In any successful business, a good leader will have invested significant amounts of time selecting and building an efficient team; one that he values and treats well. In return, team members work diligently to reach objectives and achieve the goals of the company. One thing that makes this system work consistently is the teams' efforts to lighten the workload of the leader in such a way as to allow him more time to focus on other business demands. Here are 5 ways that you and your team can help to lighten your leader's load.

Make sure your own job is done well.

Doing your own job well is the first way you can help to make your manager or team leader's job a little easier. Not only is your job one less thing for your boss to worry about, it also can free up some of your time that you can then devote to helping your team leader in whatever way possible.

Don't just identify a problem; try to provide a solution!

It's easy to come to your manager with all kinds of problems. What's often more difficult is to also provide a solution! Simply dumping problems on a leader's desk is not only frustrating for him, but it also creates more work. When your goal is to lighten your leader's role, you should at the very least be ready to offer some suggestions as to how you might be able to fix the problem.

Stand Up and Stand In.

A good leader always values the support of his team, and the team must likewise offer support in return. Not everyone in the company will agree with the manager's views and visions. A helpful team member can win support by standing up for what the leader is trying to accomplish. Also, no manager can be everywhere at once, so be prepared to stand in for your manager as needed. Do what you can, wherever you can.

Do a little more than is asked

Never be satisfied with just doing the minimum amount that is asked of you. Going the extra mile can not only make a huge difference to your manager's workload and the company's success, it can also make you stand out in the crowd. Your efforts will undoubtedly be recognized and rewarded, advancing you in your journey to personal success.

Make honesty your first policy.

Managers and leaders get plenty of feedback every day; some of it useful, but more often than not it is meaningless. To be truly helpful, tell your manager what he needs to hear, not what you think he wants to hear. This won't always be easy, and will take courage on your part. It may even take some time for your approach to be accepted, but a good leader will appreciate your honesty and will eventually come to trust you and seek your opinion.