Leadership
Introduction
What 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 - October 14, 2008 at 18:10 pm
by Rajmeet Ghai
Leadership skills are an important aspect from a professional and managerial
perspective.
Leadership skills includes:-
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How well can you lead a team?
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How fast can you take decisions?
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How well can you encourage the team?
Points to remember:-
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A good leader must know how to communicate well
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Good Leadership skills means to ensure that the team believes and follows one
goal.
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Every member needs to get equal attention. Partiality must be avoided
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Motivating the members to achieve the goal is important
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Leadership is not about dominating. Hence giving a chance to other members of
leading at times is essential.
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Responsibilities should be fairly delegated.
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Practice what you preach! A good leader must possess all qualities he tries to
inculcate in his team.
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Leadership skills involve evaluating risks, forecasting and taking instant
decisions.
Why Leadership skills?
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Good leadership skills invite business opportunities
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Good leaders may make others feel important and needed. This increases
productivity.
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They help to build relationships and rapport
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Good leaders can communicate effectively.
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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
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Has total authority
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Can make all decisions
Disadvantage
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May demotivate other employees.
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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
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An organized way of leadership
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Used more in hospitals, banks and government offices to ensure security and go
by law.
Disadvantage
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Has no scope of exploring new arenas
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There may be instances of frustration and anxiety to follow too many rules.
3. Transformational Leader: - this leader tries to inspire the
team.
Advantage
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Motivates team
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Always looking for ideas to become efficient
Disadvantage
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May be misunderstood by others.
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The leader may sound commanding at times.
4. Laissez-faire Leader: - leaves most of the decisions on the
employees
Advantage
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Allows other team members to speak and take decisions
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Needs little supervision
Disadvantage
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Results in lack of control and higher costs.
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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
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Motivates team because the leader listens to the team.
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In case of difficulty the completing team acts like leaders and takes part in
the decisions.
Disadvantage
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Not suited when quick decisions are required
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Since most of the team members are participating, it may lead to a chaos.
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