Leadership Skills - Assignment

Running head: Leadership skill 1
21st Century Leadership
Critical review on leadership skills of 21st Century Leadership

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Literature review..............................................................................................................................5
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
References......................................................................................................................................14

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Introduction
Leadership is considered as the process in which an individual impact the individuals to
gain a set objective by the organization. Leadership plays a vital role to attain the determine
objective by mutual cooperation and cohesive behaviour. Leadership is not only the quality but it
is considered as the behaviour of an individual towards followers. The modern workplace is
amending and the seeking of business is enhanced to a challenging economic environment, there
are so many approaches are applied in the business to amplify the productivity of the employee.
The traditional leadership style of top down management is gradually developing into
collaborative approach that sanctions employees and haze the lines between manager and
employee. The traditional corporate approach defines the singular authority and the belief of
them that their power obtains from their position of authority (Hackett and Wang, 2012). The
collaborative leaders are the leaders of 21st century that power is greatest in a collective team.
They are able to involve each employee in the activity by motivating equal participation. The key
competencies of the 21st century leadership are inspire and motivates others, reflects high
integrity and honesty, solve issues and analyze issues and build relationship. The key
competencies of 21st century leader are problem solving skills, critical thinking, communication,
creative thinking and innovativeness. The literature review will reflect the creativity and
innovation as the key competencies of leader. There are various theories regarding leadership
some of them will be elaborated in literature review for providing better understanding about the
contemporary approaches of leadership. These theories are attribution theory, transactional
leadership, transformational leadership and charismatic leadership. Attribution theory explains
that in what manner people create casual explanations for behaviour and outcome and the
reaction of casual explanations over the subsequent reactions. A charismatic leader discloses an

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inspiring mission of action which may be attractive to the potential followers. 21st century
leaders are charismatic and inspiring others in perfect manner. Transactional leadership defines
the strategy of leaders in which the achiever of goals gets rewards from leader and on the other
hand who are unable to achieve the target will get punishment (Crossman, 2010). It is vital for
the manager to enhance the technology abilities of the group. Critical thinking of leader is
essential in the organization that is why it is required for the leader to be capable in critical
thoughts such as investigation and appraisals.The nature of transformational leadership is about
the changing the performance of the business. It is attractive leadership style which promise
higher level of motivation and commitment among followers by applying several mechanism.
There are majorly three theories such as trait theories, behavioral theories and contingency
theories. These theories have own measurement to evaluate the leadership skills of leader in
particular organization. It is required for the 21st leadership leaders to adapt major five
capabilities such as visioning, analyzing, relating, inventing and enabling. There can be some
possible causes which are liable of changes to leadership competencies (Ilies, Nahrgang &
Morgeson, 2007). Every business has its own policy and procedures and environment and the
affect of environment certainly influence the leadership style which may cause the amendment of
leadership competencies. Every person has different nature and it is not possible that one
leadership style and theory can be applicable to other in same manner that is why differentiation
of personal experience and changes are being the reason of changing to leadership competencies.
The literature review will reflect the critical analysis on the topic of 21st century leadership.