Leadership has been described as a “complex process having multiple dimensions” (Northouse, 2013). Over the past 60 years, scholars and practitioners have introduced a vast amount of leadership models and theories to explain this complex field and examine its many perspectives. Numerous leadership theories and models have attempted to define what makes a leader effective. From the early 1900s, the trait paradigm dominated leadership literature, focusing on inherited traits of leaders and suggesting that “leaders are born, not made”. However, during the 1950s, the trait approach lost enthusiasm as focus shifted to the behavior of leaders. Similar to the trait theory, the behavioral paradigm was based on general effective leadership behaviors
Throughout life one faces many situations therefore coming into contact with a variety of different people, in turn making relationships that one can learn from. It is from the opportunities we have working with others that we form our own personal leadership traits. There are many different leadership styles and over the course of the many opportunities that I have to serve as a leader, I have not only developed, but formed my personal leadership style. In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell explores laws that include aspects of leadership such as laws that can be learned, laws that stand alone, and laws that carry consequences, but all are the foundations of leadership. As a past and present leader of a variety of
Throughout The Truth About Leadership; The No-Fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Poser, they discuss the ten truths in regards to leadership and how they impact an individual to become an effective leader. These truths are concepts that can be actively applied to current organizations. By applying these truths to an individual’s organization, it can improve the leadership quality from within and as a whole. Besides the application to an organization, the ten truths compiled by Kouzes and Poser can be used to improve yourself and your leadership skills, whether it be in your personal life or career.
The theory believes that a leader is a servant to those he or she leads. And that a leader should focus on serving others rather than being served. The servant leader creates an environment of trust and cooperation, which results in reciprocal service and ultimately higher performance. Much of Jesus’ approach to leadership used this model.
“Leadership will be the most important resource an organization can possess. After all, it will be leadership that determines whether organizations successfully harness the emerging opportunities and overcome the perils that await.” Jay A.Conger – Professor, London Business School.
Although, there are some leaders who are born “natural-born leaders” many must learn the skills to become a successful leader. Every leader has natural strong traits as well as weak areas that need improving. A leader becomes stronger while using their natural talents as well as building on their weaker ones.
Leadership is defined as the action of guiding an individual or group of people. Effective leaders shape the behavior and thought process of the individuals around them. As a result, the success of an organization is often impacted by the leadership style and approach of its leaders. Even when engaging with multiple people, impactful leaders maintain their own style of leadership but occasionally change their approach based on the motivational needs of each individual. However, regardless of the style, leadership within an organization is designed to drive the performance of their employees and it is done through proficient communication. This guidance influences the culture of an organization, which subsequently, helps to shape its leaders.
“Leadership is the quality of behavior of individuals whereby they guide people or their activities in organising efforts” — Chester I. Barnard
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.
Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge is an organizational management book written by Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus for those who aim to become better leaders. The authors emphasize that having executive positions or being a manager does not automatically make one a leader. A leader is one who inspires his staff, help them find purpose in their work, and effectively implement their plans. They separate the book not quite into chapters on different topics, but rather by four strategies that they have determined are vital for any leader to take on. The strategies are effectively concluded as attention through vision, meaning through communication, trust through positioning, and the deployment of self. A prominent feature of Leaders is the various
“In order to be a good leader, there are two things to remember. Lead from the Front and always set the Example. From these two leadership principles, everything else will fall into place.”
The most effective leaders know better than to try to be someone they are not. They should always be searching for opportunities to reinvest in their strengths. Leaders need to stay true to who they are and make sure they have the right people around them. The book says those who surround themselves with similar personalities are at a disadvantage to those who are secure enough to be surrounded by people who strengths will compliment theirs.
Although there are many outstanding, albeit necessary qualities of a good leader, it is the leader’s beliefs in which greatness is given its first breath, fostered by action, and spread throughout the institution. A great leader believes in encouraging, not destroying; in setting the precedence instead of yielding to prominence ; in collaboration, not division; in giving, not taking; and in having high standards and volunteering to be the first of many to be held to them. A great leader does not take advantage of the people being lead, but instead, creates an advantage for the people by giving them the opportunities to lead. Only when people take ownership of an institution will passion be cultivated, action be taken, and greatness be achieved.
A leader accomplishes this level when they have performed consistently, obtaining desired results, for an extended period. People hold the leader in high regard and defer their ultimate respect for the leader. This level is difficult to accomplish and Maxwell, (2013) reminds us that most leaders rarely accomplish this level. Holst, (1999) describes this stage of leadership, saying this is a leader who has enhanced their spiritual, physical, mental and moral faculties to their highest degree possible resulting in the development of integrity (p.
Currently, many articles, academic publications, and books have been written on issues relating to leadership. This trend is so widespread that it has become difficult to point out the global values or mannerisms linked to a truly efficient leader. However, some names speak for themselves, as the work they have done is significantly efficient and felt all over the world. Bill Gates of the Microsoft foundation is one of the best leaders and businesspersons of this century. Using the huge diversity in his personal traits and qualities in management, he has managed to portray in the workplace, he can be defined as a great leader. When a person embarks on the role of leading others, whether in parenting, social settings, sporting the world or even in the business sector, they strive to show characteristics and behaviors that go hand in hand with values and standards required to win people over. This having been said; it is rather unfortunate that there are few efficient leaders in the business world today. Most managers are not good or effective leaders. Leadership is everywhere and is a key path in daily life prevailing in every aspect of the society. Leadership is not a choice since, at one point; one is required to be a leader. The only choice lies on how we choose to execute leadership. Just as Bill Gates has done, leading efficiently involves engaging the followers in a common aim and pursuing compulsory vision known to all. For a successful career as a leader, one needs to have characteristics of tolerance, inclusion, patience, self-drive, ability to improve and most of all the ability to convince others around you to share in the dream and vision. Bill Gates key personal attributes include ability to interpret, analyze, and exh...