This multi-method field study examines the relative effects of two kinds of
leader behaviors-design choices and hands-on coaching-on the effectiveness
of self-managing teams. Findings show that how leaders design their teams
and the quality of their hands-on coaching both influence team selfmanageme
nt, the quality of member relationships, and member satisfaction, but only
leaders' design activities affect team task performance. Moreover, design a
nd coaching interact, so that well-designed teams are helped more by effect
ive coaching-and undermined less by ineffective coaching-than are poorly de
signed teams.