Qualities involved in Being a Successful Leader

There are various models as well as theories which defines the skills and qualities of an effective leader.

Individual :

Trait Theory : This hypothesis is based on the assumption that leaders are born. Trait theory also states that an individual those who have suitable qualities as well as traits can become leaders. This theory also dictates that behavioural characteristics are common in all the larders. Traits theory also states that leaders have some specific qualities which enables them to lead . The some qualities which are highlighted by Trait theory are :

Assertiveness: It is defined as the quality of being self-assured and confident . Effective leaders are always assured and they have confidence on decision made by them. Leaders with assertive quality or skills share their opinion and by utilising such ability they influence other people for executing specific task (Rahim, 2017). Such types of leaders also respect the opinions or ideas shared by other people.

Dependability: It is considered to be as necessary trait which an individual as a leader is required to posses. This trait assist leaders in developing trust. An effective leader has sense of responsibility as well as dependability. For instance, With dependability leaders can have focus on more than one activity (Lopez and Ensari,2014). The dependability trait assist leader on getting the task completed on time. Another instance, supporting followers in completing their work will assist leader in reducing the time required for training to employees and keeps operations moving with fewer mistakes. It also assists in building unity among team members.

Persistence : Leaders with such type of trait consider failure as the temporary hurdles. In other words' leader have high potential to continue move forward. Effective leaders have high strength to accept the challenge. For instance , popular leaders like, Thomas J. Watson was conned and had no money, investment or job. Uncertain situation has happened in life of Thomas due to which he lost his money (Iqbal,2013). But still he has taken high efforts to achieve success in his career, as of a result of which Thomas J. has successfully accomplished his career objectives.

Adaptability : It is the good quality of the best leaders that they can easily adjust themselves in new environment. Adaptability is considered to be as most valuable ability.

Katz’s Three Skills Model : As per this hypothesis an effective leader posses mainly three skills these are technical, conceptual and human.

Technical skills: Knowledge of Unix/Linux Operating System , data base management system , etc. are considered to be as technical skills. Technical knowledge varies as per the nature of business operations.

Human skills: It includes the ability of an individual to work with other people. This ability enables leaders to work effectively. Example of human skills include ability to communicate, influencing power etc.

Conceptual skills: Such types of abilities assist leader in developing new ideas. For instance creativity, decision making etc.

Lewis leadership styles :

Autocratic leadership style : Leaders with this type of leading style make their own decision without consulting with other team members.

Demographic leadership : leaders with this type of style involves team members in decision making process.

Laissez-Faire : Such types of leaders allow other people to take decision on their behalf.

Contextual :

Situational approach :This concept of leadership states that there is no single style which can be used by leaders in all situation. It is required by leaders to select leadership style based on need by followers as well as demand of situation. Instance of situational leadership can be based on the following situation one is telling , in this leader defines the roles as well as responsibility of worker closely supervises them.

Contingency Model :This hypothesis states that leaders is required to change their management style based on the situation. Contingency Model also dictates that motivations are contingent upon the ability of leader to control situations.

Path Goal theory : It is required by leaders in an organisation to set the short or long term targets for their followers (Barrick and et.al., 2013). This concept states that leaders are accountable for clearing a “path" for followers , so that they can easily achieve their goals.

Relational

Servant leadership: Leader with this type of leadership approach have good listening skills. In addition to this they also have some qualities like healing, empathy, awareness and persuasion. Example of servant leader is mahatma Gandhi He acknowledges the insecurities and doubts faced by followers.

Transformational leadership: For instance, Steve Jobs is transformational leader. He is known for this various qualities such as simplicity , sophistication and perfection. With the supports of such qualities he drives the apple organisation towards achievement of success (Daft,2014). Steve Jobs has bought the transformation in an organisation by challenging his followers to develop creative thinking.

Leader member exchange theory : it is recognised as relationship-based approach to leadership which emphasizes on two-way relationship.

2.Can good leadership be developed, and if so, how?

Yes, leadership can be developed in an individual which can be achieved by practising in different aspect which leads to develop and improve it in may aspects. Some people might be natural leaders but other can develop this skill for effective leading of subordinates. It can be seen from various perspective which are discussed as below:

Individual Perspective

From the view of a single identity there are two types of characteristics which are associate with traits and skills, both are considered to be different aspect of a personality as traits are considered to be the features which are there by birth and can be regarded as god gifted whereas skills are the capabilities which are built with time or can be develop itself (Antonakis and Day, 2017). Traits are very difficult to develop as they are present in the subconscious mind of a person on the other side skills can be learnt which makes him specialised for performing better.

Some of the leadership traits which are already developed in a person and known to be a born leader . Some of these traits are discussed as below:

1. Self managing- Not every individual can manage things in life effectively. Some people are good in managing every task which are involved in professional as well as personal life effectively and it is well said that a good leader is also an effective manager.
2. Acting Strategically- This one of the important trait that an individual possess. His thinking procedure is very different as compared to other people as he is a forward thinker and adopts the open minded approach.
3. Good Communicator- He is known to be an effective communicator as he is very expert in expressing his views very well and can also influence other individual successfully.
4. Accountable and Responsible- He is a person who always initiate to take the responsibility and takes on account for any error or mistake instead of blaming it on other.

On the other side skills ca be develop by adopting the qualities of a leader and also practising it in daily life that leads to improve it and make it a habit and can build a leader such as ability of influencing others, keeping up of good relation with others, trying to analyse any information in a particular way for learning the importance of making effective decisions, ability of executing and delivering on time etc.

Contextual Perspective

There are many approaches of leadership which one can adopt in order to implement it effectively on the people according to the need of the Scenario (Lukina, Azadegan and Hooker, 2017). Some of the approaches are discussed as below:

Qualities or Trait Approach: In which the individual adopts their inherited traits to solve the situation and control the subordinates.

Functional Approach: According to this approach person can develop skills of leadership according to the scenario and can learn effective skills which would enhance his leadership in order to control the individual.

Behavioural Styles Approach: This approach is adopted in order to focus on the behavioural aspect of people who are the subordinates and according to it they develop those attitudes and behaviour to handle them effectively.

Situational Approach: In this one leads to adopt the best style which is most applicable to the situation and would provide effective decisions. It can vary according to situations.

Relational perspective

In this for performing an effective leadership one has to develop good relation with others which is very important in order to gain the support and trust of all the followers who can even stand for any mistake and also has a faith on leader. Effective relation can be maintained by developing effective communication skills which would lead to express the feeling, thinking and beliefs of a leader to his followers while he should also be a good listener who is always ready for listening the problems, suggestions of his followers that would lead to make the relation much stronger on the basis of respect which is very important for a good control on subordinates (Smalley and et. al., 2016). Apart from this he must have a sound technical knowledge in order to enlighten their followers in a right manner.Manager is an individual, who is responsible of controlling as well as administering an organization, staff or a group. He is considered to be an in charge so as to get the set of activities and tasks to be done. There can be set of employees who can be responsible for reporting the manager. In certain company, there can be certain designated managers for each of the department who have high dependence of functions of whole of the department or team. Managers play an important role in building a bridge between senior managers and subordinates (Sutherland, 2013). He helps in translating higher level strategies and goals into certain operational plans that helps in driving the overall business. The role of manager is accountable to senior executives for the performance of subordinates who are real working hand o the company. Manager tend to support, guides and manage operational aspects of the business. There are various managerial functions that may vary from department to department. These are, hiring and staffing, coaching and initiating development of existing set of employees, conducting timely performance evaluation, monitoring performance and initiating actions according to the requirements, planning and setting future goals for the team etc.

Although, the method of handling team may vary from individual to individual, there is specific set of belief which states that a manager is appointed to manage various aspects of the business. Further, role may also vary asper functional department of the company. A manager possesses to have good as well as effective communication skills, which is inclusive of, e mail, one to one conversations, small and large group conversations, constructive feedbacks and coaching the existing and new employees of the department or team (Bush and Glover, 2012). Critical thinking aspect is also generally present with the manager, where, bigger picture of overall project can be analysed to enhance overall effectiveness. Managing projects of the business so as to ensure that adequate amount of profits and revenue can be generated out of it can also be an effective approach that is required to be adopted by an individual who aim to be a manager.

2. Difference between leadership and management

Manager is an individual, who is responsible of controlling as well as administering an organization, staff or a group. He is considered to be an in charge so as to get the set of activities and tasks to be done. There can be set of employees who can be responsible for reporting the manager. In certain company, there can be certain designated managers for each of the department who have high dependence of functions of whole of the department or team. Managers play an important role in building a bridge between senior managers and subordinates (Sutherland, 2013). He helps in translating higher level strategies and goals into certain operational plans that helps in driving the overall business. The role of manager is accountable to senior executives for the performance of subordinates who are real working hand o the company. Manager tend to support, guides and manage operational aspects of the business. There are various managerial functions that may vary from department to department. These are, hiring and staffing, coaching and initiating development of existing set of employees, conducting timely performance evaluation, monitoring performance and initiating actions according to the requirements, planning and setting future goals for the team etc.

Although, the method of handling team may vary from individual to individual, there is specific set of belief which states that a manager is appointed to manage various aspects of the business. Further, role may also vary asper functional department of the company. A manager possesses to have good as well as effective communication skills, which is inclusive of, e mail, one to one conversations, small and large group conversations, constructive feedbacks and coaching the existing and new employees of the department or team (Bush and Glover, 2012). Critical thinking aspect is also generally present with the manager, where, bigger picture of overall project can be analysed to enhance overall effectiveness. Managing projects of the business so as to ensure that adequate amount of profits and revenue can be generated out of it can also be an effective approach that is required to be adopted by an individual who aim to be a manager.

A leader is way too different from an individual who possess only the characteristics of being a manager. Leaders are generally involved in creating vision, which is quite beneficial for the company and it can also be apart from generation of profits and revenue (Doh and Quigley, 2014). However, in case of manager, he tends to indulge in preparing goals which can be highly functioning for the company. Researchers have stated that leaders hold the quality of being unique where they are self-aware and build their own differentiated personal brand. However, in case of managers, they are mimic of other who have been running to compete with each other. It has also been stated that a leader can also have the qualities of manager (Morton and et.al., 2017). However, there is less possibility that all the manager tends to posses the quality of being a leader. In this way, it can be stated that, a leader have distinguishable qualities rather than being a manager.

Leader is the person who is responsible for guiding people and motivate them to do work to achieve the objectives of organisation. The qualities of leader which are beneficial for the organisation. Leader must be having all the below qualities which are beneficiary for the org

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