Team leaders come in every type of unit or group or Team. Management teams have a leader – CEO, Chairman, etc. IT teams have a leader – CIO, System Application team leader, Business Continuity Manager, etc. All units, groups = Teams and all have leaders.

The leader has responsibilities as we have discussed; selecting competent contributors as team members; developing a roadmap with the team that is rigorous and disciplined, etc. But the leader’s primary initiative is the communication of the team’s purpose, vision and objective.

The leader communicates with clarity, the purpose which gives meaning to the team’s objective. But it gives meaning to each team member as the reason to work, to contribute, and to participate with enthusiasm and commitment.

The leader communicates publicly and privately to teams, team members, peers, customers, management, boards, stockholders and on and on. The most compelling responsibility is the clear focused words of purpose.

Leaders succeed on a well communicated purpose!