Leadership

Ask the students to write down a definition what they think Leadership is ?

Leadership is the art of organising the work to be done, and motivating people to achieve objectives.

Ask the students to write down what they think the key skills of leadership are

1. Organisational Ability

2. Delegation

3. Energy and Enthusiasm

4. Man-Management

5. Tact

6. Self-Discipline

7. Communication

8. Decision-Taking

9. Motivation

10.      Integrity

Some of these Leadership Skills will be inherent in a Person’s personality and character, others will need to be developed through training and experience.

Leadership in Practice - Typical Skills of a Managing Director

1. Leadership – able to motivate others and develop team spirit

2. Good Communicator

3. Able to draw different departments together to work effectively

4. Recognises Key Issues and focusses attention on them

5. Able to formulate alternative solutions to problems

6. Diplomatic, demonstrates fairness and strength in the face of conflict

There are 5 main styles of Leadership these being

A.           Autocratic :  Leaders are Authoritative and expect unquestioning obedience to orders with no opportunity for employees to be involved in the decision-making process. The group tends to be dependent on the leader and is usually unable to operate independently. This can quite often lead to frustration because it stifles people’s initiative and relies upon the qualities of the leader to work successfully.

B.           Democratic : Leaders believe in consulting employees and allowing them to share in decision-making. This participation help’s to increase workers’ job satisfaction, morale and commitment to the organisation’s objectives. It relies, however, on good communications, is usually time consuming and can lead to the undermining of management control.

C.          Bureaucratic : Or constitutional leaders manage by acting in accordance with the ‘rule book’. Thus there is little opportunity for workers’ initiative and flexibility but what is expected of them is always clear and consistent.

D.          Paternalistic : These type of Leaders are common in Japan. They manage by showing concern for workers’ welfare in return for loyalty and hard work.

E.           Laissez-Faire : Leaders set clear objectives for subordinates and then allow them, within very broad parameters, the freedom and responsibility to achieve the objectives. The style of leadership motivates enthusiastic workers but its success is dependent upon the competence

       and integrity of employees.