A multitude of research has been conducted over the years as to the validity of the assumption that leadership does make a difference in the performance of an organization. While performing this same research an opinion was also formed on the contrary, that leadership does not make a difference.
As a personal reflection on workplace performance during my career, I am of the opinion that leadership absolutely does make a difference. As a former active duty soldier in the United States Army, I would argue that it stands as one of the most important factors that exist within a structured organization such as the military. I have had the opportunity to serve under great leaders and some that could be considered poor leaders. The fact stands
…show more content…
Substitutes for leadership, leadership irrelevance and complexity theory are the three major arguments that each provide examples as to why leadership does not matter. Substitutes for leadership such as intrinsic satisfaction, computer technology, professional norms and closely knit teams of highly trained individuals, may deem leadership as unnecessary. Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor of organizational behavior at Stanford University, theorizes that the each situation must be carefully analyzed and that factors that are outside of the leader’s control have a much larger impact than the role of a leader. Lastly, complexity theory holds that leaders can do little to influence the outcome of a complex organizational system and that forces outside of the leaders control are what determines an organizations …show more content…
Consider for example the conclusion of the Duke University study stating that leadership actions can indeed affect performance if the leader is considered to be responsible and inspirational. In my opinion, this single fact highlights that leadership not only matters but that it also matters who is leading. J. Richard Hackman and Ruth Wageman, were on point when asking the question, under what conditions leaders make a difference. Perhaps the example of the U.S. Military is an example of one of these conditions in which leadership does make a
The topic of leadership has been explored and written about by thousands of authors who are considerably more qualified than I am to write about the subject. However, I’ve always maintained that developing, evolving and articulating one’s own leadership philosophy is an essential part of a professional’s growth. Through academics and experience, I’ve concluded that leadership is a “soft” skill, more art than science, and that leadership principles can be universally applied. As a topic of discussion, leadership can be ambiguous and seldom does everyone agree on a single definition. Organizations and the people they consist of crave leadership, even if not overtly. Undeniably, strong leadership is essential to achieving
“On leadership” was written by John W. Gardner (The Free Press, New York, 1990). He used seventeen chapters to explain and describe essential components for the leadership should be in a successful organization. This book not only has significant influence now, but also for the future. Below are my understanding about this book, which was divided into two parts. For the first part, I will pick up some perspectives which influence me most from this book. For the second part, which is my comments and critique about this book.
A walk through the business section of any major bookstore and you'll count dozens of titles which include the word 'leadership'. A quick internet search of "leadership" turns up over 19 million hits. The classic big name leaders throughout history, Lincoln, Thatcher, King, Welsch, frame a story within which we all play a part, affected each and every one of us. We have each had some kind of deeply personal experience of leadership, positive or negative, either as followers or as leaders ourselves.
In the military we look for leadership in different forms from many people starting from the Private to the Commander of the unit. Leadership will build the trust of a unit through positive moral or it could break a unit with low morale. Leadership as the ability to influence a group toward the achievement of a vision or set of goals (Robbins & Judge, 2009). I as Soldier I get to observed leaders at their job and
Our leadership in this world has changed and affected us greatly. Leadership is being about to lead an organization with many people and to have control in the right way. “ The Leader of the Future” a book by Peter F. Drucker gives us information on why and how it is to be such a great leader. We need better leaders and we need them to guide us and help us along the way. Without leadership, our world would be in such danger and we America would be going through a lot.
Leadership at times can be a complex topic to delve into and may appear to be a simple and graspable concept for a certain few. Leadership skills are not simply acquired through position, seniority, pay scale, or the amount of titles an individual holds but is a characteristic acquired or is an innate trait for the fortunate few who possess it. Leadership can be misconstrued with management; a manager “manages” the daily operations of a company’s work while a leader envisions, influences, and empowers the individuals around them.
Leadership can be defined in many ways, but one thing all leaders have in common is determination to get a task done. Although leaders may carry out this action in many different ways they all do what needs to be done in order to reach their goal. Florence Nightingale was willing to gather a group of women and pick up and leave her home to tend to the wounded soldiers of the Crimean War.
The role of leadership can impact an organization performance in many ways. Excellent leadership can propel a company to the fortune five hundred list. For Example, Harpo Incorporated Oprah Winfrey’s company is a successful business that has made billions of dollars over the years. The business consists of several different entities such as the Oprah Show, Oprah Winfrey Network, and The Dr. Phil Show to name a few. This could not have been accomplished with a weak or uneducated leader. Many years ago I heard her give advice to the Williams Sisters. The a...
The Webster Dictionary defines leadership as an office or position, the capacity to lead, the act or an instance of leading (Merriam-Webster, 2011). Leader is defined as; a person who directs a military force or unit, a person who has commanding authority or influence (Merriam-Webster, 2011). The Army defines leadership as the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization. (Department of the Army, 2006 pg 1-2)
Within leadership, there is the opportunity for many issues in itself. Leadership styles and practices, one of the most vital aspects determining productivity in organizations, is truly what sets the standard for every level of management within a company. If a proper leadership style is not chosen and followed to lead a team within an organization, there will be no one to follow and the team will certainly not be successful. The repercussions of poor leadership will certainly make a drastic difference in a company. This can include the needs of not only employees, but
Leadership is the action of leading a group of people or an organization. Leadership is leading a group of people or company to reach a result or further and the organization. A leader is supposed to be an example of how all employees are expected to act and what they should be striving for. Good leaders also don’t use their position within a company to take advantage of the company and its employees. A good leader is supposed to be able to perform their job with high standards, efficiency, and honor. However, for every good leader, there are bad leaders and the worse the leader the more detrimental he or she becomes to employees and the company they run. Poor leadership skills can ultimately ruin a company 's chance of success. The attitude
Does leadership make a difference? One could venture to say that the answer depends on the perspective of the leader or the organization. This is a question that often irked me when it comes to professional sports. A team has a poor season and the coach is fired. For example, former Eagles coach Andy Reid will lead the Kansas City Chiefs to the playoffs this year while his replacement, Coach Chip Kelly, was fired last month by the Eagles (Ducey, 2015). From the organization’s perspective, it would appear that leadership had a significant impact on organizational performance. Eagles CEO stated that he “spent the last three seasons evaluating the many factors involved in our performance as a team. As I watched this season unfold, I determined
Leadership is trait that is extremely important in any society. Leadership is known as the way people attempting to make a difference in a situation. However, I believe that it is better said to be a way of influencing others actions. Leadership is usually connected to a great leader that affected his or her followers in a dynamic way. Throughout the semester for my leadership class, I have expanded the knowledge in numerous ways. I now have fully understanding of the purpose and process of leadership to a society. Being a leader one must maintain an image of being the role model. I believe that this is leader should be who is someone who has the ability to influence, encourage, listen, and nurture. They are able to inspire, stimulate, persuade, shape, and have an effect on others.
Leadership, without doubt, is a significantly important function of management. It helps to aggrandize efficiency and to fulfil an organization’s goals. Leadership is the ability of a manager to induce the subordinates to work with confidence, determination, courage and zeal. It is also defined as ability to influence a group towards the realization of a goal. Leaders should have the capability of developing future visions, and to drive the organizational members to want to attain the visions. This paper states my points in which I duly believe, justifies the importance of an outstanding leader in any organization.
Many people associate leadership with a specific job title or form of power within an organization. However, through personal experience, I have concluded that leadership can come in many forms and position as well as from multiple sources of roles and job titles both with and without power. Based on the definition of leadership, anyone can be considered a leader as long as they have the ability to influence people to achieve a particular result or goal which benefits the organization or group as a whole. Individuals with a secure sense of self and understanding, acceptance of diversity within an organization tend to be the strongest leaders that not only make others want to follow, but they also encourage other leaders to gravitate to their