In today’s knowledge driven world Leadership is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Leadership in today is different than it was in early days. We have several constraints to work with e.g. stress, diversity, global labor arbitrage, competition, information age and virtual team just to name a few.
Experts have pointed out several theories from early trait to situational leadership theory etc., however, attributes that are essential in today’s leadership are as follows:
1. Less selfish approach: Let’s us admit, values are important in leadership. The difference between a manager and a leader is that the later is less about control and command than the prior. Organization is not different entity than a social group. Henceforth, to drive an organization we need to carefully observe it’s three important elements: a) People, b) Process and c) culture. Once those aspects are understood, organization could be driven effectively through organizational shaping bring in change slowly but steadily.
2. Coaching styles: As asserted earlier, today’s society is knowledge driven and therefore the best approach to leadership should be coaching style. It may take time to drive employees behind an effective leader for the specific goal to attain; however, coaching style will take you more effectively towards otherwise impossible goal than any other means. I have experimented this style in a passive-aggressive organization (consider such organizational behavior similar to that of dysfunctional organization) improving much of it’s business. It does work very well.
3. Expert & Referent Power: Drive employees through your expert understanding of the business (technical or non-technical). Expert and referent power need not be expressed but trusty me it is powerful enough to be perceived. Such quality or attributes thereof will much effective than any form of coercive power. After all, the latter coincides with micromanagement of the perfectionist than a leader.
4. Understanding of employee’s needs: Pay attention to employee needs through the application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs or two factors theories etc. Different theory has different application. We need to find a balance to apply those appropriate particular needs. For example, self actualization needs. You will often find certain employees are having abandoned of energy and emotional surge, they are thriving to do something different. Understanding them is the key. Always we should entertain employee’s healthy impulses and encourage them to do something better by fulfilling their self actualization needs through path goal theory.
5. Motivation: There are several types of motivation technique. Rule up your sleeves and get to work as change maker. Build your personal brand through social theory. Motivation is not always about paying higher salary to employees. I have done things more effectively rather than increasing salary for the purpose. Social theory will help you much in this regard should you believe in your leadership. Go out there and motivate employee through touch of friendship. Let them get energies and believe in you to make the difference. This is powerful technique and doing such will not only empower employee it will drive the organization to success. However, the organization should be supportive to it meaning higher up, this value must need to be understood.
6. Be humble: Humbleness is understood to be as the “universal value” attribute in most cultures. Therefore, let’s use the power of it. Be humble and work on removing workplace bullying. It is costing USA dearly in a whooping USD$300 billions. Not only that workplace bullying is harmful for our society as well.
7. Fine balance of management and leadership attribute: Combined your management attributes with leadership attributes finding a finer balance. We do not need all the attributes of management however some will help you to become effective, the same is true for leadership. So how do you find the finer balance? Well item 1 to 7 given here will help you to tune your brand.
8. Be respectful to others: Whether it’s your subordinate or peer, be equally fair and respectful to others. Such attributes will develop your powerful brand in the organization. Let us get it hardened in our mind, without values leadership will never be effective.
I have been successful through the application of those techniques. Success always does not mean getting a higher position in an organization. Success means driving people behind you towards a common goal for which result is satisfactory. I do share my knowledge, expertise and heart with others. I enjoy in the notion and practice of making meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Experts have pointed out several theories from early trait to situational leadership theory etc., however, attributes that are essential in today’s leadership are as follows:
1. Less selfish approach: Let’s us admit, values are important in leadership. The difference between a manager and a leader is that the later is less about control and command than the prior. Organization is not different entity than a social group. Henceforth, to drive an organization we need to carefully observe it’s three important elements: a) People, b) Process and c) culture. Once those aspects are understood, organization could be driven effectively through organizational shaping bring in change slowly but steadily.
2. Coaching styles: As asserted earlier, today’s society is knowledge driven and therefore the best approach to leadership should be coaching style. It may take time to drive employees behind an effective leader for the specific goal to attain; however, coaching style will take you more effectively towards otherwise impossible goal than any other means. I have experimented this style in a passive-aggressive organization (consider such organizational behavior similar to that of dysfunctional organization) improving much of it’s business. It does work very well.
3. Expert & Referent Power: Drive employees through your expert understanding of the business (technical or non-technical). Expert and referent power need not be expressed but trusty me it is powerful enough to be perceived. Such quality or attributes thereof will much effective than any form of coercive power. After all, the latter coincides with micromanagement of the perfectionist than a leader.
4. Understanding of employee’s needs: Pay attention to employee needs through the application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs or two factors theories etc. Different theory has different application. We need to find a balance to apply those appropriate particular needs. For example, self actualization needs. You will often find certain employees are having abandoned of energy and emotional surge, they are thriving to do something different. Understanding them is the key. Always we should entertain employee’s healthy impulses and encourage them to do something better by fulfilling their self actualization needs through path goal theory.
5. Motivation: There are several types of motivation technique. Rule up your sleeves and get to work as change maker. Build your personal brand through social theory. Motivation is not always about paying higher salary to employees. I have done things more effectively rather than increasing salary for the purpose. Social theory will help you much in this regard should you believe in your leadership. Go out there and motivate employee through touch of friendship. Let them get energies and believe in you to make the difference. This is powerful technique and doing such will not only empower employee it will drive the organization to success. However, the organization should be supportive to it meaning higher up, this value must need to be understood.
6. Be humble: Humbleness is understood to be as the “universal value” attribute in most cultures. Therefore, let’s use the power of it. Be humble and work on removing workplace bullying. It is costing USA dearly in a whooping USD$300 billions. Not only that workplace bullying is harmful for our society as well.
7. Fine balance of management and leadership attribute: Combined your management attributes with leadership attributes finding a finer balance. We do not need all the attributes of management however some will help you to become effective, the same is true for leadership. So how do you find the finer balance? Well item 1 to 7 given here will help you to tune your brand.
8. Be respectful to others: Whether it’s your subordinate or peer, be equally fair and respectful to others. Such attributes will develop your powerful brand in the organization. Let us get it hardened in our mind, without values leadership will never be effective.
I have been successful through the application of those techniques. Success always does not mean getting a higher position in an organization. Success means driving people behind you towards a common goal for which result is satisfactory. I do share my knowledge, expertise and heart with others. I enjoy in the notion and practice of making meaningful difference in the lives of others.
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