to make a decision, the team members don’t feel as much confidence in themselves or their work. They also are not as diligent in coming to the best conclusion they can because they feel their leader will either override their decision or take the decision and modify it. Either approach is detrimental to the overall production of the company.