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Leadership is a vital aspect of any organization, as it determines the direction and success of a company. While much has been written about leadership and its various styles, there are still some concepts that are not widely understood. Here are five things you may not have known about leadership:
- Leaders come in different flavors.
There are different types of leaders, each with their own unique style and approach. Formal leaders are those who are elected to positions of power, such as presidents and senators, while informal leaders are those who are respected due to their wisdom, experience, or expertise. Leadership styles can also vary, with different theories proposing different approaches. For example, Lewin’s three basic leadership styles are authoritative, participative, and delegative, while Goleman’s six emotional leadership styles include visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting, and commanding. - Leadership is a process of becoming.
While some people may seem to be natural leaders, leadership is a skill that can be developed and improved upon. Formal education, such as leadership seminars and workshops, can provide valuable knowledge and skills, while daily interactions with others can also provide opportunities to observe and practice leadership theories. Leadership is not a one-time event, but rather a continuous process of learning and development. - Leadership starts with you.
The best way to develop leadership skills is to start by applying them to your own life. Your actions, such as your interactions with family, friends, and coworkers, as well as your personal and professional responsibilities, all contribute to your credibility as a leader. Habits formed through repeated actions can shape your character, and books such as Steven Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” can provide valuable insights on how to achieve personal leadership. - Leadership is shared.
Leadership is not about one person taking the sole responsibility, but rather a collective responsibility shared among members of a team. Formal leadership positions are merely additional responsibilities, and effective leadership requires all team members to fulfill their roles - Leadership styles depend on the situation.
How come dictatorship works for Singapore but not in the United States of America? Aside from culture, beliefs, value system, and form of government, the nature of the situation plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of a leadership style. According to the contingency theory of leadership, the most effective leadership style depends on the situation. If the situation is favorable and the followers are competent, motivated, and have the necessary skills, the democratic leadership style is most effective. If the situation is favorable but the followers lack the necessary skills and motivation, the coaching leadership style is most effective. If the situation is unfavorable and the followers are competent but lack motivation, the affiliative leadership style is most effective. If the situation is unfavorable and the followers lack competence and motivation, the commanding leadership style is most effective. - Leaders lead by example.
Leadership by example is a powerful leadership tool. As the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.” People follow the leader who leads by example. Leading by example means living by your values, beliefs, and principles. Leading by example means taking responsibility for your actions, being honest, and being accountable. Leading by example means setting the right expectations and meeting them. Leading by example means treating people with respect and fairness. Leading by example means being a role model for your followers. - Leaders embrace change.
Leaders are change agents. They embrace change and lead their followers to embrace change as well. Change is inevitable. It is a constant in life. Leaders recognize that change is an opportunity for growth, learning, and innovation. Leaders create a vision for change and communicate it to their followers. Leaders create a plan for change and execute it. Leaders motivate their followers to embrace change. Leaders celebrate success and learn from failure.
In conclusion, leadership is a complex and dynamic concept. It is not just about holding a position or title. It is about influencing and inspiring others to achieve a common goal
