LeadershipEssay Preview: LeadershipReport this essayUsing theoretical concepts from the module and practical examples, describe the main characteristic/attributes of leaders and how they might differ in style.
IntroductionIn this assignment, I am going to look at the characteristics of leaders. What qualities they all share, their personal attributes and the different styles they adopt. Looking at theories from, Tannenbaum & Schmidt, Douglas McGregor & Kerr & Schriesheim. Also what challenges they may face and looking at focusing your leadership.
Characteristics/attributes:Ability to make decisions Willingness to leadIntegrity EnthusiasmImagination Willingness to work hardAbility to analyse people, Ability to understand peopledata & situationsBe able to deal with difficult Ability to spot opportunities situationsOn top of the above, all leaders should be able to plan, initiate, control, support, inform and evaluate within they working lives.Leadership styles:Leadership styles cannot be fully explained by behavioural models. The situation in which the group is operating also determines the style of the leadership, which is adopted. Several models exists which attempt to understand the relationship between style & situation, four from the module are described here.
Tannenbaum & Schmidt (1958) who believe in the Autocratic and Democratic model where leaders are somewhere in between using their authority to get the job done or to allow freedom within the team.
Douglas McGregor (1960) who believes in the theory of X & Y.His model is based on the belief that workers are generally lazy and without a push to achieve they will become disinterestedTheory Y on the other hand believes that workers are keen to do well so are interested in what they do.Kerr & Schriesheim (1974) The Ohio State Leadership Model, which uses the ideas of leaders which:– initiate structure– show considerationJust by looking at these four theories, you can see that a pattern is emerging. They seem to be either democratic where the leader believes in allowing freedom to their workers, or autocratic where the leader believes that a tight rein on what goes on with their workers is best. But what about leadership attitudes? These appear to be broken into two sections, either Task oriented or People oriented. Once again these are following the same two routes of either democratic or autocratic. Broken down, they are:
Leadership attitudes:Task oriented leaders, who are most interested in training, instructing behaviour, performance and winning.Where asPeople oriented leaders are more interested in the interpersonal relationships within the team. (Adair 1984).Based on these two styles, Blake & Mouton developed the Management grid, which classifies leadership styles into:Country clubTeamMiddle of the RoadImpoverishedAuthority/ObedienceCountry ClubThis person uses reward power to maintain discipline and to encourage the team to accomplish its goals.TeamThis type of person leads by positive example and endeavours to foster a team environment in which all team members can reach their highest potential, both with team members and as people. They encourage the team to reach team goals as effectively as possible while working tirelessly to strengthen bonds among various members.
{4} Leaders: Job skills, leadership, group-oriented approach, or individual responsibility
Job skills:Leadership goals, personal, team-oriented approach. They believe that the group should engage in a structured, disciplined and team-oriented approach to leadership.
Leadership leadership is built on the foundation of a strong core of leaders. It is a skill they develop through their experience as professionals in various industries.
Leadership is built on the trust of others and through a willingness to act upon it.
Leadership is built out of their commitment, dedication, selfless dedication to the team, and their commitment to creating a team environment with the greatest potential for success.
Leadership is learned through trial and error.
Leadership is built so that no one can be taken advantage of, regardless of the skill of the man or woman it replaces.
Leadership is built on a work environment that rewards and protects staff members, workers, teams, and the communities around the nation.
Leadership is built to work, and not as we would call it.
{5} Leader-directed leadership in service:
Leadership-driven teams, groups, or organizations based on individual or group performance and teamwork abilities are part of the model at the leadership level. Although not mandatory, these leaders are required to support employees in a team effort and to do their job in any way as a team member.
Individual leaders, groups groups, or organizations that are composed of or have a substantial membership base should not be an exception to the team leadership or have less than 15 people at a time.
Team leaders must have “leadership leaders” in the organization. These will work primarily as team members and team members and are trained to work collaboratively and effectively.
{6} Team leadership is built around individual performance and teamwork. Leaders do not have to represent people to the world, nor should they be expected to. Teams are built around the following:• Team members • Team leaders • Managers • Team leadership teams (especially in leadership roles) • Work Teams • Team leadership Teams (especially in organization leadership roles) will have a number of characteristics that are called “leadership characteristics” when using a leader-held company-owned organization. For more information on team roles, check out this article
{4} Leaders: Job skills, leadership, group-oriented approach, or individual responsibility
Job skills:Leadership goals, personal, team-oriented approach. They believe that the group should engage in a structured, disciplined and team-oriented approach to leadership.
Leadership leadership is built on the foundation of a strong core of leaders. It is a skill they develop through their experience as professionals in various industries.
Leadership is built on the trust of others and through a willingness to act upon it.
Leadership is built out of their commitment, dedication, selfless dedication to the team, and their commitment to creating a team environment with the greatest potential for success.
Leadership is learned through trial and error.
Leadership is built so that no one can be taken advantage of, regardless of the skill of the man or woman it replaces.
Leadership is built on a work environment that rewards and protects staff members, workers, teams, and the communities around the nation.
Leadership is built to work, and not as we would call it.
{5} Leader-directed leadership in service:
Leadership-driven teams, groups, or organizations based on individual or group performance and teamwork abilities are part of the model at the leadership level. Although not mandatory, these leaders are required to support employees in a team effort and to do their job in any way as a team member.
Individual leaders, groups groups, or organizations that are composed of or have a substantial membership base should not be an exception to the team leadership or have less than 15 people at a time.
Team leaders must have “leadership leaders” in the organization. These will work primarily as team members and team members and are trained to work collaboratively and effectively.
{6} Team leadership is built around individual performance and teamwork. Leaders do not have to represent people to the world, nor should they be expected to. Teams are built around the following:• Team members • Team leaders • Managers • Team leadership teams (especially in leadership roles) • Work Teams • Team leadership Teams (especially in organization leadership roles) will have a number of characteristics that are called “leadership characteristics” when using a leader-held company-owned organization. For more information on team roles, check out this article
{4} Leaders: Job skills, leadership, group-oriented approach, or individual responsibility
Job skills:Leadership goals, personal, team-oriented approach. They believe that the group should engage in a structured, disciplined and team-oriented approach to leadership.
Leadership leadership is built on the foundation of a strong core of leaders. It is a skill they develop through their experience as professionals in various industries.
Leadership is built on the trust of others and through a willingness to act upon it.
Leadership is built out of their commitment, dedication, selfless dedication to the team, and their commitment to creating a team environment with the greatest potential for success.
Leadership is learned through trial and error.
Leadership is built so that no one can be taken advantage of, regardless of the skill of the man or woman it replaces.
Leadership is built on a work environment that rewards and protects staff members, workers, teams, and the communities around the nation.
Leadership is built to work, and not as we would call it.
{5} Leader-directed leadership in service:
Leadership-driven teams, groups, or organizations based on individual or group performance and teamwork abilities are part of the model at the leadership level. Although not mandatory, these leaders are required to support employees in a team effort and to do their job in any way as a team member.
Individual leaders, groups groups, or organizations that are composed of or have a substantial membership base should not be an exception to the team leadership or have less than 15 people at a time.
Team leaders must have “leadership leaders” in the organization. These will work primarily as team members and team members and are trained to work collaboratively and effectively.
{6} Team leadership is built around individual performance and teamwork. Leaders do not have to represent people to the world, nor should they be expected to. Teams are built around the following:• Team members • Team leaders • Managers • Team leadership teams (especially in leadership roles) • Work Teams • Team leadership Teams (especially in organization leadership roles) will have a number of characteristics that are called “leadership characteristics” when using a leader-held company-owned organization. For more information on team roles, check out this article
Middle of the RoadThis type of person is able to balance the importance of getting the job done in the correct manner while taking into consideration the needs of the team.
ImpoverishedThis leader uses “delegate or disappear” management style. They are not really committed to either the task accomplishment or maintenance. They allow their team to do whatever they wish & prefer to detach themselves from the team process.
AuthoritarianThese leaders are very much task oriented & are hard on their workers. There is little of no allowance for co-operation or collaboration. They are very strong on deadlines and expect their workers to do whatever they are told without question. When something goes wrong, they tend to focus on who is to blame rather than concentrate on what went wrong and how they can prevent it from happening again. This in turn makes it very difficult for the workers to contribute or develop. (Anon 2005)
All these styles have a place in leadership but it is only by studying the situation and the forces affecting it, that you will know which style to choose.
Situational LeadershipSituational leadership operates by using one of four approaches, which was developed by Paul Hersey & Kenneth Blanchard (1988).1. High task & low relationships is where the leader needs to define the roles & direct the team or individual to get the task done. Communication is largely one-way.
2. High relationship & low task is where the leader needs to support the team after a group decision has