Attributes of a Good Leader 42| April <strong>2019</strong>|
<strong>The</strong> Art of Lead<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Leaders</strong>hip is about us<strong>in</strong>g the power of a position <strong>to</strong> empower a group of people <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> atta<strong>in</strong> a common goal. A leader’s task is <strong>to</strong> implement the plans that usually look good on paper, through a delegated team, <strong>in</strong> a specific time with an ongo<strong>in</strong>g motion. She/he may use the traditional method or may th<strong>in</strong>k out of the box. It depends on the leader as how <strong>to</strong> do it; the ultimate motive is <strong>to</strong> get the job done. Although, each and every <strong>in</strong>dividual has a different approach on leadership, some might say it is about sett<strong>in</strong>g examples, some might say it is about shar<strong>in</strong>g the authority; what matters is, tak<strong>in</strong>g the right decision when it is most needed. <strong>Leaders</strong>hip varies from one organization <strong>to</strong> another. An organization is a dynamic body and creates new probabilities every now and then. And with new probabilities, come new challenges. Although, it is impossible <strong>to</strong> overcome every challenge, the bus<strong>in</strong>ess environment has adopted certa<strong>in</strong> leadership styles for the efficiency of bus<strong>in</strong>ess: <strong>The</strong> Participative Leader Participative <strong>Leaders</strong>hip is the process of shar<strong>in</strong>g authority with the work force <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> get optimum efficiency. <strong>The</strong> team, after gett<strong>in</strong>g access <strong>to</strong> certa<strong>in</strong> powers, works responsibly <strong>to</strong> accomplish the goals set by its leader. <strong>The</strong> shared leadership also helps <strong>in</strong> case of any requirement of change, as the employees adapt quickly <strong>in</strong> such environment. Incidentally, this style of leadership fits best <strong>in</strong> a scenario when there is a limitation of time. <strong>The</strong> Transformational Leader A transformational leader <strong>in</strong>spires the team through effective communication and an <strong>in</strong>tellectual environment. However, these <strong>in</strong>dividuals require more detail oriented managers <strong>to</strong> successfully implement their strategies. Transformational <strong>Leaders</strong>hip is considered among the most effective employees of the organization. One of the examples of this type of leadership is when a leader is assigned on a higher level for effective environment. <strong>The</strong> Transactional leader <strong>The</strong> transactional leadership, as the name suggests, enables the leader <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>centivize the team correspond<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> their performance. <strong>The</strong> team gets rewarded when it atta<strong>in</strong>s the goals and the Leader has the power <strong>to</strong> review the results and act accord<strong>in</strong>gly when the team fails <strong>to</strong> do the same. <strong>The</strong> goals and the strategy <strong>to</strong> atta<strong>in</strong> them are decided by the leader and the team itself. <strong>The</strong> Situational leader Situational leadership is a theory that the best leader will adapt <strong>to</strong> the required leadership style accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> need of the hour. A Situational leader may adopt democratic style while discussion bus<strong>in</strong>ess with senior executive, but may switch <strong>to</strong> transactional at the time of team review. However every <strong>in</strong>dividual has a natural style of leadership and it may be difficult <strong>to</strong> switch roles at a certa<strong>in</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t of time. Qualities of a good leader <strong>The</strong>re is an old proverb that says, “Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man <strong>to</strong> Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.” So is the case with leadership. One of the basic qualities of a Leader is <strong>to</strong> pass on the leadership skills. Follow<strong>in</strong>g are some of the qualities of a good leader: Ÿ Communication Skills Communication is the basic requirement for efficiency <strong>in</strong> a bus<strong>in</strong>ess. As the level of hierarchy elevates, the requirement of communication grows. Especially, when it comes <strong>to</strong> leadership, there is no scope for lack of communication. A Leader who fails <strong>to</strong> develop this skill is looked up as <strong>in</strong>competent, because it is his job <strong>to</strong> send the message loud and clear. Although, it is also important <strong>to</strong> listen as it is an <strong>in</strong>tegral part of communication. Ÿ Integrity C.S. Lewis said, “Integrity is do<strong>in</strong>g the right th<strong>in</strong>g, even when no one is <strong>watch</strong><strong>in</strong>g.” Be it giv<strong>in</strong>g credit <strong>to</strong> one of the team members or be it admitt<strong>in</strong>g a mistake, a leader wears <strong>in</strong>tegrity as a badge of honor. <strong>The</strong>y do what is right, no matter what. Ÿ Empowerment As mentioned earlier, <strong>Leaders</strong>hip is about us<strong>in</strong>g the power of one’s position <strong>to</strong> empower a group of people <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> atta<strong>in</strong> a common goal. A good leader shares his authority with the team <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> get the job done. By do<strong>in</strong>g this, he shows confidence <strong>in</strong> the team and obliged by the gesture, the team works with full enthusiasm <strong>to</strong> accomplish the goal. Ÿ Decision mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>The</strong>re is risk <strong>in</strong> decision <strong>to</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g. Great leaders take great decisions when the stake is high and it is the success of those decisions that make them great. To add up, a good leader takes right decision at the right time. In conclusion, a good leader can be def<strong>in</strong>ed by the dynamics of his style <strong>in</strong> leadership, the values that he br<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>to</strong> the organization, the methods he uses <strong>to</strong> make the best of the resources, and the k<strong>in</strong>d of decision he makes <strong>in</strong> the given situations. At the end it is about the attitude of an <strong>in</strong>dividual <strong>to</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g the change for good. | April <strong>2019</strong> |43