Managerial Leadership - Leader Qualities - Leadership Theories

1. Meaning of Leadership.

Leading is 1 of import role of administration only side past times side to planning as well as organizing. It is the liveliest chemical factor inwards the administration process. It initiates actions to interpret the decisions into concrete actions. Managers take away maintain to Pb their subordinates through guiding as well as motivating. Leading involves directing, influencing as well as motivating employees to perform essential tasks.

Every managing director has to deed equally a leader inwards his surface area of operation. This agency he has to guide, instruct, Pb as well as motivate his subordinates as well as so equally to exercise their skills, efficiency, capacity etc. for the exercise goodness of his Organisation. He has to influence the demeanour of his subordinates as well as acquire the piece of employment done through their collective efforts. Leadership qualities are required inwards monastic enjoin to conduct diverse managerial functions effectively. Each as well as every grouping of people engaged inwards a item activity needs a leader inwards monastic enjoin to guide, co-ordinate as well as command their efforts. In this sense, leadership is required for the conduct of economic, social, political or cultural activities. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 college principal, secretarial assistant of a co-operative companionship or of a sports lodge or cultural association deed equally leaders inwards their respective fields. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandella, John F. Kennedy are footing known political leaders patch Henry Ford, J. R. D. Tata as well as S. L. Kirloskar are known leaders inwards the concern world. Here, nosotros are concerned only alongside the managerial leadership. Managerial leadership is that component of a manager's activities past times which he influences the demeanour of his subordinates towards a desired objectives or results.

Leadership is followership. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 skilful leader leads but does non push. Effective leadership tin guide a grouping towards sure enough ideals without exerting much force. Managers who possess the character of guiding as well as directing the subordinates nether inspired impulses tin endure called concern leaders. Leadership is concerned alongside getting results through people as well as implies the Organisation of staff into productive teams, groups as well as departments. Leadership entrails the creation of human structures, their motivation as well as direction; the resolution of conflicts at the workplace, creating vision for the entire concern as well as providing resources inwards back upwards of this.

Manager tin perform diverse managerial functions to a greater extent than effectively past times providing proper leadership to his subordinates. This makes leadership an inevitable aspect of administration procedure itself. Leadership is essential for the success as well as stability of a concern enterprise. Managers possessing leadership qualities are called concern leaders.

2. Definitions of Leadership.

1. According to Koontz as well as O'Donnell, "Leadership is the mightiness of a managing director to stimulate subordinates (followers) to piece of employment alongside confidence as well as zeal."
2. According to George Terry, "Leadership is the activity of influencing people to strive for mutual objectives."
3. According to Peter Drucker, "Leadership is the shifting of own's vision to higher sights, the raising of man's performance to higher standards, the edifice of man's personality beyond its normal limitations."

3. Characteristics of Leadership.

1. Involves guiding as well as motivating : Leadership is a managerial procedure of guiding as well as motivating the subordinates for achieving organizational goals/objectives. For motivating, communicating is necessary. Leadership is described equally an fine art of influencing as well as inspiring subordinates to perform their duties efficiently.
2. Needs subordinates as well as mutual interests : It pre-supposes the beingness of subordinates. There must endure mutual involvement for the leader as well as his followers due to which they cooperate as well as participate for achieving mutual objectives.
3. Promotes involvement inwards the piece of employment : The purpose of leadership is to influence, motivate as well as encourage subordinates to convey active involvement inwards the piece of employment assigned as well as give the best results.
4. Needs back upwards from all : The leader must recognize the presence of all employees irrespective of their position. The leader cannot move successful unless he obtains back upwards from all.
5. Influences subordinates through personal qualities : Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 leader understands the problems of his subordinates as well as influences them past times his personal qualities.
6. Dynamic as well as continuous procedure : Leadership is a dynamic as well as continuous process. It is a regular activity of guiding as well as motivating subordinates for improving their performance as well as contribution towards organizational objectives.
7. Leadership is situational : An ideal leadership is ever situational. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 leader has to written report the prevailing province of affairs as well as render appropriate leadership to his subordinates.
8. Assumes obligation : Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 leader ever inspires followers. In the lawsuit of failure, he does non shift the responsibleness to his subordinates but accepts his personal weaknesses inwards performance. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 leader leads past times setting skilful example.
9. Needs interaction alongside followers : The objective of the leader as well as his subordinates should endure the same. If the leader attempts for 1 purpose as well as his subordinates for some other purpose, it is no leadership. Their involvement must endure identical.
10. Achievement of objectives : The success of a leader largely depends on his mightiness to accomplish organizational objectives. When a leader fails to attain the objectives, he is of no utility to the management.

4. Qualities of a Good Leader / Leadership Qualities.

A leader needs audio wellness as well as physical capacity to perform his functions or duties assigned inwards an efficient manner. In improver to physical qualities, an ideal leader needs sure enough qualities of caput as well as heart. The master copy qualities include Personal Traits as well as Managerial Traits which are shown inwards the next chart:

5. Styles of Leadership.

There are dissimilar styles of leadership. This classification is based on the methods used past times the leaders.

Edwin Flippo has defined leadership trend equally "a pattern of demeanour designed to integrate organizational as well as personal involvement inwards pursuit of some objectives."

Basically, the styles of leadership tin endure divided into 2 broad groups. These are: (a) Task-oriented styles, as well as (b) People-oriented styles.

1. In the chore oriented styles of leadership, to a greater extent than importance is given to getting the piece of employment done past times subordinates. Task-oriented leaders are interested inwards the completion of piece of employment as well as exercise non give importance/attention to subordinates or their desires, interests as well as and so on. Dictatorial leader as well as autocratic leader are the examples of this category.
2. People-oriented trend of leadership is basically democratic. Here, the leader gives importance to the interests, thoughts, problems, etc. of subordinates. He tries to accomplish objectives alongside their back upwards as well as co-operation. Participative or democratic leader comes nether this category.

6. Theories of Leadership.

1. Trait Approach Theory (The Traits Approach),
2. Behavioral Approach Theory, and
3. Contingency / Situational Approach Theory.

7. Trait Approach Theory (The Traits Approach).

The traits approach theory was 1 of the start attempts to explicate the leadership based on personal traits. Traits are inborn or acquired personal qualities of an individual. They include physical qualities as well as the qualities of caput as well as heart.

Traits theory refers to sure enough traits/characteristics which separate leaders from non-leaders. Such traits enable some to rising higher upwards their followers.

The basic traits useful for leadership include height, energy, looks, cognition as well as intelligence, imagination, self-confidence, integrity, fluency of speech, mental balance, enthusiasm, courage, sociability, as well as friendliness as well as and so on.

According to the traits theory, an private possessing such traits is usually able to influence others as well as gets the status of a leader. This suggests that a leader is quite dissimilar from an average individual inwards regard to personal qualities such equally intelligence, perseverance as well as overall personality including physical features.

The traits theory suggests that leaders are higher upwards the followers inwards regard to personal traits. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fair combination of such traits makes them influential as well as impressive equally compared to others.

Traits theory indirectly supports the sentiment that leaders are born as well as non made. Researchers take away maintain suggested dissimilar traits of leaders. Such traits are like to physical, psychological, mental, intellectual as well as other qualities which are commonly treated equally essential inwards the illustration of an ideal leader. It may endure noted that some traits are innate patch some others tin endure acquired through exceptional efforts.

The traits theory is based on the personal qualities (inborn/acquired) of an individual. Such qualities play a positive role inwards edifice leadership. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 individual becomes leader due to such traits. The theory is based solely on personal traits as well as their contribution inwards developing leadership.

7.1 Limitations of Traits Approach Theory / Criticism of Traits Theory.

1. Examples of leaders without sure enough traits are mutual : According to this theory, leadership is based on sure enough traits such equally personality, intelligence, self-confidence, courage as well as and so on. However, it is rattling hard to uncovering out a item leadership trait inwards the greatest leaders of the world. Some known footing leaders take away maintain had quite dissimilar traits. People alongside express education, express grooming as well as without good developed personality take away maintain proved to endure non bad leaders. History is total of such examples of leaders.
2. Traits are non absolutely essential for leadership : As per the theory, many traits are desirable inwards the illustration of leaders. However, none seems to endure absolutely essential. Many leaders are extremely pop fifty-fifty without sure enough useful traits.
3. Situational aspect is ignored : The theory fails to convey into consideration the province of affairs inside which the leaders take away maintain to function. There are instances inwards which a leader is successful inwards 1 province of affairs but may non endure inwards some other fifty-fifty when traits are same on both the occasions. For example, Winston Churchill was Prime Minister of England as well as was too state of war hero during the Second World War but was defeated inwards the full general elections nether novel province of affairs i.e., afterward the destination of World War II.
4. No reference to essential qualities : The theory fails to give the listing of essential qualities (innate as well as acquired) required for leadership purpose.
5. Superiority is non clearly stated : The theory states that a leader has superior personal traits equally compared to his followers. However, the nature or extent of superiority is non given inwards a clear manner.

8. Behavioural Approach Theory.

The behavioral approach theory is an extension of the traits theory as well as is superior inwards sure enough respects. The traits theory failed to explicate what caused effective leadership. The behavioral approach is based on the written report of demeanour of a leader.

Leadership grows/develops non past times traits but past times the acts or sense of a person. The behavioral theory is based on the supposition that leaders are non born but they develop gradually past times sense as well as maturity. The attending is given to what leaders exercise (i.e., their behavior) rather than to what they are. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 leader learns novel traits through his sense (behavior or acts). The focus point, here, is on what the leader does patch leading.

This behavioral theory suggests that a leader exercise non send inwards the same fashion nether all situations. Similarly, his actions are non identical nether all situations which he faces. He adjusts his demeanour equally per the demand of the situation. There is an chemical factor of flexibility inwards his approach as well as behavior. He studies the province of affairs as well as adjust his leadership trend accordingly. He adopts dissimilar leadership styles to watch the demand of dissimilar situations.

The most pop behavioral theories are:

1. blogspot.com//search?q=douglas-mcgregor-theory-x-theory-y">Douglas McGregor's Theory 'X' as well as Theory 'Y', as well as
2. Dr. Rensis Likert's Four Management Systems.

The behavioral approach theory is practical inwards nature. It gives to a greater extent than attending to acts as well as demeanour of a individual as well as non to the personal traits. Leadership develops past times sense as well as non past times inborn traits. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 leader has to acquire sure enough qualities past times sense only.

Like the traits theory, the behavioral approach oversimplifies the complexities of the leadership process. However, the behavioral approach is responsible for the evolution of a classification of leadership styles which has provided managers suitable opportunities to secure greater insight into their ain behavior.

9. Contingency / Situational Approach Theory or Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory.

Situational/Contingency Theory is a novel improver to the existing theories of leadership. It is a combination of dissimilar leadership styles such equally autocratic, democratic as well as and so on. An ideal leader studies the overall prevailing situation, draws conclusions nearly the whole province of affairs as well as adopts the leadership trend which is most appropriate to the prevailing situation. He is non concerned alongside 1 specific leadership trend but volition exercise whatever trend equally per the available situation. He is interested inwards achieving his objectives as well as is willing to exercise suitable agency for this purpose. Sometimes he may endure democratic but may endure autocratic on some other occasions. "Different strokes for dissimilar folks" is his leadership approach. He volition consider the grouping of employees (skilled, unskilled, supervisory, etc.) to endure handled as well as adjust his leadership trend accordingly. He volition non exercise 1 leadership trend for controlling/motivating all categories of employees. On the other hand, he volition endure democratic alongside some categories of employees as well as autocratic alongside the employees working at the other level. In other words, adjusting the leadership trend equally per the demand of the province of affairs or equally per the grouping of employees/subordinates to endure handled is the essence of situational leadership style. In brief, he studies the province of affairs as well as adjust his leadership trend accordingly. He adopts a practical approach inwards monastic enjoin to acquire his piece of employment done i.e. achievement of organizational objectives. In brief, inwards the situational leadership style, the leader adopts practical as well as flexible approach inwards decision-making. This is the essence of situational/contingency theory or approach.

Contingency approach concludes that at that topographic point is no "one best style" of leadership nether all conditions. Efficient leadership trend varies alongside situations as well as an efficient leader is 1 who studies the prevailing province of affairs as well as finds out the leadership trend which would endure most suitable for the given situation. This is natural equally a uncomplicated cookbook approach for selecting the best leadership trend does non exist. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 skilful leader has to written report the province of affairs as well as adjust his leadership trend accordingly. Here, the focus is on the province of affairs as well as non on the personal qualities as well as demeanour of a leader.

Situational leadership trend is flexible/adjustable as well as is commonly to a greater extent than effective equally compared to other types of leadership. The situational theory of leadership was developed past times Hersey as well as Blanchrd at the Centre for Leadership Studies inwards Ohio State University.

9.1 Important Features of Situational Leadership.

1. Situational leadership is novel improver to the existing styles of leadership.
2. An ideal leader (according to this theory) studies the overall situation, draws conclusions as well as adopts the leadership trend which is most appropriate to the prevailing situation. This is the essence of situational leadership theory.
3. The best leadership trend according to this theory is situational.
4. An ideal leader is 1 who tin adjust his trend of functioning equally per the province of affairs inside which he has to operate. This agency the internal as well as external surround to the enterprise.
5. A leader may deed equally a dictator at 1 fourth dimension as well as too equally a democratic leader on some other occasion. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 skilful leader is 1 who studies the province of affairs around him as well as adopts the most suitable leadership style.
6. A situational leadership is a combination of all types of leadership.
7. A situational leader knows dissimilar leadership styles but selects 1 item style, which is most, appropriate to a given situation/environment.
8. A situational leader adopts flexible approach inwards his trend of functioning. This makes his leadership effective as well as result-oriented. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 situational leader knows when to exercise autocratic trend as well as when to exercise democratic style. He makes corresponding adjustment inwards his style. This makes him effective/successful equally a leader.

The situational theory suggests that a manager's leadership trend should vary alongside the situation. This leadership model is uncomplicated as well as appealing. However, it ignores several other critical elements that create upwards one's heed leadership trend as well as it does non take away maintain a broad accepted query base. Inspite of the limitations, this leadership model achieved considerable popularity as well as too awakened many managers to the thought of contingency approaches to leadership style.

9.2 Merits of Situational Leadership.

1. The situational leadership theory is a practical 1 as well as is based on existent facts of life. The best leadership trend is situational.
2. The situational theory has universal acceptance.
3. It focuses attending non on the personality of the leader, but on the personality of the Organisation equally a whole.
4. The situational leadership theory is flexible as well as adaptable. It tin operate inwards whatever trend (autocratic, democratic, etc.) equally per the demand of the situation.

9.3 Limitations of Situational Leadership.

1. In situational leadership, to a greater extent than importance is given to the province of affairs as well as less to personal traits. Leadership should involve both traits as well as situations. However, the theory gives importance to province of affairs only.
2. The theory offers an incomplete explanation of the leadership process.

10. Question Bank On Leadership.

1. What is leadership? Explain its functions.
2. Explain the importance of or role of leadership inwards business.
3. State as well as explicate the qualities of a skilful leader.
4. "Best type of leadership is situational" Explain.
5. Write brusque notes on:
   • Blanchard’s situational leadership theory
   • Qualities of an ideal leader
   • Leadership is situational