Leadership

Leadership

Leadership is the ability to influence a group toward the achievement of goals.

Leadership may be interpreted as getting others to follow

Or getting people to do things willinglyOr the use of authority in decision makingLeadership is the moral and intellectual

ability to visualise and work for what is best for the company and its employee

What is leadership?

Leading people

Influencing people

Commanding people

Guiding people

Importance of Leadership

Co-ordination of the activities of people and

Guiding the efforts towards the goals and objectives

To reduce employee dissatisfactionTo promote team work and integration

of individual and group goalsTo feel the sensitivity of change and

uncertainty on peopleKey to large scale improvement

Managers vs. Leaders

Managers Focus on

systems and structures

AdministersMaintainsOrganizeDirectControl

LeadersFocus on peopleInnovatesInspireInfluenceMotivateDevelopesShape entities

Leadership Approaches

1) Qualities or Traits Approach : Assumes leaders are born and not

made. Leadership consists of certain inherited characteristics or personality traits. Focuses attention on the person in the job and not on the job itself.

Leadership Approaches

2) The Functional or Group Approach :

Attention is focussed on the functions and responsibilities of leadership, what the leader actually does and the nature of the group. Assumes leadership skills can be learned and developed.

Leadership Approaches

3) Leadership as a Behavioural Category : The kinds of behaviour of people in

leadership positions and the influence on group performance. Draws attention to range of possible managerial behaviour and importance of leadership style.

Leadership Approaches

4) The Situational Approach and Contingency Model : The importance of the situation.

Interactions between the variables involved in the leadership situation and patterns of behaviour. Belief that there is no single style of leadership appropriate to all situations.

Types of Leaders

Directive leadership : Involves letting subordinates know

exactly what is expected of them and giving specific directions. Subordinates are expected to follow rules and regulations.

Types of Leaders

Supportive Leadership : Involves a friendly and approachable

manner and displaying concern for the needs and welfare of subordinates.

Types of Leaders

Participative Leadership : Invovles consulting with

subordinates and the evaluation of their opinions and suggestions before the manager makes the decision.

Types of Leaders

Achievement – oriented leadership :

Involves setting challenging goals for subordinates, seeking improvement in their performance and showing confidence in subordinates ability to perform well.

Variables affecting Leadership Effectiveness

The characteristics of managerThe personal credibility of the managerThe characteristics of the subordinateThe type and nature of organization The technology systems of communicationThe nature and influence of the external

environmentThe social structure and culture of the

organization

How Far Can You Go?

•Global Leadership Awards 2008 A major draw at NASSCOM 2008 will remain the Global Leadership Awards, which will spotlight and applaud some of the most shining names in the business and technology worlds. The Awards will go to these path-breakers and innovators who have distinguished themselves in areas such thought leadership, business innovation and IT usage.

•The 2007 Global Leadership Award Winners

Business Leadership Award Mr. Sam Palmisano, Chairman, IBM. Global Indian Award Prof. Amartya Sen.

Innovative Business Model Award Mr. Patrick Snowball, Group ExecutiveDirector, Aviva General Insurance.

Leadership Best Practices

Rewarding performers not only on their financial results, but various other factors.

Top management meet often to discuss methods to improve their business performance. Meetings and surveys are conducted at regular intervals to include employees in decision-making for company strategy and policies

Understanding that recognition by peers is an important motivation, the best leaders showed recognition to their performing employees through different methods, such as commendation letters, putting their names on the company’s intranet newsletters, commending in the presence of people respected by the performers and giving small gifts. Formal procedures were also in place in some companies for such assessment and rewarding of performance

Leadership Best PracticesPutting in place a system that allows employees

to work on improvement besides providing them the needed resources. In addition facilitators who work with the employees on personal improvement programmes were engaged

Involvement of top management in setting up Customer Relationship management as well as Supplier Relationship Managements through initiatives such as interactive meetings, two-way visits between the company and the suppliers and customers. The Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) approach was introduced by top-notch companies to build a closer relationship throughout the entire supply chain.