do's and don'ts of effective team leadership

As the economy shows gradual signs of improvement, businesses are relying on key staff members to help them take advantage of emerging opportunities. Professionals who work to develop their leadership skills will be in the best position to assist their employers and advance in their careers.

But just because you've done great work as a team member, don't assume you're automatically prepared to be a superb team leader. There are right and wrong ways to approach leadership. Here are a few tips to help you effectively lead project teams - along with some pitfalls to avoid:

TEAM LEADER DO'S:

* Act as facilitator. Team leadership is less about supervising than it is about encouraging all members to contribute fully. Think of yourself as a motivator and facilitator, rather than a boss.

* Seek support from the top. You'll never be able to gain the confidence of your team if you don't first secure management's agreement on basics such as the group's mission, resources and deadlines. Confirm these and other fundamental issues before your first meeting so you can confidently kick off the initiative and answer questions that may arise.