When it comes to management theory, Warren Bennis knows more about leadership than anyone on the planet. Warren Bennis has been studying, teaching and writing about leaders since before World War II (Miketaigman.com). Bennis is world renown for his writings and ideology in leadership, he was known as the “father of leadership” or the “leader of leaders”. One writing in particular of Bennis is his book, “Managing people is like herding cats”. This ideology of Bennis’ is a useful approach to management- “Managing people is like herding cats…and cats wont allow themselves to be herded”, helps future and present leaders with management. Bennis states that leaders mustn’t manage people; leaders should lead them. This approach to management encourages …show more content…
Follet was a writer, social worker, political theorist and an organizational consultant. Follet’s early take on modern management theory has been an influence in Warren Bennis’ writings. Bennis’ has even been quoted saying of her “Just about everything written today about leadership and organizations comes from Mary Parker Follett 's writings and lectures." (Business.com). Follet’s Theory of Management includes administrative principles such as “Genuine power is Coercive but Coactive” and “create group power, rather than expressing personal power” (The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 26(4), 467-484). More principles include having organizations as communities where individuals combine their talent for the greater good and making all employees an owner creates a feeling of collective responsibility (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(2), 354.). Follet’s administrative principles ties in with Warren Bennis’ ideology, as the leadership of employees make the administrative principles possible. Warren Bennis’ ideology “Managing people is like herding cats and cats won’t allow themselves to be herded”, explains that the fundamental administrative principles of Mary Parker Follet is why it is best to lead and not manage. Leading rather than managing, supports and encourages the employees, making them feel equal and appreciated. This results in more productive and efficient workers. Bennis’ ideology is a helpful approach to management, as shown by Mary Parker Follet’s
“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.
...ties and differences of the leadership of Steve Jobs and Fr. Jose Arizmendiarrieta that the leadership required for organisations to succeed is unique to the goals and definition of success portrayed by the leader. Their leadership styles were reflected in the organisations development and it can be seen why leadership in organisations is of such importance. What is also clear is that there is no right or wrong way to lead – Fr Jose achieved a sustainable profitable cooperative, Jobs archived a highly profitable company. The leadership practice used needs to fit the organisations vision, the needs of the stakeholders, and be ingrained into followers. The followers need to buy in to the leader’s vision and goals and play their part in implementing the steps required for success. The leader is ultimately responsible for guiding the followers along the path to success.
Leaders who fail to provide true and proper command, inspiration, motivation, and strategic vision for their company leave a battered organization. An incompetent or dysfunctional leadership team misleads others which results in poor performance for individuals and organizations, which leads to a failed business. leadership theories all help leaders to lead followers in a productive way preventing this increasing effectiveness and give leaders ways to help followers with paths to follow to reach goals for both organization outcomes as well as individuals.
“Leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes that reflect their mutual purposes” (Rost, 1931). But in today’s time, the styles of leadership are changed every time a new technology is invented or discovered so there is lack of persistency. The only thing which manages to stay constant is the principles of carrying out business activities. There are philosophies and ideologies on leadership which can be used in any time period as they are mostly a reflection of the principles of leadership. Theorists and authors like Hobbes (1679), Lewin (1947) and Aristotle (384–322 B.C.), in their time have produced enough material which can be put into use by modern day leaders and managers. Philosophers like Aristotle, who was known to be one of the most business-oriented and practical philosopher of his time, his work is still used by businesses today because of their relevance as he is interested in defining principles in terms of the ethics of leadership (Santa Clara University). In the essay I have tried to show how leadership has adapted to the changes around them and compared to the past and what circumstances caused need to change it. As a layman, anyone would think that the principles centuries ago will be very different to what we follow now but after studying on Hobbes, Lewin and Aristotle it has made a big impact on my way of thinking because the work produced by them still has more relevance compared to some of the work produced now. I have tried to explain the evolvement of leadership through three aspects which are psychology, sociology and philosophy.
Warren Bennis’ novel, On Becoming a Leader, is the book I was able to read. Bennis worked years on this novel constructing it off of one of his former creations. Finally, in Cambridge, Ma Bennis published his story by Perseus publishing. Throughout this book he centers around the search to understand exactly how leaders are made. Bennis uses a unique approach to portraying his opinion. This is not an ordinary “how to” book on becoming a leader. Nor is it an autobiography of one’s personal experience. Bennis was a teacher and student all his life, he has never run a country or even a company. Bennis is not directly reciting his own experiences as a leader. This paper outlines Bennis’ basic thoughts, theories, and his contributions to the field
Our world is filled with many successful leaders. The gift of being a leader can be learned; however some individuals have a natural born talent to be a leader. Each leader has his or her own unique leadership style. The gift of being a leader can be learned. Certain individuals are born with a charismatic style and can easily be a leader. A successful leader is one who can inspire and motivate people towards a goal. Martin Luther King Jr. was an individual with a born gift to lead people. The following paper will discuss how Martin Luther King Jr. was able to inspire and motivate people with his effective leadership style.
Transformational leadership also integrates well with a biblical worldview because both advocate valuing followers as well as leaders, the importance of ethical behavior, the need to forgive and learn from mistakes, and the value of a high moral example. Kouzes and Posner advocate leaders having a “moral authority to lead” (2007, p. 41), practicing personal accountability and working to improve all aspects of their follower’s lives. This others-centered leadership approach fits well in the Christ centered atmosphere of a Christian school.
Though a little dry to read at times, I found this book to be an excellent beginner’s guide to leadership. Although the idea of “corporate” can be a bit dull after a while, Bennis and Nanus continuously attempt to liven it up with real-life examples of their strategies put into practice. They make it clear that the strategies are not what they came up with out of nowhere, but have been determined from years of various case studies. One of my favorite aspects of the book is its ability to imbue an “I can do this!” attitude to the reader.
I have been fortunate to work with several heads of departments within a couple years of graduating college. During this time, I have worked with quality leaders and not so great ones. The quality leaders were competent, skillful and endowed with people skills. These leaders gave me the opportunity to grow and a sense of purpose. After reading The Leadership Advantage by Warren Bennis, I was quickly reminded about a former superior of mine that lacked the understanding and knowledge of what qualities a leader should have. The company also did not entertain a culture that promotes employee satisfaction.
It holds that various situations require different leadership styles to result in effective outcomes. According to this school of thought, it is the assessment of the competence, as well as the commitment of the leader’s subjects that makes the whole practice a success. As a result, a leader should access the two factors before deciding on either directive or supportive form of management.
He will be there for you when you have problems with your family and spouse, because he wants employees to be focused when they are working and not thinking about family problems.
In today’s complex management environment, I believe that the mindset of a manger weigh the same as their views and attitude on the job. Certainly, Jonathan Gosling an established scholar and the director of the Centre for Leadership Studies at the University of Exeter provide an excellent view on the diverse talent requirements in effective management. The main issue identified by the author is the connection between leadership and management. Separation of management and leadership is impractical. However not all good leaders are good managers and vice versa. Gosling, and Mintzberg (2003), argues that management without leadership promotes uninspired behavior, which hinders business activities. On the other hand, leadership devoid of management results in disconnect of actions and ideas. I concur with the author’s argument on the relationship between management and leadership. I believe that good managers should be good leaders too. However, most organizations do not enjoy both the benefits of effective leadership and management. In particular, most organizations lack either of these ...
Finally, leadership results in the followers’ behavior, that is purposeful and goal-directed which must be in some organized setting (Leadership Theories and Studies, 2009). Some people believe leadership and management are one in the same; however, this
Matthew R. Fairholm states, “Our leadership perspective defines what we mean when we say "leadership" and shapes how we view successful leadership in ourselves and others.” (Pg. )Therefore, change and modifications of desired behaviors must first stem from leadership, in order to achieve success. Follett does consider the challenges for “old-fashioned employers,” they have a difficult time transitioning and comprehending that training and employee is much different from providing orders. Therefore, these types of employers express their frustration with employees who are unable to complete tasks, when in actuality the employee is at a disadvantaged as they are not trained and new habits were not created and reinforced. Follett affirms that lack of training, is a deficiency in education. Therefore, it is crucial for leaders and employers to develop and plan ahead for modeled behaviors to gain the desired responses. Follett asserts psychology has a significant involvement because depending on the delivery of the order and how it is elicited can be the control of how responses are given
Bennis, W. & Nanus, B. (1985). Leaders: The Strategies for taking charge. New York: Harper Row.