Leadership Skills and Theories

This assignment examines the essential skills and competencies required for successful leadership. It delves into different leadership theories such as contingency, situational, trait, and transactional leadership, highlighting their practical applications within organizations. The report also emphasizes the importance of personal and professional leadership development through strategic planning to achieve organizational goals.

Personal and Professional
Development Plan

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
TASK 1......................................................................................................................................3
Leadership skills and characteristics......................................................................................3
Theories and concepts of leadership style..............................................................................5
Design professional and personal leadership development plan ...........................................6
Different ethics and needs for developing leadership ...........................................................9
Identify the leadership development needs and ethical and business challenges ................11
CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
A professional leadership can be defined as a process to inspire and guide group of
people in order to achieve organisational goals. Sainsbury’s is the 3rd largest chain of
supermarket in United Kingdom. It has 16.9% share of supermarket sector. it was founded by
John James Sainsbury in 1869. It sales various products with high quality at affordable pri
ces. This report will show the importance of leadership in the company. Leaders have various
skills like decision making skills, effective communication skill and ability to solve problems
at their own. All these abilities and skills help them to motivate their employees in their
career development and gain their determined goals (AnRaelin, 2016). This report will also
show the development plan of leaders which shows them their strengths and weaknesses by
which they can improve their abilities and also remove their weaknesses which becomes
barrier in their growth of success.
TASK 1
Leadership skills and characteristics
Leader is the person who lead and guide the group of people in an organization. Who
motivates all the members of the company in an effective manner with the aim of achieving
the determined goals of the company. There are various skills that is important for leaders in
order to operate business and gain company’s vision. Some of the skills that is required for
me as a leader of Sainsbury's retailer.
Communication skills: Communication plays an important role because it solves
various problems which arises at workplace. It is important to clearly define and explain all
the information related company among staff members. Communication not only include
informing but also it involves active listening, articulating. As a leader it is important for me
to listen employees needs and issues. When leader listen them carefully then they feel
respected and valued. This directly helps to the company as it decreases labour turnover.
Motivation: Motivation also plays an important role in the company. As a leader it is
essential to have this skill in order to motivate their employees towards achieving company’s
goals and objectives (Phaneuf and et.al., 2016). For motivating their employees, they adopts
different ways of motivating such as rewards and recognition to those employees who put
their extra efforts and do all the tasks in an effective manner. It also provides responsibilities
for contributing more in the company and for increasing their morale and self esteem.
Motivation includes convincing, providing rewards, team building, thanking staff etc.

Problem solving: Problem solving is another main skill that is important for leader of
Sainsbury’s to have. There are various problems and issues arises in the company which need
to be solved in an effective manner and at the right time. When a leader solve problems
related staff members then they try to solve that problem step by step. It is good for not only
members of the company but also for the company as it helps them in decision making
process and removing obstacles in the growth of their company. It also makes employees able
to complete their projects and tasks on the given time.
Integrity: Integrity behaviours and skill can be defined as to be loyal, honest and
truthfulness. When leader have this skill then they behave and treat with their all the
employees with equally. They do not discriminate among employees on the basis of ability,
characteristics, gender and age. This type of leaders seeks and focus to hire employees who
possess a strong sense of integrity.
Positivity: Positivity skill is also important because it helps in conflict management
and encouraging employees of Sainsbury’s. Positivity skills and behaviour of leader helps in
creating a healthy and happy working environment. When employees feel happy and work in
this positive environment then they are more likely to work productively and effectively.
They also have the willingness to put in long hours when required.
Ability to adapt to be changes: The another skill which is important in a leader is to
have the ability to adapt situations that need to be change. To adapt changes without
influencing is very important for the leader of Sainsbury’s. They have to faces many
problems due to changes in external factors such as political, economical, environmental and
social. These factors have positive and negative impact so for removing this type of situations
it is essential to have this ability. innovative leaders also try to focus on bring new ideas to
produce products and services and offer them to their customers. It makes able the company
to being in a competition.
Ability to teach and mentor: The main purpose and responsibility of a leader is to
lead and mentor to their employees. Every type of employee need some training and guidance
in order to remove the chances of mistakes and errors from their work (Mumford and et.al.,
2017). Effectively teaching to employees and guide tell them to ways of doing work
increases productivity of them as well as of the company.
Dependability: The ability to take decisions on own basis and solve problems at their
own is important for leaders. In Sainsbury’s it is not possible for the manager to oversee all
the situations and operations and also handle all situations so it is essential for the leader to
have dependability. Employee can also rely and depend on this type of leader. It also

motivates all members of the staff to take decision on their own basis and work through
difficulties.
Confidence: For becoming an effective leader it is important for them to have
confidence enough. If leader is confident then all employees follow their instruction very
carefully. On the other hand if leader is not sure about their decisions and actions then their
followers and employees will not follow them. This ability shows other people that they have
enough and vast knowledge of the particular topic.
Strengths: As a leader of Sainsbury's i have some
strengths which helps me in leading
employees in an effective manner. I have
good communication skills by which i can
listen employees' issues and problems
carefully. The another strength is i am
independable which makes me able to take
decisions at own.
Weaknesses: I have some weaknesses also which becomes
barrier in achieving golas of the company.
My time management skills are not good and
it is my biggest weakness. I also do not have
enough technical knowledge.
Opportunities: I have opportunity as sustainable work
practices that improve future scope. Diversity
is work process.
Threats: Limited time management skill reduce the
ability to develop my potential skills. Due to
lack of technocal knowledge it creates more
pressure of competitors.
Theories and concepts of leadership style
There are various theories and concepts of leadership that helps them in identifying
the ways of doing things in different types of situation. Different theories of leadership

includes trait theory, contingency theory, situational theory, transformational theory,
transactional theory and so on.
Contingency theory: Contingency theory believes and claims that there is no other
way to handle situation and take decision. As a leaders it is important to follow this theory
because it is the best way of taking decisions and handling all type of situations of the
company. It also said that effectiveness of leader is contingent upon with their style matches
with current situations (Pomery and et.al., 2016). With the helps of this theory i can improve
good personal skills always focus on maintaining relationship and rely upon that relationship
with others for accomplishing tasks.
Situational theory: Situational theory of leadership is just opposite of contingency
theory. This theory believes and states that there is no single best way as it all depends upon
situation of the company. According to the situation, as a leader of Sainsbury's i need to to
adopt the ways according to situations. There is no single way of handling all type of
situation. According to this theory i can easily adapt situation and can match their style
accordingly like the nature of the group and the type of task etc.
Trait theory: This theory of leadership identifies the behavioural characteristics
which are generally common in all types of leader. This theory believes and assump that
leader is born with the special trait and characteristic which make them able to lead other
people in an effective manner. It is based on the trait and characteristics which i possess and
which makes me able to handle situations. As a successful leaders i have various traits which
make me differ from other leaders (Luo and et.al., 2016).
Transactional theory: This type of leaders guides their employees of the company by
rewards and punishment. According to situation and with the help of this theory I can lead
employees. According to this i need to follows common style of management like
controlling, motivating staffing etc. For example, if an employees does all things according to
leader’s guidance then they are rewarded and if they do not follow guidance then they are
punished.
Path goal theory: Path goal theory is based in specific leader’s style that best suit in
situations and environment of the company in order to achieve goals of the company. The
main goal of adopting this theory is to motivate, empower and satisfy employees' all needs by
which they can become more productive and effective towards their work and can contribute
in achieving determined goals of the company. It make me able to find the ways of
motivating employees.

Design professional and personal leadership development plan
Personal leadership development plans guide people via their careers which needs
determining vision, setting objectives with clear timelines, committing to particular activities
for accomplishing them and re-evaluation actions plans at the day-to-day intervals. Towards
clear objectives but also understanding which plans are worthless but planning is everything.
Personal leadership development plans are an appropriate document which is meant to open
up chances, beget more impact and lead to larger overall satisfactions (Alshammari,
Almutairi and Thuwaini, 2015). It is the very important in relation to characteristics of
leaders which are they know their business and their people. There are different building
blocks such as set of clear objectives and priorities, maintain on realism and rewards
achievers and enhance capacities, leadership can attach to these building block of behaviour
together. Some leaders keep tab by clearing and updating personal leadership development
plans.
Leadership is the capability to translate visions into reality through planning. The
thought of developing personal leadership development plan can small piece unequal
especially if they are already in leadership position in the Sainsbury. As leaders, I have
enough technical knowledge and poor time management skills. Personal leadership
development plan involve different stages such as:
Step: 1 Define general great leaders
first of all, I will define general great leaders. It is the best manner to make leadership
development plan to describe inspiration great leaders. It makes leadership skills list of
qualities which they think make up traits, capabilities and experience of good leaders
(Johnson, 2017). There are mainly three skills which involves honest, ethical behaviour,
clearly communication vision and utilizing the creativity and perception to find the difficult
and changeable conditions.
Step: 2 Take self-Assessment
I will take self assessment in relation to improve the weak skills and knowledge. It is
the next stage which determines the core competencies. These are personality traits like
adventurous, observant and impulsive. Leaders have more insight into personal styles and be
able to be better answer who are they? That is personal leadership development procedure.
Step: 3 Identify the core value
I will identify the core value. It is the next stage in which identified core competencies
which involves social intelligence, emotional ability, political skills etc. It is time to get into
details and determine core values. Core values are principles utilise to make judgements and

determine integrity and ethics (Nie and Lämsä, 2015). There are many values which are
essentials such as advancement, authority, balance, competency, creativity, self-respect,
responsibility and personal development.
Step: 4 Personal Vision Statement
I will become my personal vision statement. A personal vision statement involved my
personal traits and core values as leader. The personal vision statement will become personal
foundation which is physical reminder. By outlining vision, leaders will have look back on
when it comes to improve goals and write the actions plan.
Step: 5 Analysis what other thinks?
I will analysis that what other thinks about me. It is being great leader is not just about
think makes en effective leader. Other people such industry, peers and those lead which needs
to also think effective leader. If the personal traits, core values and personal mission
statement of leader settled on align with other recently think of both and leaders in general in
more inquires (Dyllick, 2015).
Step: 6 Identify current and lacking leadership abilities
I will identify current and lacking skills as leaders. In order to that, lack of time
management skills and technical knowledge. In this stage, writing leadership qualities of
every leader can possess which involve personality traits, core values and personal visions.
All this reflection enables to achieve this next stage, enhancing on further defining the
abilities required to become definition of an ideal leader. In which, identify the skills such as
Excel, communication, delegating etc. as well as traits like risk-adverse, introverted etc.
Step: 7 Set goals
I will set objectives and goals for developing the skills and knowledge. All this prior
self-analysis and research come into play. Utilising the prioritised personal leadership
developed in from above stage. The SMART goals help to build the relationship with
workers and consumers, allowing workers to make decisions at the level of hierarchy and
introducing the financial controls. SMART goals stand for specific, measurable, attainable,
realistic and timely (Bolden, 2016). Also, this SMART goal help to improve time
management skills and technical knowledge of leader.
Step: 8 Action plan
I will create action plan for developing my wak areas as leaders. It is the next stage is
to make action plan for accomplish them by leader. The action plan lay out the particular
stage which is taken by leaders, utilization of resource of them. It is the important for

achieving the objectives and goals. In relation to importance, it will take to accomplish
objective.
Different ethics and needs for developing leadership
In order to that, after desgining the personal and professional leadership development
plan, leaders can follow different ethics and faced various challenges of business which help
to them for becoming great leader. In order to that, there are many needs and ethics for
leadership. Ethics means to describes and appropriate principles and morals according to the
individual and society at large. Ethics provides as guidelines for analysing what is good or
bad in specific scenario (Charles Jr, Schmidheiny and Watts, 2017). Correlating ethics with
leadership, they find that ethics are all about the identity and roles of leaders. In this context,
ethics are essential to leadership. A leader drives and affects the followers or subordinates to
accomplish the common objectives. Leaders can utilise the ethics and traits for influencing
their behaviour which also help to achieving the objectives of Sainsbury. It is ethical job of
leader to treat their subordinates with respect as each of them which has unique personality.
There are many ethics for helping to be ethical leadership such as:
Dignity and respectfulness:
An ethical leader must not utilise their followers as medium to accomplish their
personal objectives. They can respect their feelings, decisions and values. Respecting the
subordinates involves listening effectively to them, being concerned to them and also being
open-minded in hearing opposing viewpoints (Alshammari, Almutairi and Thuwaini, 2015).
Leaders can utilise the ethics and traits for influencing their behaviour which also help to
achieving the objectives of Sainsbury.
Serving other:
Leaders serve other. An ethical leader can place their follower’s interest ahead of their
interests within the Sainsbury. They must perform in effective manner which is always
fruitful for their subordinates. This can help to leaders for achieving the personal and
professional objectives. Leaders can utilise the ethics and traits for influencing their
behaviour which also help to achieving the objectives of Sainsbury.
Justice:
Leader is always fair and just. An ethical leader must treat all their subordinates
equally. There is no personal bias. Some subordinates are followed differently; the ground for
differential treatment can be fair, clear and built on morality (Johnson, 2017). Leaders can
utilise the ethics and traits for influencing their behaviour which also help to achieving the
objectives of Sainsbury.

Community building:
Leaders develop community. An ethical leader considers their own objectives and
their purposes of subordinates while followers are making efforts to accomplish the
objectives appropriate for both of them. Leader understands to the community interests. They
do not overlook the intention of subordinates. Leader works harder for the community
objectives. Leaders can utilise the ethics and traits for influencing their behaviour which also
help to achieving the objectives of Sainsbury.
Honesty:
Leader is loyal and honest. Honesty is important to be ethical and effective leader.
Honest leaders can be always relied and depended upon. They always earn respect of their
subordinates. Honest leader presents the figure and conditions truly and entirely. They do not
misrepresent any facts (Nie and Lämsä, 2015).
It is the important to the leadership is all about values. If leader have lack of
awareness and concern for own personal values, so that it is impossible to be leader.
Leadership has moral and ethical aspects. These ethics determine leadership. Leaders can
utilise the ethics and traits for influencing their behaviour which also help to achieving the
objectives of Sainsbury.
Needs for developing the leadership:
There are many essential competencies which can make successful leader. Such as:
Engage motivation to develop: It is necessary to engage motivation for developing
leadership. It is also needed to motivation to develop leadership competencies. This can help
to achieve the personal and professional objectives and goals within the Sainsbury.
Assess strengths and development needs: It is necessary to assess strengths which
are starting point of all development programmes. In relation to, leaders can also get feedback
about leadership strengths and development needs through asking co-workers (Charles Jr,
Schmidheiny and Watts, 2017). This can help to achieve the personal and professional
objectives and goals within the Sainsbury.
Core competencies leaders often need: The core competencies are often needs for
developing the leadership. This can help to achieve the personal and professional objectives
and goals within the Sainsbury.
Developing social and cognitive skills: Effective leaders need to be smart which they
have high IQ. (Nie and Lämsä, 2015) This can help to achieve the personal and professional
objectives and goals within the Sainsbury.

Developing emotional skills: A great leader also requires to be emotional and
intelligent. Emotional intelligence is the ability to read other. This can help to achieve the
personal and professional objectives and goals within the Sainsbury.
Set development objectives: It is essential to set great development goals regardless
of the competencies which leaders are trying to develop. It can be SMART objectives set by
leaders (Bolden, 2016). This can help to achieve the personal and professional objectives and
goals within the Sainsbury.
Identify the leadership development needs and ethical and business challenges
Ethical leadership:
It is possible to lose sight of what stands for. Leaders can become more directed on
objectives and worry less about ethical standards. Growth can create difficult for ensuring
that all of workers of Sainsbury follow regulations and demonstrate mission, vision and
values (Dyllick, 2015). There are many ways of overcoming of challenges to ethical
leadership which will not aid maintain goodwill with public and stakeholder, but potentially
save serious difficulties in the upcoming.
Consistency:
It is the main challenge of ethical leadership which is ability to consistently adhere to
the regulations and setting up business. It is the following the ethical standard provides as an
inspiration to workers involving which stand by core values. If the leader expects employees
to treat everyone with respect, they will not take seriously (Alshammari, Almutairi. and
Thuwaini, 2015). Leaders can utilise the ethics and traits for influencing their behaviour
which also help to achieving the objectives of Sainsbury.
Policies:
Ethics can be difficult. Leader need to write clear policies in kind of mission
statement, rules, regulations and practices to ensure the clarity. From the moment, leaders are
hired workers require written copies of the above policies. Leaders can utilise the ethics and
traits for influencing their behaviour which also help to achieving the objectives of Sainsbury.
Environment:
It is also called workplace culture and atmosphere which can be challenge to ethical
leadership. Workers who can notice serious ethical problems can be afraid to speak out of
fear of being disliked and finished in oppressive atmosphere. This refers that need to recruit
middle and senior managers carefully (Johnson, 2017). Leaders can utilise the ethics and
traits for influencing their behaviour which also help to achieving the objectives of Sainsbury.
Gray Areas:

Ethical leadership can be particularly difficult when faced with moral gray areas such
as lack of time management skills and technical knowledge. Leaders ready to enhance but
new safety laws need to update the equipment of Sainsbury which is measured cost which is
money (Nie and Lämsä, 2015). Leaders can utilise the ethics and traits for influencing their
behaviour which also help to achieving the objectives of Sainsbury.
CONCLUSION
This report has summarised that leaders have many of skills and competencies such as
communication skills, motivation, problem solving, integrity and ability to adopt the changes
within the firm. It can be concluded that theories and concepts of leadership which involves
contingency, situational, trait and transactional utilised by leaders in the firm. It can be
discussed that designing personal and professional leadership plan which involves various
stages help to achieving the objectives and goals for both personal and professional.

REFERENCES
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