KNOW YOUR LEADERSHIP

The word ‘Leadership’ can bring various forms to once’ mind. A political leader, pursuing constitutional powers to set up his/her policies to serve the public.  An executive, make strategies to beat the competition for the benefits of the company. A military leader commands the combatants to seek victory at the war. Religious leader will make more devotees over his religion. Even an explorer, cutting the path through the jungle to make the trail for his followers. Leadership defines different things to different individuals around the world, and different things in different situation. As an example leadership can relate to political leadership, military leadership, company/ community leadership, religious leadership, leadership in campaigning groups, etc.

However an effective leader creates an inspiring visions for the future, sets motives and inspires his team to follow the same vision. He manages to deliver the vision and builds a team to train and guide so that he can make his vision more effective when achieving. Captain of a cricket team creates an inspiring vision to win a tournament and he sets motives and inspires his team to follow that. Despite the runs captain makes at the stumps, ultimately his inspired team will follow that vision to make their victory at the end.

There are thousands of definitions have given related to leadership in different forms. ‘Sun Tzu’ is a Chinese general, strategist, writer and philosopher in ancient China. Out of many definitions of ‘Sun Tzu’ he defines, ‘Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage, and discipline’. And also he describes that ‘reliance on intelligence alone results in rebelliousness. Exercise of humaneness alone results in weakness. Fixation on trusts results in folly. Dependence on the strength of courage results in violence. Excessive discipline and sternness in command result in cruelty. When one has all five virtues together, each appropriate to its function, then one can be a leader’.

There is never a one-size fits leadership type for any business and never will be. Different in leaders and their traits will be more efficient and successful in different environments and different situations than the other. However, having a comprehensive understanding of various leadership types enables to select most appropriate leaders for the situation.

At present day 09 common leaderships can be found. 

1. Transformational leadership

Often considered and raised from the most desirable employees. People who show transformational leadership typically inspire their team through effective communication and by intellectual stimulation created at their environment.

2. Transactional leadership 

This is focused on group organization while establishing a clear chain of command. This uses carrot and stick method to approach to management activities. Leader offers exchange, rewards, perks for best performance while punishing for the bad performances and that's why the name it self as transactional leadership.

3.​Servant leadership

Person who possesses servant leadership style always prefer authority sharing and prioritizing the needs of their team by collective decision making. In some instances this will boost the morale of the team and some way it will reduce the authority of the leader and suffer a conflict of authority by putting the employees ahead of business objectives.  

4.​Autocratic leadership

This type of leaders does not share their authority or power at any cost. They have significant control over their staff and rarely consider the suggestions of others.

5.​Laissez fair leadership

Laissez fair leadership also known as delegative leadership. This is a leadership style in which leaders are hands off and allow team members to make decisions. Leader gives least guidance to the members hence it makes lowest productivity among the group. However, it is important to realize that this leadership style can have both benefits and possible pitfalls.

6.​Democratic leadership

This is also known as participative leadership. Leader often asks inputs from team members before making any final decision.

7.​Bureaucratic leadership

This has implemented in highly regulated environment under strict rules and regulations, as adherence for those is highly important.  This can be more beneficial in a company that does not require any innovation or creativity by employee.

8.​Charismatic leadership

The charismatic leadership style relies on the charm and persuasiveness of the leader. Charismatic leaders are driven by their convictions and commitment to their cause. Since charismatic and transformational shares multiple similarities both are almost the same. Their main difference is focus and audience. Charismatic leaders often try to make the status quo (Existing state of affairs) better, while transformational leaders focus on transforming organizations into the leader’s vision.

9.​Situational leadership

The Situational Leadership Model is a timeless, repeatable framework for leaders to match their behaviors with the performance needed by the individual or group that they are attempting to influence. Leader changes his leadership model depending on the situation that therein. 

Is a good manager can become automatically a good leader? This is a hard question to answer. Yet some scholars believe on the fact that leaders are born but not made. No person or a machine in earth can turn a normal human being in to a leader. Somehow this has become an argument, adding that leadership has skills and qualities that can be taught and practiced. This is where the managers come in to play. Manager can be defined as “ a formal position of authority in an organization that is planning, organizing, directing, monitoring, and controlling the activities of others. 

As to my personal opinion the main disparity I see in a manager and a leader is that managers are focus on planning and budgeting, organizing and staffing and controlling and problem solving while leaders focus on setting a direction with aligning people by motivating and inspiring.  

References

Attaconsultcom. 2018. KNOW YOUR LEADERSHIP. no-date. Attaconsultcom. [Online]. [1 November 2018]. Available from: https://attaconsult.com/tag/leadership-role/

Teccomau. 2018. KNOW YOUR LEADERSHIP. no-date. Teccomau. [Online]. [1 November 2018]. Available from: https://tec.com.au/resource/9-common-leadership-styles-which-type-of-leader-are-you/

Mindtoolscom. 2018. What Is Leadership?. no-date. Mindtoolscom. [Online]. [1 November 2018]. Available from: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_41.htm