Leadership is a process by which an executive can direct, guide and influence the behavior and work of others towards accomplishment of specific goals in a given situation. Leadership is the ability of a manager to induce the subordinates to work with confidence and zeal.
Leadership is the potential to influence behavior of others. It is also defined as the capacity to influence a group towards the realization of a goal. Leaders are required to develop future visions, and to motivate the organizational members to want to achieve the visions.
Characteristics of Leadership
It is a inter-personal process in which a manager is into influencing and guiding workers towards attainment of goals.
It denotes a few qualities to be present in a person which includes intelligence, maturity and personality.
It is a group process. It involves two or more people interacting with each other.
A leader is involved in shaping and moulding the behaviour of the group towards accomplishment of organizational goals.
Leadership is situation bound. There is no best style of leadership. It all depends upon tackling with the situations.
Six Leadership Decision-Making Dilemmas:
1. Have I Defined The Problem Correctly?
To make good decisions leaders need to clearly understand the problem.
2. Do I Have All Or Most Of The Facts?
Do I have all the necessary facts to come to an accurate decision?
Should I be gathering more information?
What issues do I still feel unclear about?
What people should I reach out to?
3. Where Should I Look For Additional Data?
4. Who If Anybody Should Be Part of This Decision?
Strong leaders know that some decisions are more impactful if they involve others in the process.
Motivation is a goal-oriented characteristic that helps a person achieve his objectives. It pushes an individual to work hard at achieving his or her goals. An executive must have the right leadership traits to influence motivation. However, there is no specific blueprint for motivation.
Both an employee as well as manager must possess leadership and motivational traits. An effective leader must have a thorough knowledge of motivational factors for others. He must understand the basic needs of employees, peers and his superiors. Leadership is used as a means of motivating others.
A leader must lead himself, only then he can lead others. He must be committed on personal and professional front, and must be responsible. He must be a role model for others and set an example for them.
A leader must boost up the morale of the employees. He should motivate them well so that they are committed to the organization. He should be well acquainted with them, have concern for them and encourage them to take initiatives. This will result in more efficient and effective employees and ensure organizational success.
A leader must work as a team. He should always support his team and respect them. He should not hurt any employee. A true leader should not be too bossy and should not consider him as the supreme authority. He should realize that he is part of the organization as a whole.
