CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF TEAM LEADERSHIP IN CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL RESEARCH

Abstract

The article presents an extended theoretical and methodological analysis of the phenomenon of leadership and team leadership in the context of contemporary psychological and pedagogical research. The evolution of scientific views on leadership is examined—from personalistic concepts and trait theory to situational, functional, and distributed models. The transition from an individualistic leadership paradigm to a team-oriented one is substantiated, reflecting transformations in organizational and educational systems under conditions of digitalization and increasing complexity of the professional environment. A distinction is made between the concepts of “leader” and “manager,” and the socio-psychological characteristics of a team as a specific form of joint activity are analyzed. Based on the analysis of domestic and international studies, approaches to defining a team are systematized, its structural and functional features are identified, and the main types of teams are characterized. Particular attention is paid to the functional approach to leadership, with an emphasis on the cognitive, motivational, affective, and coordination functions of a team leader. The significance of the developmental and coaching components of team leadership in educational and managerial practice is substantiated. The article concludes that team leadership and team coaching have high theoretical and practical significance as key factors in the effectiveness of modern organizations and professional teams.