Leadership Definition
- The ability to influence, motivate, and enable others
- To achieve a goal
- To contribute toward the effectiveness of the organizations and the society in which they are members
Leadership as a Trait
- Trait: distinguishing quality of an individual, often inherited
- “Great man” theories imply only some people are leaders
- -> Intelligent, alert, responsible, persistent, social, self-confident
- To be effective, you need the right traits for the situation
Leadership as an Ability
- Ability: a natural capacity, can also be strengthened
- We can develop our abilities (to some extent) through hard work and practice
Leadership as a Behaviour
- Behaviour: what a person does; observable
- -> Task behaviours: focus on getting the job done
- -> Process behaviours: focus on improving the situation
- Effective leadership combines these two behaviours in an optimum way
Leadership as a Relationship
- Relationship: a process of collaboration
- An unusual way of thinking of leadership
- Focuses on the communication between leaders and followers, rather than just the leader
- An interactive process, not top down
- Mutual purposes imply an ethical dimension: it’s not about the leaders goals
Leadership as an Influence Process
- The approach emphasized in Northouse
- Defined: a process whereby an individual influences a group to achieve a common goal
- Interactive event
- -> Leaders affect followers
- -> Followers affect leaders
Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo
Competency, courage and confidence, communication, consistency, compass (integrity)
Dark Leadership Is…
A leader seeks out personal rather than common goals
Followers are left worse off
Dark Leadership Happens When…
- The leader is destructive
- The followers are susceptible
- The environment is conducive (e.g. no checks/balances, rules)
Types of Bad Leadership
Ineffective: failed to produce the desired change because of something that they lack and/or inappropriate strategies/tactics
Unethical: character issues, right vs. wrong
Types of Ineffective Leaders
Incompetent → lack the will and skill to sustain effective action
Rigid → are stiff and unyielding; may be competent but are unwilling or unable to adapt
Intemperate → lack self control
Types of Unethical Leaders
Callous → are uncaring or unkind; ignores the wants, needs, and wishes of others (especially subordinates)
Corrupt → lie, cheat or steal more than usual; put self-interest above public interest
Insular → minimize the wellbeing of “others” - those outside the group/organization
Evil → commit atrocities; use pain as an instrument - can be slight, severe, physical, psychological
Passive (Sheep) Follower
don’t show initiative or responsibility; require external motivation and constant supervision. Passive; uncritical; perform tasks given to them then stop
Conformist (yes people) Follower
willingly participate; very busy but doesn’t necessarily engage brain to think through what they’re doing. Can be aggressively deferential but dependent on the leader for inspiration
Pragmatic Survivor (canary) Follower
“better safe than sorry”; constantly check the wind direction; flips between various follower types to suit each situation; don’t stand behind controversial or unique idea with a majority; prefer background
Alienated Follower
critical and independent in their thinking but passive in carrying out role; something turned them off; thinks extremely well but often snipes on the sidelines; stuck; cynical, and feel has lost power
Effective (stars) Follower
critical, positive, independent thinker and active in behaviour; treats people consistently regardless of power; stay focused on organizations needs; assumes leadership as needed; uses referent, expert, network and information power; well balanced and responsible
How to Cultivate Effective Leaders
- Redefine followership and leadership
- Hone followership skills
- Performance evaluation and feedback
- Organizational structures: built into organizational fabric vs. occasional lip service
What Does A Vision Look Like?
- An image of what the future could look like
- An emphasis on change and challenge
- Based on one’s own values, the values of others, and the values of the organization
- Provides a road map for the future
- Links present to the future
- Help to establish a standard of excellence and integrity
How To Implement A Vision
- involve others
- be short and sweet
- choose your words carefully
- adapt to your audience
- implement the vision
Intelligence
- Intelligent individuals have good language skills, perceptual skills and reasoning ability
- It is hard to change intelligence quotient (IQ) but it is possible to:
- -> Obtain knowledge
- ->Learn about your job and environment
- -> Use information to become better leaders
Confidence
- A trait that has to do with feeling positive about oneself and one’s ability to succeed
- Confident people:
Feel self-assured
Believe they can accomplish goals
Do not second-guess themselves, they move forward with clear visions
They are positive and about self and ability - To build it we can:
Understand what is required (i.e. reducing uncertainty)
Have mentor show you the way and provide feedback
Practice
Charisma
- Magnetic charm and appeal that gives leaders exceptional powers of influence (not a common trait)
- To increase charisma:
Be a strong role model for values
Be competent in leadership to gain trust
Articulate clear goals and strong values
Communicate high expectations and show confidence in followers abilities
Inspire others - Darkside: could be seen as emotional manipulation
Tendency for followers to think emotionally not logically
E.g. Hitler, Jordan Belfort
Determination
- Someone who is determined is: Focused and attentive to tasks Knows where to go and how to get there Takes initiative and is driven Persists in the face of obstacles - Easiest for leaders to acquire Focus on task, clarify goals, articulate vision and encourage others to stay the course
