A team is a group of individuals who work together toward a common objective or purpose. Teams perform functions within organizations which either cannot be completed individually or cannot be completed within a specific time frame individually. Team leadership describes the ability to influence and manage a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. Team leaders are responsible for many tasks, including establishing vision, delegating tasks, monitoring progress, motivating members, and developing a positive workplace environment. The characteristics of a good team leader include effective communication, steadfast ethics, empathy, technical expertise, and the ability to motivate others. The types of teams, and the traits, characteristics, and best practices of team leaders, are explored in this section.