Merriam-Webster defines a leader as a “person who has commanding authority or influence.” This is the definition that many accept and bring to mind when thinking of any given leader. But what does a “leader” truly mean and what differentiates between a good one and a bad one? My definition of what a leader is, is this: Natural leaders are those who comprehend and appreciate their existence and their purpose in life. True leaders are genuine and conscious of their personal beliefs and principles and are seen representing and expressing these ideals. Leaders are risk-takers who are willing to give for those they represent without expecting anything but support in return.
Under the theories discussed it is assumed that managers have the ability to choose the right kind of leadership under any situation. The issues discussed involve when and which styles of leadership should be used and applied. In this report suggestions are also made about the best style of leadership being not only one but a combination of different styles depending on the situation. In order to have a broader understanding definitions of the different styles are discussed along with organizational behaviour theories relevant to this analysis. It is also concluded that it would be inaccurate to state that participative leadership is always more effective than an autocratic style.
These variables have been and are being studied to help us in our understanding of the key essence to being a successful leader. In any case however, I believe it is helpful to define and understand the term in a basic sense to set a ground for better analysis and to dig deeper into the realms of leadership as a concept. In layman’s terms, leadership is the ability or the capacity to lead. In other words, it is the skill or the quality of being able to guide and direct a group of people. However, as stated in one of the afore-mentioned points, leadership isn’t as simple as it seems.
Leadership Leadership What makes a person a good leader? What characteristics to I have that would make me a good leader? These are questions that every person needs to ask themselves when considering leadership. There are many types of leaders with many different characteristics. Some of the characteristics include: listening skills, foresight, relationship skills, charisma, and communication.
Abstract A leader is someone who has the ability to influence followers that have the same determination and outcomes for change as they do. People build their leadership qualities through life experiences. Great leaders are able to effectively influence their subordinates. This influencing is usually done by using their authority. Most people tend to believe and trust in people in authority because they have reputation and rapport.
This creates both a challenge and an opportunity to lead. Leadership is the process of influence. Defined as such, every attempt we take to influence is an attempt to lead. As such, the need to think about power is also a critical aspect of assessing our own leadership. According to Kelleher, the purpose of including power in the discussion of leadership lies in the critical link between our potential to influence (our power) and actual success we experience while influencing (our actions and behavior).
Determine How to Best Leverage Leadership Roles Leadership is a dynamic relationship which is based on mutual influence between leaders and followers which results in a higher level of motivation and technical development as it promotes changes (McLaurin & Al Amari, 2008). Leadership roles are best determined by the individual and his way of communicating to his audience. A good leader is able to think strategically, innovatively and motivate and inspire the people to whom he is speaking. One of the most effective tools that a good leader must possess is the ability to communicate. A leader can capture the attention of the audience by communicating verbally or nonverbally, using body language and gestures as long as the audience understands the exact message that the leader is trying to send.
The key responsibilities of a team leader are: Providing structure for the team - This is associated to setting a clear vision to provide purpose, clarify roles and responsibilities, allocate tasks and set objectives. A leader can influence the team to perform their duties by explaining the vision and the importance of their role in the outcome, along with the steps or goals, needed to achieve it. The individuals will be more apt to follow if they can envision their contribution to the bigger picture. Without that perspective the team cannot accomplish its goal. Managing Time- A leader should be able to identify and differentiate between urgent and important issues.
Abstract There are several ways to be a good leader. The best way to be a good leader is to include the different types of leadership skills. Generally, one leadership style will be more dominant than the others but in the end it will work out for the best. There are different types of leadership skills and different ways to be a leader. Leadership styles are divided into three major groups those being: Authoritarian or Autocratic, Participative or Democratic, and Delegate or Free Resign.
If a leader has variety of power sources, the person can influence people’s behaviours more effectively. It’s very necessary for a leader to reward his followers, compel something, excel in skills, have the required information and