Leadership and Management: Critical Evaluation of Theories and Key Traits

Leadership and management

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
1. Critical evaluation of leadership theories................................................................................1
2.Identification of the key traits and skills which are important for becoming an effective
leader............................................................................................................................................4
3.Identification of own leadership style.......................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Leadership can be defined as an ability of an individual to lead as well as influence other
people for making their valuable contribution in accomplishment of desired objectives.
Management can be referred to as administration of different business activities which is very
much essential for driving an enterprise towards success. It is the procedure which involves
planning, organizing, directing and controlling resources for accomplishing desired goals. An
effective leadership is very much essential for making employees feel motivative as well as
satisfied from their job. An effective leader has specialized knowledge, skills and competencies
which makes them different from other people at workplace.
The essay will include the critical evaluation of leadership theories. It will emphasize on
identification of key traits as well as skills that makes an individual an effective leader in context
of practices in health and social care. There will also focus on analyzing the way leadership can
be develop and improve.
MAIN BODY
1. Critical evaluation of leadership theories.
` Leadership can be defined as a procedure through which leader in an organization provides
guidance as well as instruction to their subordinates. School of thought in context of leadership
mainly emphasizes on the procedure through which an individual become leader. It also
emphasizes on identification of the reason because of which an individual become leader. School
of thought theory highlights the traits as well as behavior that could be adopted by an individual
for enhancing their leadership abilities. According to school of through leaders are born with
certain leadership qualities (Frankel and PGCMS, 2019.).
There are two major types of leadership theories which will be critically evaluated in
order to identify the differences between various types of leaderships. The two types of
leadership theories are as following –
1. Kurt Lewin’s leadership theory
2. Situational leadership theory
1. Kurt Lewin’s theory of leadership
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It is a three style leadership model by Kurt Lewin, this model was formed in 1939 on 3
different behaviors of leaders. There are 3 styles according to this model, Autocratic, Delegative
and Participative.
Leadership style can be defined as attitude as well as behavior of leader while directing,
inspiring, guiding and managing people within health and social care. It is a leader who can
positively influence people to improve their performance at workplace and can bring significant
improvement in an organization According to the .Lewins there are different types of leadership
styles these are Autocratic, Democratic, delegative, transformational and transactional leadership
style.
Autocratic leaders are those people who clearly communicate their expectation to
subordinates. They also provide clear instructions about the way different business operations are
to be performed. Leaders with autocratic leadership style are generally commanding and they
take high initiative to retain their control on the activities of subordinates. Autocratic leaders
make decisions on their own without seeking suggestions from other people in a group. It is a
type of leadership style which is best suitable for the circumstances where quick decision are
required to be made. An individual intends to adopt the autocratic leadership style is required to
have depth knowledge about the business. Autocratic leadership style can be adopted in the deal
where the is great deal of pressure is involved. For instance, in case of NHS which is a health
and social care, medical professional might have to take the important decision in some
emergency situations when patient health is critical. In emergency situation medical professional
themselves have to take decision related to the treatment of patient and generally in such critical
cases medical professionals cannot waste time in making discussion about treatment with their
medical staff. Other case where medical professional can adopt autocratic leadership is during
time of surgery where effective supervision can be provided only through detailed orders as well
as instructions to the untrained workers.
The main strength of the autocratic leadership style is that it enables leaders to make quick
decision. Other strength of the autocratic leadership is that there is high chain of command.
Decrease in morale of workers is considered be as one of the biggest weakness of autocratic
leadership style.
Participative leadership style which is considered to be as most effective. A person with
participative leadership style provides proper guidance to their subordinates. But at same time
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