Unit 1 - Introduction To Leadership
Unit 1 - Introduction To Leadership
Unit 1 - Introduction To Leadership
Introduction to Leadership
Dr.Yogananthan
Learning Outcomes
Define leader and explain the difference between mangers and leaders Discuss the qualities that characterize charismatic leaders Describe the skills that visionary leaders exhibit Explain the specific roles of effective team leaders Summarize the conclusions of various theories of leadership
Leader
May Have Managerial Authority and Influence Others
Chapter 10
Definitions of leadership.
"Leadership" according to Alford and Beatty "is the ability to secure desirable actions from a group of followers voluntarily, without the use of coercion". According to Chester I Barnard, "It (leadership) refers to the quality of the behaviour of the individual whereby they guide people on their activities in organized efforts". According to Terry, "a leader shows the way by his own example. He is not a pusher, he pulls rather than pushes". According to Koontz and O'Donnell - Managerial leadership is "the ability to exert interpersonal influence by means of communication, towards the achievement of a goal. Since managers get things done through people, their success depends, to a considerable extent upon their ability to provide leadership".
In the words of R.T. Livingston - Leadership is "the ability to awaken in others the desire to follow a common objective". According to Peter Drucker - Leadership "is not making friends and influencing people i.e., salesmanship. Leadership is the lifting of man's vision to higher sights, the raising of man's performance to higher standards, the building of man's personality beyond its normal limitations". According to Louis A Allen - "A leader is one who guides and directs other people. He gives the efforts to his followers a direction and purpose by influencing their behaviour".
Roles .
1. Leadership implies the existence of followers: We appraise the qualities of leadership by studying his followers. In an organization leaders are also followers for e.g.:- Supervisor works under a branch head. Thus, in a formal organization a leader has to be able to be both a leader as well as a follower, and be able to relate himself both upward and downward. 2. Leadership involves a community of interest between the leader and his followers: In other words, the objectives of both the leader and his men are one and the same. If the leader strives for one purpose and his team of workers work for some other purpose, it is no leadership. 3. Leadership involves an unequal distribution of authority among leaders and group members: Leaders can direct some of the activities of group members, i.e., the group members are compelled or are willing to obey most of the leader's directions. The group members cannot similarly direct the leader's activities, though they will obviously affect those activities in a number of ways.
4. Leadership is a process of Influence: Leadership implies that leaders can influence their followers or subordinates in addition to being able to give their followers or subordinates legitimate directions. 5. Leadership is the function of stimulation: Leadership is the function of motivating people to strive willingly to attain organizational objectives. A successful leader allows his subordinates (followers) to have their individual goals set up by themselves in such a way that they do not conflict with the organizational objectives.
6. A leader must be exemplary: In the words of George Terry - "A Leader shows the way by his own example. He is not a pusher, he pulls rather than pushes". From the above explanation it is clear that a leader must set an ideal before his followers. He must stimulate his followers for hard and sincere work by his personal behaviour. In other words a leader must set an exemplary standard before his followers. 7. A Leader ensures absolute justice: A leader must be objective and impartial. He should not follow unfair practices like favouritism and nepotism. He must show fair play and absolute justice in all his decisions and actions.
Functions
To take the initiative: A leader initiates all the measures that are necessary for the purpose of ensuring the health and progress of the undertaking in a competitive economy. He should not expect others to guide or direct him. He should lay down the aims and objectives, commence their implementation and see that the goals are achieved according the predetermined targets. He identifies group goals: A leader must always help the group identify and attain their goals. Thus, a leader is a goal setter. He represents the organization: A leader represents the organization and its purpose, ideals, philosophy and problems to those working for it and to the outside world .In other words, leaders is true representative of the entire organization.
He acts as a arbitrator: When groups experience internal difference, whether based on emotional or intellectual clashes, a leader can often resolve the differences. He acts as an arbitrator to prevent serious group difference. To assign reasons for his action: It is a delicate task of leaders to assigns reason to his every command. He has to instruct things in such a way that they are intelligible to all concerned and their co-operation is readily forthcoming. To interpret: He interprets the objectives of the organization and the means to be followed to achieve them; he appraises his followers, convinces them, and creates confidence among them.
To guide and direct: It is the primary function of the leader to guide and direct the organization. He should issue the necessary instructions and see that they are properly communicated. To encourage team work: A leader must try to win the confidence of his subordinates. He must act like the capital of a team. He manages the organization: Last, but not the least, he administers the undertaking by arranging for the forecast, planning, organization, direction, coordination and control of its activities.
Leadership styles
The Manager makes decision and announces it: It is an extreme form of autocratic leadership whereby decisions are made by the boss who identifies the problem, considers alternative solutions, selects one of them and then reports his decision to his subordinates for implementation. The Manager sells his decisions: It is a slightly improved form of leadership wherein the manager takes the additional step of persuading the subordinates to accept his decision. The Manager presents his ideas and invites questions: There is greater involvement of the employees in this pattern. The boss arrives at the decision, but provides a full opportunity to his subordinates to get fuller explanation of his thinking and intentions.
The manager presents a tentative decision subject to change: Herein the decision is tentatively taken by the manager but he is amenable to change and influence from the employees. The manager may present the problem, get the suggestions and then take his own decision: Herein sufficient opportunity is given to the employees to make suggestions that are coolly considered by the Manager. The Manager may define the limits and request the group to make a decision: A manager of this style of management lets the group have the right to make the decision. The subordinates are able to take the decision to the limits defined by the manager. The Manager may permit full involvement of the subordinates in the decision making process: It is often designated as 'Democratic' leadership.
Leadership skills
(a) Human skill (b) Conceptual skill (c) Technical skill and (d) Personal skill.
Technical skills
Interpersonal skills
Conceptual skills
Human skills
Empathy Objectivity Communication skills Social skills
Interpersonal Skills
6. Motivating others
Personal Skill
Intelligence Emotional maturity Personal motivation Integrity Flexibility of mind
Personal Skills
2.Managing stress
1.Developing Self-awareness
3. Solving Problems creatively Using the rational approach Using the creative approach Fostering innovation in others
Determining values and priorities Identifying cognitive style Assessing attitude toward change
Conceptual skill
In the words of Chester Barnard -"the essential aspect of the executive process is the sensing of the organization as a whole and the total situation relevant to it". Conceptual skills include -
(a) The understanding of the organization behaviour, (b) Understanding the competitors of the firm, and (c) Knowing the financial status of the firm.
Technical Skill
A leader should have a thorough knowledge of, and competence in, the principles, procedures and operations of a job. Technical skill involves specialized knowledge, analytical skill and a facility in the use of the tools and techniques of a specific discipline. Technical competence is an essential quality of leadership.
Importance of leadership
1. Leadership is the process of influencing the activities of an individual or a group towards the achievement of a goal. 2. An effective leader motivates the subordinates for higher level of performance. 3. Leadership promotes team - spirit and team - work which is quite essential for the success of any organization. 4. Leadership is an aid to authority. A leadership helps in the effective use of formal authority. 5. Leadership creates confidence in the subordinates by giving them proper guidance and advice.
1- Trait Perspective
5-Romance Perspective
Leadership Perspectives
2-Behavior Perspective
4-Transformational Perspective
3-Contingency Perspective
1- Trait Perspective
Leadership Traits: represent the personal characteristics that
differentiate leaders from followers. Historic findings reveal that leaders and followers vary by - intelligence (Emotional intelligence) - dominance - self-confidence - level of energy and activity (Drive and Leadership motivation) - task-relevant knowledge - Honesty and Integrity
Contemporary findings show that - people tend to perceive that someone is a leader when he or she exhibits traits associated with intelligence, masculinity, and dominance - people want their leaders to be credible - credible leaders are honest, forward-looking, inspiring, and competent
1- Trait Perspective
Gender and leadership
men were seen as displaying more overall and task leadership and women were perceived as displaying more social leadership. - women used a more democratic or participative style than men, and men used a more autocratic and directive style than women - men and women were equally assertive - women executives, when rated by their peers, managers and direct reports, scored higher than their male counterparts on a variety of effectiveness criteria Past evidence that women rated less favorably than equivalent male leaders due to stereotyping
Recent evidence that women rated more favorably than men, particularly on emerging leadership styles (coaching, participating)
2 - Behavior Perspective
Ohio State Studies identified two critical dimensions of leader behavior. 1. Consideration: creating mutual respect and trust with followers 2. Initiating Structure: organizing and defining what group members should be doing
University of Michigan Studies identified two leadership styles that were similar to the Ohio State studies - one style was employee centered - and the other was job centered
Blake and Moutons Managerial Grid represents four leadership styles found by crossing concern for production and concern for people
2 - Behavior Perspective
People-oriented Behaviors
Showing mutual trust and respect Concern for employee needs Desire to look out for employee welfare
Task-oriented Behaviors
Assign specific tasks Ensure employees follow rules Push employees to reach peak performance
3 4 5
(5,5)
6
7 8
(1,1)
(9,1)
1
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Chapter 10
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5 4
Low
1
5,5 Organization Man Management Adequate organization performance possible through balancing the necessity to get out work with maintaining morale of the people at a satisfactory level 9,1 1,1 Authority-Obedience Impoverished Management Efficiency in operations results Exertion of minimum effort to get from arranging conditions of required work done is appropriate work in such a way that human to sustain organization membership elements interfere to a minimal degree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Low
High
3 - Contingency Perspective
Fiedlers Contingency Model
Performance
Moderate II
Unfavorable V Poor High Strong VI Poor High Weak VII Poor Low Strong VII Poor Low Weak
Good
High Strong
Good
High Weak
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Path-Goal Contingencies
Employee Contingencies Skill/Experience Locus of Control
Directive Supportive Participative Achievement low external low external high internal high internal
Environmental Contingencies
Task Structure Team Dynamics
Participating S3 Share ideas and facilitate in decision making Delegating S4 Turn over responsibility for decisions and implementation
Low High R4
Selling S2 Explain decisions and provide opportunity for clarification Telling S1 Provide specific instructions and closely supervise performance
High Low R1
Low
Leader-Directed
3. Healing 4. Awareness
7. Foresight
Authentic Leadership
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Confident Hopeful Optimistic Resilient Transparent Moral / ethical
7.
8.
Future oriented
Associate building
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Tripartite: (Michigan)
Task oriented behaviour Relationship oriented behaviour Participative Leadership
Quadruple: (Likert)
Exploitive authoritative Benevolent authoritative
Laissez-fair
Consultative
Participative
4 - Transformational Perspective
Transformational leaders Leading -- changing the organization to fit the environment Develop, communicate, enact a vision
Transactional leaders Managing -- linking job performance to rewards Ensure employees have necessary resources Apply contingency leadership theories
.
Building Commitment
Creating a Vision
Transformational Leadership
Modeling the Vision Communicating the Vision
Visionary Leadership
Express the Vision Extend the Vision
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Self-confidence
Extraordinary behavior
A compelling vision
Charismatic Leadership
Image as a change agent
Prentice Hall, 2000 Chapter 10
Strong convictions
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Summary
Reference
Fiona Elsa, The leadership- pocketbook.
Bolden et al,
a review of leadership theory and competency frameworks, University of Exeter, June 2003.
Bill Miles, analysis of leadership theories, Web article, pdf version. Tom Peters, workshop on leadership, Web article,ppts. Basic Ideas of Management and Leadership, Lecture presentation, IOWA university, Feb-2005.