Over the years with
advancement of technology the leadership trends have changed and will continue to do so. The recent one, as per Marshall Goldsmith we examine in broader context are, thinking
globally, appreciating cultural diversity, demonstrating technological savvy, building
partnerships and finally sharing leadership. We will discuss the ten styles of leadership in detail now.
Judging
the Personality of a leader
The
personality is one of the most important factor for any leader to be successful. One may be extrovert, and socially
acceptable, and it has been widely accepted that conscientiousness is the major
personality trait that is always associated with success. The reason being that
these people are always good at setting and working toward goals.
It is all because the dominance factor is
always linked with extrovert and they are judged to be competent and also
socially active is the factor which is considered to be the people who inspire
and motivate others.
When extroverts are considered to be best
leaders but on the other hand, introverts are known to be best bosses. They are
good listeners, thoughtful and patient.
A cool temperament personality is always
helpful for any organization as it allows any individual to be a better decision
maker even in times of emergency. A leader’s
personality has to be on active side not just passive.
In
real world, the example of Virgin chief Richard Branson of England is always quoted.
He has passed through high pressure yet maintained his cool temperament in
tough times.
The
right kind of personality helps in shaping one a leader that is bets suited to
the people working with you and for you.
Below is the URL link is for a personality
game.
Learning
style
Each
individual is different and the way everyone learns is also different. A number of styles have been researched over
the years and as per Wikipedia ‘Learning styles refer to a range of competing
and contested theories that aim to account for differences in individuals'
learning’. These theories propose that all people can be classified according
to their 'style' of learning, although the various theories present differing
views on how the styles should be defined and categorised. According to David
Kolb, the learning style works on a learning cycle of four stages, these are Reflector,
Theorist, Pragmatist and Activist.
In
the Reflector principle, one always ponders, experiences and observes. Then
comes the process of seeking data and considering it, then postponing the decision
making until all
Information is collected
and finally it watches and listens before offering an opinion.
In
the second theorist cycle, one approaches problems using vertical analysis, follows
step by step approach, Pulls together disparate fact into coherent theories,
then seeking perfection, and disliking uninformed decision-making.
The
third style, Pragmatist is more on displaying how to practical solve a problem and
employing decision-making skills and finally looking at the problems as opportunities.
Then acting quickly and confidently to implement ideas, as also disliking open-ended
discussion.
In
the fourth cycle, an activist acts first
, considers the consequences later and focus on what is going on at present and
tries to solve the problems by brainstorming and finally takes challenges as it
comes.
Below
is URL link to learning style game
Goal
Setting
The
Goal setting for any leader is one of the most arduous task and it is the strategic
decision which finally pays off. However ‘Tom on leadership’ has given good
inputs on managing the goal setting. There are SMART and HARD goals. Like for
example,
S means Specific – The
goals that are expressed so clearly that one can visualize the outcome.
M means Measurable – The goals
expressed in a way that can be measured.
A means achievable – The
goals requires only those external supports, tools, that you already have or
can easily get.
R means Realistic –The
Goal requires only those internal skills and abilities that you already have,
or are willing and able to get.
T means Time-Bound – The
goals expressed with a deadline for accomplishment.
The goal setting for a group
calls for much greater accountability.
HARD
Goals
When it comes to more effective than smart
goals, says Mark Murphy of the book HARD Goals are goals that are HARD and they
take advantage of the way the human brain is wired:
H means Heartfelt – The
goals that connect (like losing weight) with something you care about a lot . The stronger the positive emotional pull you
feel toward accomplishing the goal, the more effective the goal is in
motivating behavior.
A means Animated – The
goals create a moving 3-D image in your head of the end result. People who draw pictures of themselves as
skinny, says Mark Murphy, are three times more effective at losing weight.
R means Required – The
goals attach a sense of urgency, Convincing yourself into seeing the results
coming immediately and the work happening later.
D means -Difficult – The
goals embrace As Jim puts it , “will make something of you to achieve it.” When a goal forces us to grow our skills, or
our knowledge, or our character, the accomplishment of that goal feels ten
times better.
Below is URL link
Group
work and roles
A
leader has to be effective while performing group tasks and assigning roles to
everyone so as to get the maximum output. We can divide the group work such as,
Creative tasks, giving attention to tasks, development of group social skills,
language support, size of the group and role of a leader.
Group
work must be creative and apply the concepts and skills which should not be the
same done earlier, rather something new. The leader must strive to get joint attention
to the task, such as engaging them in productive group work, and the group's
body language and attention must be one hundred percent at task. A leader must try to develop the group social
skills, and to reach at some consensus, and must learn how to disagree with one
another, providing convincing argument to persuade others, offer opinions. A leader will have to use the common and
simple language to communicate ideas which must be accepted in a uniform manner
in the group. The work to be allotted to the group must not be very very big
rather maximum five and minimum three could be ideal.
In
the group roles, the following are of real importance. When a leader initiates suggests new goals or ideas and clarifies
key issues, pertinent values, promotes greater understanding through examples
or exploration of implications, pulls together ideas and suggestions, keeps
group headed toward its stated goal, testing the group’s accomplishments with various criteria
such as logic and practicality, documenting discussion and outcomes.
Then
a leader has to also perform dual function of a responder by accepting and
praising various points of view, through reconciliation or humour, finally helps
resolve conflict if any. and encouraging
all group to participate.
url:
http://www.businessballs.com/freeteambuildingactivities.htm#team-building-games-exercises-activities
Leadership
theory versus leadership style
The
basic idea of Leadership theory is to focus on finding out what makes
successful leaders excel in what they do. Actually a leadership style is one of
many examples covered under the leadership theory. Leadership style aims is to
focus on the traits and behaviors of leaders. One of the famous theory named Path-Goal model
is a theory based on specifying a leader's style or behavior that best fits the
employee and work environment in order to achieve a goal (House, Mitchell,
1974). The goal is to increase your employees' motivation, empowerment, and
satisfaction so they become productive members of the organization.
Leadership
theories focused primarily on specific characteristics and behaviors of
leaders. Different patterns of leadership behavior are observed and then
categorized as leadership styles. Practicing managers tend to be the most
interested in researching this particular theory because with it leaders have
the ability to alter their style based on the beliefs, values, preferences and
culture of the organization they work for. There can be numerous examples of leadership
Style, for example, an organization interested in how decisions are made may
define leaders as either being autocratic or democratic. Another organization
may have more interest in how leaders handle situations and choose to define
them as being charismatic, participative, situational, transactional,
transformational, quiet or servant-like.
URL-
Human
behaviour
A
successful leader has to be a good human being and good human behaviour account
for one of the best trait of an effective leader. The hierarchy of needs is
known by most people as the tool for human
nature and the needs that are met during their lifetime depending on
circumstances and life choices. It is important that someone who leads should
take care of themselves first and make choices in their life that directly
affect them in either positive or negative ways. They are aware how to overcome
any obstacles pertaining to the situations they get into.
Various
factors that account for Human behaviour in any leader are such as . A person
who wants to lead has to possess qualities that are selfless and without
judgement. Leaders often fail because they do not see the perspective of others.
In the various theories , Theory X &
Theory Y is applicable in many cases. Theory
X is more controlling and the needs are to one person, the one who runs the
show, such as the boss. Someone who leads this way can potentially drive people
away and not have much benefits. Theory Y is a much more approachable and most
people thrive well in this type of environment with rewards. They are able to
perform much better and are happier in their workplace, which in turn leads to
profits
Everyone
craves for good life, income, wants and needs,
such as a home, a vehicle, a good paying job. These are often big goals
for most and sometimes are not met easily. This theory is definitely something
that would provide results because of how it relies on reward. A person is more
focused and motivated to do something that they will be recognized and then
rewarded for.
Communication
Communication
and leadership go hand in hand and is vital for any leader to succeed. Organizations
need leaders who can do more and more in order to succeed in today's complex
environment. They need frontline leaders with strong interpersonal skills who
can get things done by mobilizing and engaging others. In the Twelve Absolutes
of Leadership, by Gary Burnison, A leader’s communication is connection and
inspiration – not just transmission of information. Communication is critical
for building alignment and executing strategy. It says, it is the most challenging leadership
skills because it is so easy to say, but not so easy to do. He has quoted the effective communication in
beautiful words that ‘Effective communication is far more than a one-way street
that starts with the leader’. Communication is the leader’s “information
highway”; it flows freely in both directions and in every circumstance – in
good times and, especially, in challenging ones’.
A leader is actual the message given as he
convey what an organization wants to send across various quarters. Because a
leader has to share all the information, which might be critical to the best
judgement of so that it does not harm the organizations interests. A leader has to inspire others through your
words and actions. As Ahrendts says.
“The sign of a great leader is knowing what you know and knowing what you don’t
know.
Even the tone of message, body language facial expression, all become part of one’s
communication as if leader is confident, and showing signs of optimism, the
message is well understood by the audience.
Motivation
A leader has to be role model for others to
bring motivation which is the essence. Various researches have been done in
this regard but the moot point of each one is to become example for others. A
leader has to set a standard so that it becomes a real motivation for others to
follow setting standards that others follow.
Thus a key leadership
characteristic is to set high standards of accountability for themselves and on
others as a leader is generally followed by their actions.
In the Motivational leadership, it is the law
of indirect effort. According to this
law, most things in human life are achieved more easily by indirect means
rather than by direct means. On can easily
become a leader to others by demonstrating that one has the qualities of
leadership, than by ordering others to follow one’s directions.
As
Confucius said, “He who would be master must be servant of all.” The person who sees himself or herself as a
servant, and who does everything possible to help others to perform at their
best is practicing the highest form of “servant leadership.” Thus a great
motivational leader. A today’s leader is
one who asks questions, listens carefully, plans diligently and then builds
consensus among all those necessary for achieving the goals. A leader is a person who gets things done by
helping others to help themselves. Thus
leaders set the example and act as the role model. And they expect others to
do. One can become a motivational leader by motivating oneself which can be
achieved by striving toward excellence and committing yourself to becoming
everything that one is capable of becoming.
The
Importance of Work Life Balance
A
leader of any organization has to give priority to making perfect balance
between work and other life, which if done, can help in giving better output.
Some of the key points can be discussed here, as described by Tim Kehl, the
work life balance expert, we need to prioritize. We can begin by following track
of one’s time, meaning keeping a time log of everything you do for one week,
including work-related and personal activities. Then make a list of your top
priorities at work and at home, thus setting specific goals.
By
listing priorities and turn them into concrete and measurable goals. It is
often said that successful leaders plan their work and then work their plan. A leader need sot establish boundaries thus
specifying fair and realistic limits on what you will and will not do both at
work and at home. One must clearly communicate
these boundaries to your supervisor, coworkers, partner and family.
The
health related factors also take number one priority for any leader and he has to
give it number one priority. One has to
be in good shape physically, mentally, and emotionally. Then eating healthy
meals, exercising regularly and having a sound sleep. Then maintaining good
relationships in family, with friend’s greatest source of inner satisfaction.
Then making time for one’s own self, may be recreational activity and going to
church, temple in order to drawn inner
inspiration helped in maintaining a good
life work balance. Finally leaving work at work and not taking it home and we
have to work smarter not harder.
url:
What
differentiates a Leader from a Manager?
In
real life, a manager is the one who directs and while a leader is considered one
who has a great following. Various experts
and corporate experts always give their opinion on this aspect. As underlined by Ronaldvesteefer, one of the
columnists a manager focuses on process and procedure, a leader focuses on
people, a manager administrates while a leader envisions. A manager maintains
while a leader develops. A manager measures projections while a leader projects
measures. A manager ensures that things are done right. A leader ensures that the right things are
being done. A manager ensures that rules are followed while a leader empowers
and inspires innovation. A manager deals in detail. A leader deals in possibility.
Judging
from various onions, we can concluded that followers look to managers for
tasks, they look to leaders for purpose.
Followers look to leaders for a vision of their destination, they look
to managers for the road map that tells them how to get there. The most effective leaders employ managers
who know how to build the best road map. As Roosevelt, T says, ‘The best leader
is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and
self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.’
Interestingly when someone says Boss, the mind
immediately designs the picture of a fellow with a finger-pointing attitude.
Today, even with the introduction of open-culture, working of some bosses are not liked . On the
other hand a leader is a person who grows with the team, who believes in being
the part of the change and always ready to wear the hat of the subordinates.
