Leadership Theories and Qualities

The assignment provided is a research-based document that delves into various leadership theories, including transactional and transformational leadership. It highlights the importance of qualities such as servant leadership, coaching leadership, and charismatic leadership in motivating employees. The document also touches upon the differences between management and leadership, emphasizing that leaders are not born but made through development and training.

Leadership and
Management

Table of Contents
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
1. What is involved in being a successful leader.........................................................................1
2. Can good leadership be developed and if so how....................................................................3
3. Difference between leadership and management....................................................................5
4. What have you learnt about leadership from your own experiences.......................................7
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
.......................................................................................................................................................10

MAIN BODY
1. What is involved in being a successful leader
Leader is the person who leads and who possess the capability to inspire group of people
in order to attain organisation goals and objectives. The leader holds a superior position and
some extraordinary quality which helps leaders to manage their subordinates. The main task of
leader is to motivate its team members and subordinates so that they can complete the given task
(Daft, 2014). There are various theories which is adopted by various leaders in order to manage
their subordinates and to become a good leader. These are described as below:
Trait theory:
The trait theory talks about characteristics of a leader which make the person different
from others. There are various kinds of quality posses by a leader that helps leader to motivate
their followers and subordinates. The different people has given different kind of theories with
regards to leadership out of which Great Man theory of leadership is discussed below:
Great Man theory of leadership:
This theory states that great leaders are those who possess some extra ordinary qualities
from a normal person which makes a person good leader. These kinds of quality and trait helps
leaders to inspire their followers so that they can accomplish their goals. According to Great Man
theory the leaders are born not made (Covin and Slevin, 2017). Leaders have some specific
qualities such as bravery, motivators, charm, powerfulness, commanding personality and
intelligence etc. There are some of example of great leaders who posses these qualities and
achieved their goals with helps various subordinates. These leaders are like, Abraham Lincoln,
Mao Tse Tung and Mahatma Gandhi etc. who are known as great leader and influencer. Due to
the various born leadership qualities they influence and motivates their subordinates in order to
perform the duties effectively.
Assumption of Great Man Theory
 Leaders are born not made and posses some quality which is inherited in them.
 Great leaders can arise when there is a great need.
Skills:
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Skills are capability of an individual which enables an individual to complete their task
effectively and efficiently. There are various theories which are based on the skills of leaders out
of them Katz's three skills model is described as below:
Katz's three skills approach:
The theory was developed by Robert Katz in 1955 and this is based on mainly three skills
which are required to be posses by a person so it can become good leader. These skills are
discussed as below:
Technical skill:
Technology has become an integral part of everyone's life and making people life more
simpler every day. It is very important for people to have technical skills in order to be
competitive and perform their duties on time. It is considered as knowledge about specific field
and competitive in a specific field. This includes proficiency in a particular area, analysis
capacities and ability to use suitable tools. It is a basic but important for leader to possess this
skill so that they can perform their roles and duties effectively. This will also help the leaders to
enhance their productivity and accomplish goals effectively (Collinson, 2014). For example, if a
leader is working in a IT enabled organisation than it is necessary to have technical knowledge
like Java, C++ and database management etc. These skill would enable leader to get their goals
achieved effectively.
Human Skills:
Human skills are those which are associated with capacity of an individual to work with
other people. This skill enables a leader to work effectively and efficiently with their superiors
and subordinates. This skill states that a leader should be able to communicate and make
interaction with person so that they inspire and influence their followers. This skill will also be
helpful for leader to convey their thoughts to followers so they feel motivated and get their goals
achieved. There are various common but important skills which comes under this skills are
communication, motivation, positivity, team spirit and development of corporation. If leader of
organisation possess these skills than it can be very helpful for leaders to accomplish the
organisational goals and get growth.
Conceptual skill:
This is an important skill which makes a leader to think out of box and take effective
decisions for growth of organisation. It includes different skills which are as follows:
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 To think innovative
 Make effective strategy and create visions in order to attain organisational goals.
 To take better decisions in adverse situation which arises in organisation.
 Problem solving capacity and analytical thinking.
Lewin's leadership style:
This leadership style was developed by Kurt Lewin in 1939, who has came up with
various kinds of leadership styles which are as follows:
Autocratic leadership:
It is a leadership style where leaders control its group members and takes the decision
independently. The leaders does not allows their employees to take participates in decision
making process. As in this style the power lies in hand of leaders and they give instruction to
their team members regarding what to do and how to do (Chen And et. al., 2014).
Participative leadership:
The participative leadership style states that leader should allows their subordinates in
their decision making process so they feel motivated and their goals can be accomplished. It will
increase the willingness of employees for doing work.
Delegated leadership:
Delegated leadership style advise leaders that they should gives authority to its
subordinates so they can take decision according to their desires. It is possible when all group
members are highly qualified and mature enough to take care about their work.
Situational Theory:
This theory states that there is no single leadership style which can be suitable for leaders.
Leaders have to take decision according to their capabilities and on the basis of different
situations which arises in organisation. For example, if any organisation is going to restructuring
than it in this situation leaders have to motivate its employees in order to retain and to work for
organisation. According to situational analysis leaders are supposed to make decisions for
motivating the subordinates.
2. Can good leadership be developed and if so how
The leadership is trait which is posses by very few and there is saying that leaders are
born not made. There some theories also which support this statement but there are some
qualities and traits of leaders which can be developed. The leaders are those who has capability
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to lead and influence the subordinates. There are various skills of leaders which can be
developed, these are discussed as below:
Taking initiative:
The person who lead or take initiative is considered as leader. This is an important quality
of leader and it can be developed by individuals. At the workplace by taking initiation for a work
any individual can develop this feature and attain their goals (Cashman, 2017).
Critical thinking:
Critical thinking is an another important aspect for leaders in order to solve the critical
problems. With help of critical thinking one can become aware about opportunities and can take
advantage of these opportunities to take benefits. This is trait which can be developed by
brainstorming sessions.
Listen effectively:
Listing skill is an important skill for everyone it helps to gain more knowledge and take
competitive advantage. This also helps workers to become aware about their mistakes and then
rectify their mistakes after getting feedbacks.
Motivation:
Motivation is a important tool to encourage subordinates and get the goals accomplished.
If leaders know the way to motivate its employees than they can become a successful leader.
There are different theories of leadership which are described as below:
Contingency theory:
According to this theory a leader's effectiveness is contingent upon with how their
leadership style matches with situation. The leader of organisation must find out about what kind
of leadership style and situation they thrive in. This theory has certain concern that there is no
one best leadership style, its all depend on the style which is adopted by leaders in a particular
contingent situation. A leader is effective when their leadership style fits with their situation.
This theory is not make any concern about leadership style it talks about how a leader adapt
situation. This states that how leadership style compatible with the goal of organisation. For
example, organisation have to produce the 1000 units of jeans in 2days which is the beyond from
normal capacity of company so in this case leaders are supposed to take efficient decision and
instruct their subordinates that if they work for 2 hour extra than they will get extra benefits
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which can be monetary and non monetary. So by motivating employees the goals of organisation
cab be attained.
Participative theory:
According to this theory, leader should give the freedom to their subordinates for taking
participation in decision making process. The employees should be allowed to provide their
valuable suggestion and innovative ideas so that effective decision can be made. By using this
theory leaders can get various new and innovative ways for attaining team goals. If leader take
actions on feedbacks given by employees than this will motivate employees and they will
perform with more efficiency. For example, organisation wants to come up with new bonus
scheme which should be accepted by employees. The leaders of organisation can convince their
employees by using participative leadership style which allows them to take participate in
decision making.
Trait theory:
The trait theory is known as modern theory of leadership. According to this theory there
are some traits which should be posses by leaders in order to motivate and influence employees
or subordinates for performing effectively. This theory includes traits like courage, confidence
and extraversion. Foe example, leaders of an organisation have the positive attitude and
confident through this characteristics other members can also feel motivated when they come to
know regarding this. This will develop confidence in workers so that they can perform bettwer
and attain organisation goals (Breevaart and et. al., 2014).
3. Difference between leadership and management
Management is an art of get work done by others persons. It is a function which allows to
bring all employees together in order to attain organisational goals and objectives. There are
some core functions of management which are planning, organising, directing and controlling
which assist organisation to get their goals achieved on time. It is important for manager of
organisation to follow these function in order to plan the work accordingly and get their goals
accomplished. The corporations are liable to appoint a good manager so that management can be
improved and employees can work effectively. As manager of organisation is liable to delegate
task to their subordinate according to their skills, capacity and interest so that they achieve goals
effectively and efficiently. Management is all about managing work in a superior way and avoid
any kind of chaos in the business.
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Difference between Leadership and Management
Basis of comparison Leadership Management
Meaning Leadership is a skill which
helps to leads the group
members.
Management is an art to set up
the things effectively.
Emphasis on To inspire the team mates to
perform better.
Help to come through the
activities in the organisation.
Power It has influencing power Ruling power
Focus on To motivate the persons Brining firmness in the
organization.
Strategy This believes in proactive
strategy.
This believes in reactive
strategy approach.
Perspective Effective providence is
essential for the leader
Management has short range
of linear perspective.
Leadership is refers to the capacity or ability of an individual in order to inspire and
motivate their followers and peers to accomplish goals effectively and efficiently. The leadership
involves make clear vision, better communication and effective coordination among all team
members so that goals can be achieved effectively. There are various leaders who has influenced
the large number of people and due to some extraordinary quality they have huge number of
followers. There are some example of a good leaders are Mahatma Gandhi, Swamu Vivekanand,
Abraham Lincoln etc. Apart from this there are various leaders who has inspired million of
people by their qualities and traits.
So leadership and management are the different things for organisation but both these
element make contribution in success of organisation. For example, if an organisation does not
have effective leader than it will decrease productivity of employees and will not be able to
achieve organisational goals. So it is very important to have good leaders in order to achieve
organisational goals and to keep motivated its employees (Bolman and Deal, 2017). Similarly if
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management of an organisation is not up to mark than it will directly make impact on regular
operations of business and its performance. Apart from this, organisation will also lack at all
functions of management which will make impact on performance on employees and its
organisation. As a result this will decrease the efficiency of employees and they would not be
able to accomplish goals.
4. What have you learnt about leadership from your own experiences
Leadership is refers to be a capability of individuals in order to encourage other so that all
the members of team can effectively perform its responsibilities as well as roles. My experience
regarding it was great. When I was the class monitor from 7th to 10th standard. Through my
effectual style of leadership I managed the overall class and at time my teacher had not present
then I was accountable to control class. I have some qualities and traits of leadership that made
me capable so that I can control the class students. These are as follows:
Motivation:
I have capability to encourage another individuals so that task can be performed
effectually by them. For example: if any student do not score good then they feel demotivated at
that time I encouraged them so that they can feel motivated and it can performed well in next
exams.
Communication:
My communication skills is good this allow me to communicate as well as express
thoughts and ideas with others. I convey accurate information to students that is given by
teacher. For example: when teacher will give assessment and when it is to be submitted.
Take initiative:
I generally identify some opportunities where I can give my best in order to attain the
goals in an effectual ways. For example: If sports events has organised at school than basket ball
coach ask that who will be interested to become captain of basket ball team. At that time I take
initiative and give my name for that.
Coordination:
I have coordination skill due to this if any festival is celebrated at school. I was the team
leader of coordination group and manage festival effectually so that it will memorised for longer
time.
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As a company manager I can utilise scientific approach as it supports the person needs
like newly joined workers has requirements of training so that it can do their work effectually.
This approach is accurate as this is important to examine the requirement. Manager perform a
role of leaders within organisation as this guide as well as instruct the employees so that it can do
well according to the wants and desire of company.
Contingency theory:
This theory refers that the leaders effectiveness is contingent and it totally depends on
situation. There is no permanent theory or best theory of leadership, all it depends on situation.
According to this theory the leaders are best only when they adapt or fit situation accordingly.
This does not suggest that leader adapt a specific theory and than work according to pre set goals
and objectives. There are various contingent situation which is faced by the organisation like
restructuring so in these kind of situation any theory does not work. The leaders have to analyse
present situation and than they have to work according to situational analysis. This will help
leaders to achieve their goals and objectives in adverse situations also (Antonakis and Day eds.,
2017.).
Transactional:
Transactional leadership theory states about the someone who values order and pre set
structures. Under this theory leaders command their subordinates like they commanding military
operations. This theory is best fitted in situation where people are considered as self motivated
and self driven. As when there are more mature people who knows how to handle the different
situation where leader can use transactional approach.
I personally learned from my previous experience which leadership plays a vital role for
succeeds and growth of organisation. The good leader contribute to maximum level for growth
of organisation. I have some different characteristics which allows me to become an effective
leader. During my school days I was appointed as a class representative which requires some
quality of leadership such as initiation, confidence and communicator etc. So all these qualities
helped me to become a representative of class. According to me leadership concept helps leaders
to understand leadership and importance of leaders for an organisation. The concept also shows
the path for attaining organisational goals and objectives. As per my opinion the leaders are not
born because all the qualities of leaders can be developed by an individual which can make an
individual a better leader. .
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CONCLUSION
In the conclusion it can be said that leaders and managers are an integral part of every
organisation which helps company to achieve goals. The leaders have some of skills which make
them a leader. There are various leadership theories which can be adopted by leaders in order to
motivate their subordinates and followers. Qualities of leaders can be developed by any
individual which states that leaders are not born they are made. In an organisation leaders and
management have different work but they have same objective to fulfil.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Antonakis, J. and Day, D. V. eds., 2017. The nature of leadership. Sage publications.
Bolman, L. G. and Deal, T. E., 2017. Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership.
John Wiley & Sons.
Breevaart, K. and et. al., 2014. Daily transactional and transformational leadership and daily
employee engagement. Journal of occupational and organizational psychology. 87(1).
pp.138-157.
Cashman, K., 2017. Leadership from the inside out: Becoming a leader for life. Berrett-Koehler
Publishers.
Chen, X. P. And et. al., 2014. Affective trust in Chinese leaders: Linking paternalistic leadership
to employee performance. Journal of management. 40(3). pp.796-819.
Collinson, D., 2014. Dichotomies, dialectics and dilemmas: New directions for critical
leadership studies?. Leadership. 10(1). pp.36-55.
Covin, J. G. and Slevin, D.P., 2017. The entrepreneurial imperatives of strategic leadership.
Strategic entrepreneurship: Creating a new mindset, pp.307-327.
Daft, R. L., 2014. The leadership experience. Cengage Learning.
Haslam, S. A. and Turner, J. C., 2014. Social identity, organizations, and leadership. In Groups
at work (pp. 39-80). Psychology Press.
Kouzes, J. M., 2014. The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership-Technology (Vol. 292). John
Wiley & Sons.
Liden, R. C. And et. al., 2014. Servant leadership and serving culture: Influence on individual
and unit performance. Academy of Management Journal. 57(5). pp.1434-1452.
Robertson, J., 2016. Coaching leadership: Building educational leadership capacity through
partnership. New Zealand Council for Educational Research. PO Box 3237, Wellington
6140 New Zealand.
Rosenbach, W. E., 2018. Contemporary issues in leadership. Routledge.
Shamir, B., Arthur, M. B. and House, R. J., 2018. The rhetoric of charismatic leadership: A
theoretical extension, a case study, and implications for research. In Leadership Now:
Reflections on the Legacy of Boas Shamir (pp. 31-49). Emerald Publishing Limited.
Verba, S., 2015. Small groups and political behavior: A study of leadership (Vol. 1289).
Princeton University Press.
Ward, J., 2016. Keeping the family business healthy: How to plan for continuing growth,
profitability, and family leadership. Springer.
Online
Leadership. 2018. [ Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_41.htm>
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