Leadership Skills
IntroductionWhat is Leadership? Is it an inborn quality or can be developed? Does giving orders mean Leadership? Are you a good leader if people do not follow you willingly? A huge bunch of questions opens up as we start talking about leaders and leadership skills.
A leader is like a thumb in the fist, without whom the team is incomplete and he is the one who knows to make a fist out of the fingers. Although a leader is the power of any team, a good leader is the one whom people are ready to follow willingly. It is a quality which can be developed over the time. A leader doesn’t simply pass the command, he leads by examples.
The discussion is on. Please feel free to add your comments and be a part of the discussion which will be advantageous to all professionals. Leadership skills are an important aspect from a professional and managerial perspective.
Leadership skills includes:- How well can you lead a team?
- How fast can you take decisions?
- How well can you encourage the team?
Points to remember:- A good leader must know how to communicate well
- Good Leadership skills means to ensure that the team believes and follows one goal.
- Every member needs to get equal attention. Partiality must be avoided
- Motivating the members to achieve the goal is important
- Leadership is not about dominating. Hence giving a chance to other members of leading at times is essential.
- Responsibilities should be fairly delegated.
- Practice what you preach! A good leader must possess all qualities he tries to inculcate in his team.
- Leadership skills involve evaluating risks, forecasting and taking instant decisions.
Why Leadership skills?
- Good leadership skills invite business opportunities
- Good leaders may make others feel important and needed. This increases productivity.
- They help to build relationships and rapport
- Good leaders can communicate effectively.
- Leaderships skills can solve problems instantly
Different types of leaderships
1. Autocratic Leader - He is more of a dictator who doesn’t listen to anyone.
Advantage- Has total authority
- Can make all decisions
Disadvantage- May demotivate other employees.
- Other talented employees may not have a decision power.
2. Bureaucratic Leader - Goes by the book to ensure no law or rule is broken
Advantage- An organized way of leadership
- Used more in hospitals, banks and government offices to ensure security and go by law.
Disadvantage- Has no scope of exploring new arenas
- There may be instances of frustration and anxiety to follow too many rules.
3. Transformational Leader - this leader tries to inspire the team.
Advantage- Motivates team
- Always looking for ideas to become efficient
Disadvantage- May be misunderstood by others.
- The leader may sound commanding at times.
4. Laissez-faire Leader - leaves most of the decisions on the employees
Advantage- Allows other team members to speak and take decisions
- Needs little supervision
Disadvantage- Results in lack of control and higher costs.
- Because of lack of supervision may lead to failures.
5. Democratic Leader - Goes by the team. This leader is open to suggestions and decisions from other members.
Advantage- Motivates team because the leader listens to the team.
- In case of difficulty the completing team acts like leaders and takes part in the decisions.
Disadvantage- Not suited when quick decisions are required
- Since most of the team members are participating, it may lead to a chaos.
