Team leader duties focus mainly on accomplishing work goals through others. The leader supervises a team of workers who report to him or her. The team leader represents, supports and is responsible for the work of these employees; he or she typically reports to a manager or other person with a higher rank in the company. Job descriptions for team leaders typically include training, informing, supervising and evaluating a group of employees to complete tasks or projects.

Like all types of managers and supervisors, team leaders must motivate and inspire their group to work in the best interest of the company. The objectives a team leader receives from his or her boss must be achieved by the group working together as a whole. The leader takes the ultimate responsibility for the team's performance, whether it's favorable or unfavorable. It's in the leader's best interest to make sure every team member is contributing and working to his or her fullest potential.

Constantly working to build the team and create good productivity by having members work together rather than as individuals is a necessary group leader duty. Team leaders must always strengthen group relationships by building trust and respect between the members. When team members have worked with each other successfully on projects and received the help, cooperation and support needed, a strong, productive workplace group can result. A good team leader encourages and rewards not only positive project outcomes, but also the successful collaboration of his or her group.

To reward their group of workers on occasion, leaders may take them out for a team appreciation lunch or other special activity. Such rewards can strengthen the team bond as well as make the members feel appreciated. Team leaders spend a great deal of time following up to make sure progress on workplace tasks and projects is sufficient. They also often must pitch in and work alongside their team if members need help or someone is out sick.

Team leaders typically hold regular meetings — especially at the start and middle of projects. A team leader gives clear directives and instructions, but also usually asks for ideas and suggestions from members. Combining ideas from members with his or her own vision for a project is a common task for many team leaders. Regular performance reviews of team members are often done by the group leader. Although members are often spoken to individually in such reviews, the leaders must evaluate their work performance in the scope of being part of a team.