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How to Become a Team Leader: Duties, Qualities, and Leadership Courses

Learn how to become a team leader. Understand team leader duties, responsibilities, qualities, and salary. Explore leadership and management courses.

Leadership Business

Smiling woman leading a team meeting in an office, showing teamwork and leadership.

Team leadership is one of the most fulfilling career paths because it allows you to inspire others, bring out their best, and unite them around shared goals.

As a leader, you have the opportunity to guide your team toward success, celebrate their big wins, and give them the tools they need to grow and improve.

Let’s explore what it takes to become a great team leader.

What to Expect as a Team Leader

As a team leader, you can expect to take on responsibilities that help keep projects on track. You'll put the system in place that ensures productivity and fosters collaboration.

Being a team leader is not just about managing tasks—it’s about inspiring others, offering support, and creating a sense of unity within your team. Along the way, you’ll also learn to adapt, problem-solve, and grow.

Team Leader Salary

At the end of the day, the success of your team and the results they deliver rest on your shoulders. It's your job to keep everything moving in the right direction, and that level of accountability doesn’t go unnoticed. That’s why team leaders are typically well-paid—the average team leader salary is between $90,000 and $110,000.

Team Leader Duties and Responsibilities

Team leaders have a real opportunity to make an impact because they’re at the heart of their team’s success. They’re the ones who guide the group and keep everyone focused.

But with this important role comes a lot of responsibility—after all, the team’s performance and ability to hit objectives ultimately depend on their leadership. It’s a big job, but it’s also what makes being a team leader so rewarding.

Team leader duties include:

Setting clear, measurable goals and defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs)
Maintaining open and honest communication
Delegating tasks to the suitable team members depending on their individual interests and unique strengths
Offering training and support that empowers team members to grow their skills and overcome challenges
Addressing and resolving interpersonal or operational conflicts

These tasks require strong technical skills, like industry-specific knowledge, proficiency with project management tools, time management strategies, and the ability to analyse and interpret data to make informed, beneficial decisions. Depending on the specifics of the role, they might also include process optimisation, budgeting, and other duties.

However, what truly sets exceptional leaders apart isn’t just their technical know-how. It's their soft skills. Empathy, open-mindedness, adaptability, and the ability to see things from various perspectives are all just as important.

Top Characteristics of a Team Leader

The following team leader qualities will help you drive success:

Influence

A team leader is someone who naturally earns the respect and attention of others. They inspire, motivate, and guide their team toward a common goal, not just by giving directions but by building strong, genuine relationships. Their trustworthiness and ability to connect with others encourage team members to give their best effort day in and day out.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Humans are emotional, and team dynamics can be nuanced. An effective team leader has a high EQ, which helps them understand how team members are feeling and why. Team conflict is not uncommon, but empathy and compassion can help a team member find a resolution. A high EQ also enables effective stress management, which contributes to a positive, productive, high-performing workplace culture.

Organisation

Team leadership is a balancing act. They have to manage and strategically prioritise multiple tasks. They need to stay on top of who's doing what and when deliverables are due.

Vision and Big-Picture Thinking

A visionary leader sees how daily tasks contribute to big-picture success. They align their team's efforts with broader organisational goals. They also give their team members a sense of purpose by showing them how their role plays in real-world, positive outcomes.

Potential

A good leader identifies individual strengths within the team and helps team members maximise their potential. They offer support and guidance and challenge promising team members with new responsibilities. This creates a culture of growth and motivation.

Leadership Courses for Aspiring Team Leaders

Some people are natural-born leaders. However, everything you need to excel in a team leader job role can be learnt. If you are an aspiring team leader and ready to invest in your future, consider the following leadership and management courses:

Certificate IV in Leadership and Management

The Certificate IV in Leadership and Management gives you the essential leadership skills you need to step into a more senior position.

Diploma of Leadership and Management

The nationally recognised Diploma of Leadership and Management is ideal for experienced professionals who want to sharpen their critical thinking and operational planning skills.

Certificate IV in Business (Leadership)

The Certificate IV in Business (Leadership) combines complex administrative and operational tasks with business acumen. This course will prepare you to thrive in uncertainty and make intelligent decisions by analysing information.

Benefits of Leadership Courses

Leadership courses offer a range of advantages that can help you grow both personally and professionally. They’re a great way to address skill gaps and build your confidence, especially if you’re stepping into a leadership role for the first time. These courses also prepare you to navigate evolving workplace dynamics and challenges.

Plus, they can improve your qualifications and open doors to new career opportunities. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, these courses can pave the way to success.

Frequently Asked Questions

A team leader is someone who guides a group towards shared goals. They support and motivate team members, resolve conflicts, provide feedback, and ensure team activities align with broader organisational goals.

A team manager often takes care of administrative responsibilities. Think budgeting and policy compliance. In contrast, a team leader is solely focused on supporting and engaging their team.

Team leader roles and responsibilities include goal setting, task delegation, team member support, performance tracking, conflict resolutions, and more, depending on the nature of the company.

The average salary for a team leader in Australia is between $90,000 and $110,000. It depends on the industry, location, and your experience.

A good team leader balances both hard and soft skills. They have excellent communication skills and meticulous organisational skills.

In addition, they have a high EQ, develop strong relationships founded on trust and respect, and have a big-picture vision. They inspire others to do their best.

The five qualities of a good leader are:

Influential
Emotionally intelligent
Organised
Visionary
Supportive of team growth

A team leader can motivate their team by showing them how their work contributes to larger organisational goals.

They can use data and feedback to demonstrate the impact their team members make.

They can also celebrate team wins and nurture a positive culture.

Take the First Step Towards Your Team Leader Career

Ready to take the next step in your career? Discover what Swinburne Open Education has to offer by exploring flexible online business and leadership courses today. Achieve your goals, your way, at your own pace.