Natural role in a team and leadership styles
Introduction
Are you a leader? And if so, what kind of leader are you?
Not all of us are leaders and there is nothing wrong with it! There are several key roles in a successful team and it is of upmost importance to know and understand these roles so we can play our part better. And although we are not all leaders, we can develop our leadership knowledge on various types and characteristics of leadership through research and debate of ideas and arguments.
An entrepreneurial attitude foresees the promotion of an organizational development and change and, for this, coordination and guidelines are essential to lead the group/ team/ organization to effectiveness and success.
If you are a leader, what kind of leader are you?
Do you know what kind of role do you naturally play in a team?
Take the challenge and find out!
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” - John F. Kennedy
Not all of us are leaders and there is nothing wrong with it! There are several key roles in a successful team and it is of upmost importance to know and understand these roles so we can play our part better. And although we are not all leaders, we can develop our leadership knowledge on various types and characteristics of leadership through research and debate of ideas and arguments.
Leadership requires the existence of harmony between the goals shared by leaders and their teams. It is a process that foresees the ability of an individual to influence, motivate and empower a group of people for the effective implementation of a common goal.
An entrepreneurial attitude foresees the promotion of an organizational development and change and, for this, coordination and guidelines are essential to lead the group/ team/ organization to effectiveness and success.
If you are a leader, what kind of leader are you?
Do you know what kind of role do you naturally play in a team?
Take the challenge and find out!
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” - John F. Kennedy
Task
You will start by finding out what kind of role do you naturally play in a team and then group with two teammates. Only working together can you overcome this challenge.
The main challenge we have for you is to choose a leader you admire and to find out more about him/her. If no particular leader comes to your mind, then just choose one from the list of leaders your trainer suggests. The idea is to identify this leader’s story, characteristics and leadership style.
The final outcome of your research should be poured down into a presentation on the leader you studied about and act out a situation that will be presented to you, which involves putting the shoes of the leader you chose and reacting to that situation as you imagine he/she would.
In a later stage of this challenge, after all groups presented the leaders they chose and role-played their leader’s acting, a debate should be held where you and your colleagues will share with the group what leader you feel closer to, explaining the reasons why.
Interested? Let the challenge begin!
“An army of sheep led by a lion is able to defeat an army of lions led by a sheep” - Mia Couto
The main challenge we have for you is to choose a leader you admire and to find out more about him/her. If no particular leader comes to your mind, then just choose one from the list of leaders your trainer suggests. The idea is to identify this leader’s story, characteristics and leadership style.
The final outcome of your research should be poured down into a presentation on the leader you studied about and act out a situation that will be presented to you, which involves putting the shoes of the leader you chose and reacting to that situation as you imagine he/she would.
In a later stage of this challenge, after all groups presented the leaders they chose and role-played their leader’s acting, a debate should be held where you and your colleagues will share with the group what leader you feel closer to, explaining the reasons why.
Interested? Let the challenge begin!
“An army of sheep led by a lion is able to defeat an army of lions led by a sheep” - Mia Couto
Process
1. Find out what is your natural role in a team
Studies have shown that the brightest or most creative people do not necessarily make the best team workers. It would appear that a mix of personal characteristics makes a better team or group. Some analysts of group behaviour have identified a range of personal characteristics as key roles in a group. Try to match your behaviour with one (or more) of The Nine Belbin Team Roles. To help you in this task, you can also watch the video Belbin Team Roles.
2. Team up!
Build your team with two other colleagues. You may choose to team up with your closest friends, with colleagues that have identified themselves with team roles different from yours, or you may use other criteria. It is up to you!
3. Picture a scene
In group, imagine a work life difficult situation involving the action of a leader. Write it on a paper, giving enough detail on the situation so that a group can play it, fold it and give it to your trainer. Later on, each group will have to role play one situation (it can be yours or another group’s suggested idea), picking one paper from the bunch of papers gathered by your trainer from all the groups.
4. Choice of leaders
In your team, try to identify a leader you all admire. It can also be a leader that you don’t know much about but feel curious. If you’re not able to reach a consensus about the leader you will study, there is also the last resource of choosing a leader from the list your trainer presents you. Just have in mind that you have to decide in group.
Hint: Take into consideration the amount of available information you may find about the leader you chose (articles, magazines, newspapers, websites) and the possibility of reaching him/her directly.
5. Research stage
Research as much as you can about the leader you are studying. For instance, is it possible to do interviews (e-mail, phone, meeting…)? Where did this person come from? What is his/her story? What obstacles did he/she have to face? What are the main reasons you admire this person?
6. Identify your leader’s leadership style
A leadership style refers to a leader's characteristic behaviours when directing, motivating, guiding, and managing groups of people. Try to match the leader you have chosen with Lewin’s leadership styles. You must go through the following links - Different Types of Leadership Styles and Kurt Lewin's leadership styles – but we also suggest going through other resources and research on the web. Did you really choose a leader?
Hint: If you are struggling to make the match, research about each specific leadership style and strive to reach an agreement in group.
7. Prepare your presentation
With the information you have collected, prepare a presentation of the leader you have chosen. You may decide which tools/materials/platform to use – PPT, posters, storyboard, short film, etc. -, demonstrating creative thinking and dynamics as much as possible!
Do not forget to define who will be your spokesperson during your group’s presentation. Also, keep in mind that you should research other leadership styles to be prepared for the discussion with the other groups.
8. Prepare for acting!
Your trainer will allow you to pick one paper with a situation suggested by one of the teams (it can even be the one you suggested). Analyse it and think about how the leader you studied would act when faced with that particular situation. As a group, prepare to role play that situation, distributing roles and rehearsing the acting. One rule: all of you will have to participate in the scene/play that you prepare.
9. Make it happen!
Start by presenting the result of your research about the leader, using the presentation you prepared. After that, role play the situation that you got on the paper.
10. Debriefing
After all groups have made their presentation, start a Discussion Panel, where you should be able to answer these questions:
“Earn your leadership every day” - Michael Jordan
Studies have shown that the brightest or most creative people do not necessarily make the best team workers. It would appear that a mix of personal characteristics makes a better team or group. Some analysts of group behaviour have identified a range of personal characteristics as key roles in a group. Try to match your behaviour with one (or more) of The Nine Belbin Team Roles. To help you in this task, you can also watch the video Belbin Team Roles.
2. Team up!
Build your team with two other colleagues. You may choose to team up with your closest friends, with colleagues that have identified themselves with team roles different from yours, or you may use other criteria. It is up to you!
3. Picture a scene
In group, imagine a work life difficult situation involving the action of a leader. Write it on a paper, giving enough detail on the situation so that a group can play it, fold it and give it to your trainer. Later on, each group will have to role play one situation (it can be yours or another group’s suggested idea), picking one paper from the bunch of papers gathered by your trainer from all the groups.
4. Choice of leaders
In your team, try to identify a leader you all admire. It can also be a leader that you don’t know much about but feel curious. If you’re not able to reach a consensus about the leader you will study, there is also the last resource of choosing a leader from the list your trainer presents you. Just have in mind that you have to decide in group.
Hint: Take into consideration the amount of available information you may find about the leader you chose (articles, magazines, newspapers, websites) and the possibility of reaching him/her directly.
5. Research stage
Research as much as you can about the leader you are studying. For instance, is it possible to do interviews (e-mail, phone, meeting…)? Where did this person come from? What is his/her story? What obstacles did he/she have to face? What are the main reasons you admire this person?
6. Identify your leader’s leadership style
A leadership style refers to a leader's characteristic behaviours when directing, motivating, guiding, and managing groups of people. Try to match the leader you have chosen with Lewin’s leadership styles. You must go through the following links - Different Types of Leadership Styles and Kurt Lewin's leadership styles – but we also suggest going through other resources and research on the web. Did you really choose a leader?
Hint: If you are struggling to make the match, research about each specific leadership style and strive to reach an agreement in group.
7. Prepare your presentation
With the information you have collected, prepare a presentation of the leader you have chosen. You may decide which tools/materials/platform to use – PPT, posters, storyboard, short film, etc. -, demonstrating creative thinking and dynamics as much as possible!
Do not forget to define who will be your spokesperson during your group’s presentation. Also, keep in mind that you should research other leadership styles to be prepared for the discussion with the other groups.
8. Prepare for acting!
Your trainer will allow you to pick one paper with a situation suggested by one of the teams (it can even be the one you suggested). Analyse it and think about how the leader you studied would act when faced with that particular situation. As a group, prepare to role play that situation, distributing roles and rehearsing the acting. One rule: all of you will have to participate in the scene/play that you prepare.
9. Make it happen!
Start by presenting the result of your research about the leader, using the presentation you prepared. After that, role play the situation that you got on the paper.
10. Debriefing
After all groups have made their presentation, start a Discussion Panel, where you should be able to answer these questions:
- What kind of leadership did you identify with the most? Why?
- Which of the leaders presented did you find most inspiring? Why?
- Do you think you were true to your leader style when role playing the situation? Why?
“Earn your leadership every day” - Michael Jordan
Evaluation and Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this webquest, learners will be able to:
| Knowledge | Skills | Attitudes |
| · fundamental knowledge on leadership styles · fundamental knowledge of information search tools · basic knowledge of presentation techniques · fundamental knowledge of time management · fundamental knowledge of teamwork rules and procedures |
· make use of effective communication · identify the different characteristics and types of leadership · research, gather and organize information · communicate an idea by means of a presentation or a role play |
· demonstrate critical sense in analysing a situation that is presented · demonstrate autonomy and responsibility in the execution of tasks · contribute to achieving the team’s goal |
Conclusion
Teamwork is the process of working collaboratively with a group in order to achieve a goal and using individual skills to provide a constructive feedback despite any personal conflict between individuals.
With this challenge, you have the opportunity to develop your leadership knowledge, and at the same time you can understand your natural role in the context of teamwork. It is essential to the best performance of a team, that each of its members knows what role to play. This ability is of major importance to achieve your common goal successfully.
We are not all leaders, but we can be good team players and improve our interaction with the other team elements, boosting the desired results.
“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others” - Bill Gates
With this challenge, you have the opportunity to develop your leadership knowledge, and at the same time you can understand your natural role in the context of teamwork. It is essential to the best performance of a team, that each of its members knows what role to play. This ability is of major importance to achieve your common goal successfully.
We are not all leaders, but we can be good team players and improve our interaction with the other team elements, boosting the desired results.
“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others” - Bill Gates
