Leadership is an art, and it’s no longer just about how loud you speak or how confident you are. Whether you lead an office full of employees or a virtual team that spans time zones and continents, great leaders are essential to a company’s success. This is especially true in today’s business environment, where teams are more collaborative than ever before.

The way a leader manages this collaboration affects the outcome of the work, as well as how the group interacts and how they feel about it. There are various leadership theories, from traditional methods to more agile approaches, but no matter what approach you take, there are a few key characteristics all leaders should have.

1. They Know Their People

A top-notch team leader Jason Hare understands the people in their charge. They understand that their team members each have unique backgrounds, aspirations, and challenges, and they make a point of recognizing them. They also understand that every person has their own preferred method of communication. That’s why a good team leader makes sure there are multiple channels of communication available to their team and takes the time to train everyone on them.

2. They Keep Their Team on Track

A strong team leader knows how to keep their team’s projects on track and ensures everyone is working at an appropriate level of intensity. They do this by openly communicating with their team, making it clear what the goals are and how each individual’s work fits into those bigger picture objectives. They also keep tabs on their team’s workload, ensuring that no one is burning out or overburdened. This can be done by simply asking how their day-to-day work is going in team meetings and 1:1s.

3. They Encourage and Support Their Team Members

Lastly, a great team leader encourages their team members to reach their full potential by providing opportunities for growth. This can be through learning new skills, taking on more challenging assignments, or even promoting them to higher positions within the company. They will also make it a point to help their team members get the rest they need by offering flexible schedules and addressing any other personal needs.

Being a team leader requires a lot of skill sets. It’s important to remember that, at the end of the day, it’s not about the tasks you complete or the products you produce. It’s about the team you build and the relationships you forge along the way. Keeping these tips in mind will help you be a better team leader and create the right work environment for your team.