Leadership
The successes or failures of a given society greatly depend on the quality of its leaders. Parents and tutors need leadership skills to better manage their home. Children need it to succeed in whatsoever they do. Enterprises, local communities as well as countries need leadership skills in order to better define responsibilities and help channel efforts to achieve planned objectives.
According to John C. Maxwell, a “leader is the one who knows the way, and shows the way.” It involves the ability to persuade others to seek defined objectives enthusiastically. A good leader is one who is able to materialize an idea or a project. In society, he/she may be; imposed, formerly appointed, chosen informally, or emerge naturally. Irrespective of the way he/she emerges, a good leader must possess the following qualities:
- Honesty and integrity;
- Self-confidence and believe in his/her team;
- Inspire teammates;
- Be committed and passionate;
- Be a good communicator;
- Be good in decision-making;
- Be accountable;
- Delegation of duties and empowering some teammates;
- Be creative and innovative;
- Be emphatic.
- Ways of developing leadership skills
- Practice discipline
Developing good discipline in personal and professional life is a habit necessary to adopt to become a good leader. This is because our life style inspires others to be disciplined. Society judges a person’s ability to lead by his/her lifestyle and his/her discipline in exercising different activities. This includes meeting up with deadlines, respecting appointments and being time-conscious.
- Take more responsibilities
Another great way to ameliorate leadership skills is to take on more responsibilities. Even though it is encouraged, it is important not to take more responsibilities than one can handle. This may seem difficult as it involves stepping out of a comfort zone; however, it does not only permit to obtain additional skills, but it also permits to be noticed by others.
- Motivate others
A good leader should be able to motivate and inspire others. This habit can be developed by constantly encouraging people in society. Develop the habit of Inspiring and Motivating family members, friends, neighbors, classmates and colleagues. When a teammate needs a guidance or encouragement, it is important to provide it.
- Develop situational awareness
A god leader is one who sees the bigger picture and is able to anticipate problems before they occur. This skill is important to better handle complex projects with tight deadlines. It helps to recognize opportunities and threads that others neglect.
- Keep learning
Learning helps to develop the brain as well as refresh skills. The thirst to acquire knowledge is a recommended way to become a good leader. Knowledge acquired open doors for new challenges and helps improve problem-solving skills.
- Learn to follow
An effective leader has no problem handing power to another person. Learn to feel less threatened by contrary opinions. Develop the attitude of listening and that of accepting contrary opinions and criticisms. Develop the habit of giving merit where needed (though not easy especially after the leader has been greatly criticized) because it will permit others to feel valued and respected. Giving merit will encourage teammates to stand up for the leader in times of difficulties.
- Be a good listener
An essential character trait that characterizes effective leaders is the ability to discern. Develop the habit of listening to [positive] ideas, suggestions and feedback wherever you are. Make decisions while considering all propositions (it does not mean implementing all suggestions) as it helps in taking decision. Develop the habit of not only laying emphasis on verbal communication, but also to nonverbal communication (body language) as well.
- Resolve conflicts
In order to be good in conflict resolution, develop the habit to be a good observer and listener, always working toward peace and harmony in the family and local community and not taking side. In school or job sites, develop the habit of ameliorating interpersonal conflict within reach, with to hope that the conflict will disappear. This is done by speaking to those in conflict privately before putting them together. In case this method does not work, it will be wise to seek advice for other methods.
- Practice discipline
- Importance of leadership
Leadership is important because it helps to:- Initiate action.
- Act as a source of motivation.
- Provide guidance.
- Create confidence.
- Build morale.
- Build a work environment.
- Co-ordinate.
- Responsibilities of a leader
A leader has a responsibility to:- Achieve the responsibility of a group.
- Plan work and define duties.
- Channel resources where needed.
- Organize activities as well as check the performance of an assigned activity.
In so doing, the leader has to make sure that he/she motivates his/her team as well as individual members.
At the level of a team, a leader has to make sure to:
- Maintain his/her team morale and continue building team spirit.
- Make sure that the team is happy working together.
- Set communication in the group.
- Set standards and discipline within a group.
- Appoint sub leaders.
At the individual level, a good leader has to make sure to:
- Meet the needs of individual members.
- Attend to personal problems.
- Encourage each member and provide appropriate training to members.
In any work group the most effective leader is one who makes sure to accomplish his/her responsibilities and makes sure to cater for his/her team and every member at the individual level.
- Styles of leadership
- The dictatorship leadership style
This consists of forcing people to work as desired. It consists of retaining as much power and decision-making as possible. Dictatorship leadership is equated to authoritarian leadership due to the fact that it is leadership-centered. The leader does not care about the feelings of others and is more inclined toward punishment as a form of discipline rather than rewarding and wishes all activities should be carried out in his/her own way.
- The individual leadership style
Equally known as the free-reign or laissez-faire leadership, the individual style of leadership makes the presence of the leader felt but gives others freedom to make decisions. It allows people to decide and accomplish duties in whatever way they find it fit as long as their activities respect the standards.In this type of leadership style, the leader has very little authority and just watches what is going on within the organization. Responsible workers are motivated to work freely, and they determine their own goals.
- The democratic or participative leadership style
This leadership style is more popular and is people-oriented. In the situation where a decision has to be taken, all matters are discussed, and members are consulted. The leader uses the contribution of each member to facilitate decision-making.Under this leadership, everyone is aware of what is taking place. In this leadership style, teamwork is practiced to achieve results together. The leader integrates concerns for people in society alongside concerns to achieve desired objectives.
- The dictatorship leadership style
Conclusion
To be an effective leader, it is important to understand the basic concept of leadership, most especially the qualities of a good leader, the importance of leadership and how to become a good leader. A good leader is not forcibly the one who occupies a high position in society with a lot of responsibilities but is the one who is seen as a model. He/she respects promises made and most often makes a difference in accomplishing his or her assignment. He/she sets good examples for others to follow and practices honesty and integrity; in conformity to what the 34th president of the United States of America, Dwight David Eisenhower, once said “The greatest quality of leadership is unquestionably integrity.”
