Role of a Leader in Public Services
In this task I will describe the role of a team leader, including the responsibilities they have and the skills and qualities needed. I will also consider the Uniformed Public Services find it necessary to work in teams giving examples.
Team leader role
Team leaders can be appointed in many different ways, for example through:
- Promotion
- Nomination
- Election
- Delegation
- Volunteering
Some people make better leaders than others, however, as long as someone is interested and willing, with an idea of how to communicate well, understand the needs of others, offer support and be flexible, then they have the basics to develop their leadership skills.
One example of a leader position within a uniformed public service is that of a Commanding Officer (CO). The CO is the officer in command of a military unit, post, cam, base or station. He or she has authority over the unit and is given legal powers, within the bounds of military law, to discipline and punish certain behaviour. A CO has a range of significant responsibilities with regard to the allocation of service personnel, finances and equipment. They are accountable to the higher ranks and have a legal duty of care to the team. COs are highly valued and progression within the service is awarded to the best officers who have worked their way up the ranks.
