BY GOURAV KHULLAR ECE 2(2910249)
Definition
The meaning of a message is the change which it produces in the image. — Kenneth Boulding in the Image: Knowledge in Life and Society
Before
we get started, let’s define leadership. Leadership is a process by which a
person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the
organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. This definition
is similar to Northouse's (2007, p3) definition — Leadership is a process whereby
an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.
Leaders
carry out this process by applying their leadership knowledge and skills. This is called Process Leadership
(Jago, 1982). However, we know that we have traits that can influence our
actions. This is called Trait Leadership (Jago, 1982), in that it was once
common to believe that leaders were born rather than made. These two leadership
types are shown in the chart below (Northouse, 2007, While leadership is learned, the skills and
knowledge processed by the leader can be influenced by his or hers attributes
or traits, such as beliefs, values, ethics, and character. Knowledge and skills contribute
directly to the process of leadership, while the other attributes give
the leader certain characteristics that make him or her unique. Skills, knowledge, and attributes make the Leader,
which is one of the:
Four Factors of Leadership
There are four major factors in leadership
Leader
You must have an honest understanding of who you are, what you
know, and what you can do. Also, note that it is the followers, not the leader
or someone else who determines if the leader is successful. If they do not
trust or lack confidence in their leader, then they will be uninspired. To be
successful you have to convince your followers, not yourself or your superiors,
that you are worthy of being followed.
Followers
Different people require different styles of leadership. For
example, a new hire requires more supervision than an experienced employee. A
person who lacks motivation requires a different approach than one with a high
degree of motivation. You must know your people! The fundamental starting point
is having a good understanding of human nature, such as needs, emotions, and
motivation. You must come to know your employees' be, know, and do
attributes.
Communication
You lead through two-way communication.
Much of it is nonverbal. For instance, when you “set the example,” that
communicates to your people that you would not ask them to perform anything
that you would not be willing to do. What and how you communicate either builds
or harms the relationship between you and your employees.
Situation
All situations are different. What you do in one situation will
not always work in another. You must use your judgment to decide the best
course of action and the leadership style needed for each situation. For
example, you may need to confront an employee for inappropriate behavior, but
if the confrontation is too late or too early, too harsh or too weak, then the
results may prove ineffective.
Also note that the situation normally has a greater
effect on a leader's action than his or her traits. This is because while
traits may have an impressive stability over a period of time, they have little
consistency across situations (Mischel, 1968). This is why a number of
leadership scholars think the Process Theory of Leadership is a more
accurate than the Trait Theory of Leadership.
Various forces will affect these four factors. Examples of forces
are your relationship with your seniors, the skill of your followers, the
informal leaders within your organization, and how your organization is
organized.
Principles of Leadership
To help you be, know, and do, follow these eleven
principles of leadership (U.S. Army, 1983). The later chapters in this Leadership guide
expand on these principles and provide tools for implementing them:
1.
Know yourself and
seek self-improvement - In order to know
yourself, you have to understand your be, know, and do,
attributes. Seeking self-improvement means continually strengthening your
attributes. This can be accomplished through self-study, formal classes,
reflection, and interacting with others.
2.
Be technically
proficient - As a leader, you must know
your job and have a solid familiarity with your employees' tasks.
3.
Seek responsibility
and take responsibility for your actions -
Search for ways to guide your organization to new heights. And when things go
wrong, they always do sooner or later — do not blame others. Analyze the
situation, take corrective action, and move on to the next challenge.
4.
Make sound and
timely decisions - Use good problem
solving, decision making, and planning tools.
5.
Set the example - Be a good role model for your employees. They must not
only hear what they are expected to do, but also see. We must become the
change we want to see - Mahatma Gandhi
6.
Know your people
and look out for their well-being - Know
human nature and the importance of sincerely caring for your workers.
7.
Keep your workers
informed - Know how to communicate with
not only them, but also seniors and other key people.
8.
Develop a sense of
responsibility in your workers - Help to
develop good character traits that will help them carry out their professional
responsibilities.
9.
Ensure that tasks
are understood, supervised, and accomplished
- Communication is the key to this responsibility.
10.
Train
as a team -
Although many so called leaders call their organization, department, section,
etc. a team; they are not really teams...they are just a group of people doing
their jobs.
11.
Use the full
capabilities of your organization - By
developing a team spirit, you will be able to employ your organization,
department, section, etc. to its fullest capabilities.
The Process of Great Leadership
o
Challenge the
process - First, find a process that you
believe needs to be improved the most.
o
Inspire a shared
vision - Next, share your vision in words
that can be understood by your followers.
o
Enable others to
act - Give them the tools and methods to
solve the problem.
Model the way - When the process
gets tough, get your hands dirty. A boss tells The road to great leadership
that is common to successful leaders:
o
others what to do; a
leader shows that it can be done.
o
Encourages the
heart - Share the glory with your
followers' hearts, while keeping the pains within your own.
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