Seven Types of Frontline Team Leaders

Production and Technical Type

The production and technical type of team leaders are usually experts in their field, with high technical skills and strong accident handling abilities. However, they lack interpersonal coordination skills and often have a simple approach to work, treating people as they would machines. It is necessary for these team leaders to undergo training in interpersonal relationships and management communication.

Blind Execution Type

Team leaders of the blind execution type often lack innovation and management skills, blindly following orders without using their own judgment. They tend to have a rigid attitude and style, giving off a sense of bureaucracy. Over time, subordinates will lose respect for them, and they will evade and shift responsibility when problems arise.

Just Getting By Type

Some people reluctantly become team leaders due to their seniority and tend to just get by, letting things slide. They lack responsibility towards their work, as if the work is done for others. When superiors require a pre-shift meeting, they lead a couple of slogan chants. When there are instructions from above, they often go unimplemented. Such team leaders are merely in name and have no credibility among team members.

Model Worker Type

Model worker team leaders are usually detailed, strictly adhere to rules and regulations, lead by example, and teach through personal actions. However, they are not suitable for leadership roles. Model worker team leaders can be manipulated by subordinates, often lamenting that they are "busy from dawn till dusk." The result is that you give your time to your subordinates, and they give you their responsibilities, becoming a de facto reversal of authority. Without management training, these individuals will find it difficult to handle leadership roles.

Buddy Type

Good at establishing authority and organizing, the buddy type team leaders value brotherhood and often address team members as brothers. They tend to be emotional and act on impulse in their work, lacking principle. In essence, they have blended in with the leaders of informal groups.

Micromanagement Type

This type of team leader wants to do everything themselves, not trusting others. Unlike leading by example, micromanagement makes employees lazy. Always taking the lead, you do everything that needs to be said, done, and thought of. If you always occupy the driver's seat and don't let others touch the steering wheel, how can you train new drivers, and who will drive when you are tired? More importantly, how will you have time to think about whether you are on the right path?

Surgeon Type

Similar to a surgeon, this type of team leader manages with order, focus, and teamwork. They are clear in their handovers and fully concentrated, able to grasp the key points. In the team, sometimes no words are needed; a look or a cough is enough to understand each other's coordination. This type of team leader is the best leadership supervisor.

In summary, the first six types of team leaders generally lack satisfactory management skills and the ability to handle emergencies due to various reasons. This leads to good corporate decisions not being effectively implemented at the grassroots level, severely affecting the company's ultimate benefits and even damaging the company's good image.

Think carefully, and you will find prototypes of these team leaders around you. Remember, good managers need to cultivate many aspects. First-rate managers use other people's minds, second-rate managers use other people's strength, and third-rate managers use their own strength.