Leadership

Essay by RozellaUniversity, Master'sA, September 2006

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1.0 OVERVIEW

Leadership in the 21st Century requires a special skill set because of the changing pace of business, fluctuating market conditions, increased competition, and changes in the workforce. Successful leaders are vital to successful organizations, so it is imperative that today's leaders are skilled at using techniques that fit our changing world.

It is generally accepted that good leadership is essential to the functioning of an organization. Leadership is the process of interaction between situation, the leader and the followers. Thus, a 'good' leadership is contingent upon a number of variables; traits and skills, behavior and personality, and not to disregard, power.

Leaders carry out this process by applying their leadership attributes such as belief, values, ethics, character knowledge and skills. It is about understanding people, and about getting people pointing and acting in the same direction. The unique role of a leader is then to provide the energy and commitment to see the job through, and ensuring execution is perfect.

Leadership is also about listening, and making a real 'connect' with others.

It starts with having a vision, then developing a plan to achieve it. It is based both on data assessment and intuition, hope and fear. Envisioning starts with having a clear view of the external world and it drives the formation of the mission and builds clear, mutual goals.

Leaders create followers. The task of a leader is to encourage people to get things executed. Leaders and followers are symmetrical because they need each other. They find ways to create groups of followers, and with that, together they change things.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

We are all aware the importance of effective leadership. Leaders not only make a difference in the results of their organizations, they also make a difference in the satisfaction levels of the people working...