All About Leadership
leadership, you might read about:
Leading is about setting direction and ensuring that that
direction is followed. Leading can apply to leading
oneself, other individuals, groups, organizations and
societies. The nature of how leading is done depends on
the context of the situation, one one's perspective, and
on the nature and needs of those involved. There is a
rich history and body of research regarding leadership.
This module aims to make that accessible to you.
Leadership -- Very Human Activity -- and as Diverse
and Robust as any Human Activity
Many people today are seeking to understand -- and
many people are writing about -- the concepts and
practices of leadership. There are a great many reasons
for the strong popularity of the topic, including that
people, groups and organizations are faced with
changes like never before. Effective leadership is
required to understand and navigate through the many
changes.
There has been an explosion of literature about
leadership lately. Leading is a very human activity --
we're all human -- so there are many people who
consider themselves experts on leadership.
Unfortunately, many people make strong assertions
about leadership without ever really understanding a
great deal about leadership. Understanding leadership
requires more than reading a few articles or fantasizing
about what great leaders should be. The contents of this
topic aim to give the reader a broad understanding of the
background, contexts and approaches to leadership.
The reader might best be served to explore the topic of
leadership by:
1. First, by getting a basic sense of the system of
an organization, including its functions and roles,
and how they are integrated. See the topic
Introduction to Organizations.
2. Next, get a basic sense of the functions of
management (leading is one of them) and how
they are integrated in order to lead an
organization. See the topic Introduction to
Management.
3. Next, scan the topics in this topic of leadership
in order to realize that there are definitions of
leadership, different theories and models and
traits of leadership, and different domains of
leadership -- each domain requiring different
competencies or qualities in order to lead in that
domain.
4. Finally, get a sense for how your abilities in
leadership can be developed in an informal or
formal way. See the topic Leadership
Development.
Learn How to Read Literature About Leadership
Before you proceed to understand more about
Leadership Cube -- The Many Dimensions of Leadership
Guidelines to Understanding Literature About
Leadership
NOTE: Some people use the term "leadership" (the
capability to lead) to refer to governance or executive
management (both are roles in an organization). If you're
seeking information about those roles, see Chief
Executive Role and/or Boards of Directors.
What's a Leadership Theory vs. Model vs. Style?
Leadership is often explained by using these terms. In
the context of explaining leadership, the terms can be
quite confusing because they are used interchangeably.
Here's how you might think of them.
A philosophy is a broad, general belief or set of
beliefs. For example, many describe "servant
leadership" as a philosophy or practice (there's
more about servant leadership in this Library
topic).
A theory is a suggestion or speculation about
why something is occurring and it might be
based on a variety of philosophies, i.e., "when
this happens, then the following happens" or "in
this situation, the following is best to have or to
do ." For example, the traits theory suggests that
certain features are needed in someone to be a
great leader.
A model is description of how something
happens or should happen - it often is depiction
of a certain theory. For example, the Situational
Leadership Model (Blanchard and Hershey)
depicts a situational theory of leadership, and
depicts when to tell, sell, participate or delegate.
A style is the nature of how someone acts when
enacting a certain theory or model, e.g., to be
autocratic, participative or laissez-fair (hands off)
in leadership style.
DEFINITIONS OF LEADERSHIP
Definitions of Leadership
Many people believe that leadership is simply being the
first, biggest or most powerful. Leadership in
organizations has a different and more meaningful
definition. Very simply put, a leader is interpreted as
someone who sets direction in an effort and influences
people to follow that direction -- the people can be
oneself, another individual, a group, an organization or a
community.
To really comprehend the "territory" of leadership, you
should briefly scan some of the major theories, notice
various styles of leadership and review some of the
suggested traits and characteristics that leaders should
have. The rest of this library should help you in this
regard.
Leadership isnt management. This is the big one.
Leadership and management are not synonymous. You have
15 people in your downline and P&L responsibility? Good for
you, hopefully you are a good manager. Good management is
needed. Managers need to plan, measure, monitor, coordinate,
solve, hire, fire, and so many other things. Typically, managers
manage things. Leaders lead people.
So, again, what is Leadership?
Lets see how some of the most respected business thinkers of
our time define leadership, and lets consider whats wrong
with their definitions.
Peter Drucker: The only definition of a leader is someone
who has followers.
Really? This instance of tautology is so simplistic as to be
dangerous. A new Army Captain is put in the command of 200
soldiers. He never leaves his room, or utters a word to the men
and women in his unit. Perhaps routine orders are given
through a subordinate. By default his troops have to follow
orders. Is the Captain really a leader? Commander yes, leader
no. Drucker is of course a brilliant thinker of modern business
but his definition of leader is too simple.
Warren Bennis: Leadership is the capacity to translate
vision into reality.
Every spring you have a vision for a garden, and with lots of
work carrots and tomatoes become a reality. Are you a leader?
No, youre a gardener. Bennis definition seems to have
forgotten others.
Bill Gates: As we look ahead into the next century,
leaders will be those who empower others.
This definition includes others and empowerment is a good
thing. But to what end? Ive seen many empowered others in
my life, from rioting hooligans to Google workers who were so
misaligned with the rest of the company they found themselves
unemployed. Gates definition lacks the parts about goal or
vision.
Is Leading Different than Managing? (Pros and
Cons)
Traditional views of management associate it with four
major functions: planning, organizing, leading and
controlling/coordinating. However, many educators,
practitioners and writers disagree with this traditional
view.
View That Separating "Leading" from "Managing"
Can Be Destructive
Another view is that to be a very effective member of an
organization (whether executive, middle manager, or
entry-level worker), you need skills in the functions of
planning, organizing, leading and coordinating activities -
- the key is you need to be able to emphasize different
skills at different times.
Yes, leading is different than planning, organizing and
coordinating because leading is focused on influencing
people, while the other functions are focused on
"resources" in addition to people. But that difference is
not enough to claim that "leading is different than
managing" any more than one can claim that "planning
is different than managing" or "organizing is different
than managing".
The assertion that "leading is different than managing" --
and the ways that these assertions are made -- can
cultivate the view that the activities of planning,
organizing and coordinating are somehow less important
than leading. The assertion can also convince others
that they are grand and gifted leaders who can ignore
the mere activities of planning, organizing and
coordinating -- they can leave these lesser activities to
others with less important things to do in the
organization. This view can leave carnage in
organizations.
Spiritual leadership is the ability to capture the hearts of
people with a vision that is beyond the leader. God gave
leaders to inspire and cause us all to believe, gain
strength, and build on small victories. Not all leaders
have the same capacity to move people but any leader
can grow in follow-ability. I love the three C's of
leadership. They help us think practically on how to
grow.
Character - This is the engine room of the leader.
Character is developed in the "war room" of
introspection and communication with God. The spiritual
leader who spends time on their knees is cultivating the
"gift that was given". Time spent with God and his word
breeds a leader who is alert to fools and seeks out wise
counsel.
Capacity - Every great leader knows that energy is the
most valuable tool they possess. More than time, energy
is the thing that gives leaders the band width to make
decisions that are wise. Capacity must be guarded and
given to the gift of leadership before any and all other
activities. Rest, sleep, and quiet time fill the capacity
tank of any leader.
Chemistry - Leaders know who they are and who they
are not. Chemistry is the ability to bring people around
you with complementary gifting. Chemistry is ruined by
allowing people to be coddled who are in competition for
leadership. Give a competing leader a role large enough
to fulfill their own gifting or cut them lose to find their fit
elsewhere. Chemistry requires contentment with every
key player.
Organizations thrive or shrink due to leadership. It's all
about leadership...be the leader God has called you to
Leadership Characteristics
Proactive vs. Reactive
The exceptional leader is always thinking three steps
ahead. Working to master his/her own environment with
the goal of avoiding problems before they arise.
Flexible/Adaptable
How do you handle yourself in unexpected or
uncomfortable situations? An effective leader will adapt
to new surroundings and situations, doing his/her best to
adjust.
A Good Communicator
As a leader, one must listen...a lot! You must be willing
to work to understand the needs and desires of others. A
good leader asks many questions, considers all options,
and leads in the right direction.
Respectful
Treating others with respect will ultimately earn respect.
Quiet Confidence
Be sure of yourself with humble intentions.
Enthusiastic
Excitement is contagious. When a leader is motivated
and excited about the cause people will be more inclined
to follow.
Open-Minded
Work to consider all options when making decisions. A
strong leader will evaluate the input from all interested
parties and work for the betterment of the whole.
Resourceful
Utilize the resources available to you. If you don't know
the answer to something find out by asking questions. A
leader must create access to information.
Rewarding
An exceptional leader will recognize the efforts of others
and reinforce those actions. We all enjoy being
recognized for our actions!
Well Educated
Knowledge is power. Work to be well educated on
community policies, procedures, organizational norms,
be!
etc. Further, your knowledge of issues and information
will only increase your success in leading others.
Open to Change
A leader will take into account all points of view and will
be willing to change a policy, program, cultural tradition
that is out-dated, or no longer beneficial to the group as
a whole.
Interested in Feedback
How do people feel about your leadership skill set? How
can you improve? These are important questions that a
leader needs to constantly ask the chapter. View
feedback as a gift to improve.
Evaluative
Evaluation of events and programs is essential for an
organization/group to improve and progress. An
exceptional leader will constantly evaluate and change
programs and policies that are not working.
Organized
Are you prepared for meetings, presentations, events
and confident that people around you are prepared and
organized as well?
Consistent
Confidence and respect cannot be attained without your
leadership being consistent. People must have
confidence that their opinions and thoughts will be heard
and taken into consideration.
Delegator
An exceptional leader realizes that he/she cannot
accomplish everything on his own. A leader will know the
talents and interests of people around him/her, thus
delegating tasks accordingly.
Initiative
A leader should work to be the motivator, an initiator.
He/she must be a key element in the planning and
implementing of new ideas, programs, policies, events,
etc.