What Is Leadership and Does It Apply to Project Management - Essay Example

Leadership What is leadership? Illustrate your answer with reference to academic research and personal leadership heraldry 2/26/2010 home Aims and Objectives There are two major aims and objectives of this essay. The first objective is to analyze the various leadership theories for acquainting the reader with the strengths and weaknesses of diverse theoretical positions in the leadership field. This essay is also aimed at exploring the skills and expertise that are needed to constructively participate in the development and execution of leadership. Introduction Leadership is the quality of a person through which is received the help and cooperation of others in order to accomplish common objectives and goals. Leadership is also known as an aggregate of courage, discipline, intelligence and humaneness, all these elements in isolation from each other result in complete failure of leadership ( Giddens 1984 pp. 354). So, a proper integration and synchronization of all these five factors makes a perfect leader (Sun Tzu.1998 pp 56). A theory is the philosophical underpinning of a phenomenon, quality, a process or a situation. The following theories of leadership explain as to why some of the people are successful leaders, while others are not. The theoretical framework given here under also explains the situation where some people perform like successful leaders and the others flinch away. The difference between a leader and a manager is also explained in the context of following theories. Part 1 Leadership Theories and Academic Research The different schools of thought regarding leadership have propounded various theories including the intelligence, values and norms, situations, functions and tasks, behavior and attitude, social communication and interaction, power and authority among others (Bass, B.M. & Bass, R. 2008 pp 45).These theories are described in the following paragraphs. 1. Trait Theory Trait theory is aimed at explaining the characteristics of an effective leadership. These traits are also explored by Plato in his famous book Republic as what are the qualities that differentiate between an ordinary person and a leader. It is assumed that the leadership traits are based on the characteristics possessed by the individuals (Vroom, Victor H.; Yetton, Phillip W. 1973 pp 65). “Trait Theory of Leadership” is founded on characteristics of people. In this perspective, various theories were put forth by different philosophers like Thomas Carlyle and Francis Gallon. It has been explained that the leadership is an inherited feature. So, it is believed that leaders were born and not developed with the passage of time. Both these theories had put stress that the leadership traits are rooted deep in the attributes of the leader. The main attributes pointed out by the political thinkers are dominance, integrity, intelligence, self-confidence, persistence, consistency, adaptability and social and economic status. 2. Leader Attribute Pattern Approach This model of theoretical approach is completely opposite to the trait theory. Under this approach the thinkers argue that the leadership can be better understood when the particular person is taken as an integrated totality and whole instead of summing up the individuals attributes. In simple words, this approach criticizes the trait theory and postulates that joint synchronization or combination of variance in the peoples traits can better explain and describes that the concrete differences and discrepancy in both the leader effectiveness and leader emergence (Smith, J.A., & Foti, R.J. 1998 pp 147-160). This theory transgresses the limitation of single attributes or the aggregation of multiple characteristics. 3. Behavioral theory In order to respond to the trait theory the thinkers’ ventures to chalk out a new theory based on the argument that leadership is a set of behaviors. The thinkers supported their arguments and points by evaluating the behaviors of most successful leaders and also gave description regarding different leadership styles. Some authors have taken Leadership as a very well-groomed and those having tough and positives ego (David McClelland 1996 pp45). In order to lead in effective way well groomed and high caliber values are the most useful and influential tools, perhaps these are the most essential factors required. 4- Situational and Contingency Theory This model is also one of the reactions to the trait theory of leadership. Others put the argument that a leader is produced by the time and not by any other way around (Herbert Spencer.1884). This theory gives an idea that different attributes are needed in different situations. This school of thought believes that no single trait profile of a leader exists. According to this school of thought the act of an individual mainly depends on the characteristics of that specific situation he faces (Ogbonnia, K.S. 2007 pp56). In this peculiar model it is depicted that for an effective leadership the characteristics of the followers also matters along with the attributes of the leader. The theory has defined two kinds of leaders: one is that person who completes the aimed tasks by developing good ties and relations with the working groups (relationship-oriented). And the other is the one who carry out the respective tasks themselves (task-oriented). According to Fiedler both task-oriented and relationship-oriented leaders can lead effectively when their leadership orientation best fits the situation (Fiedler, Fred E.1968 pp.78). 4. Functional Theory Functional leadership theory is a very useful and effective theory for addressing different leaders’ behaviors. This theory stresses upon the point that the leaders should always take care of important matters and issues, those issues which are vital for the effective working of groups. The functional theory has always been applied to group and team leadership, (Zaccaro, Rittman, & Marks, 2001 pp 67). However, various authors have brought into question these theories. 5. Transactional and Transformational theories These theories put forth the argument that the transactional leader (Burns J.M, 1978) is vested with the power and responsibility to keep an eye over the tasks of the team, and to give reward or punish the team for not fulfilling the assigned works. These are the opportunities that make people leaders in their roles as leaders. The transformational leader (Burns, 1978 pp67) motivates and stimulates the team to be effective and efficient. Communication is the only base and foundation for the well-determined goals of the organization or the team. This leader uses many opportunities at his disposal In order to get the task done. 6. Neo-Emergent Theory The Neo-emergent leadership theory is based on the model that says that the leader is the outcome of emergent needs. They shape into leaders by the way of information and knowledge. Now a day’s the press, media and other sources also present their own views regarding the latest development and regarding the views of the leaders (Spilling, James P. 2004 pp3–34). But, it is not necessary that the views of the press and media should coincide with the views of the leaders due to some political reasons. 7. Environmental Leadership Theory The school of thought which supports the Environmental Leadership theory uphold the argument that environmental leader is responsible for creating the psychological structure so that the employees can be helped in finding and attaining the gratification through any particular task, work or activity. The thinkers patronize their theory by saying that this theory has taken its roots from the concept that every individual has different environments. So, every individual develops according to his peculiar environment and according to his own natural disposition (Shriberg A., Shriberg D., & Kumari R., 2005 pp73-76). Part 2 Personal Leadership Heraldry Leadership is the capability of a person to motivate, stimulate, generate and solicit the co-operation of others for achievements of specific organizational objectives. Everyone is leader in his/her own way. Sociologically speaking, an individual performs multiple roles in society at the same time (Gidden 1984 pp. 354). I do leadership in my home as an elder member of the family and guide my siblings in their home work and studies. While, playing in the playground, I always prefer to captain my team and feel pride in providing leadership to my fellow players. It is worth mentioning that I am not only a good team leader but also a good team member. On the basis of my earlier experiences I expect to become a very good leader in my social life and in any organization that I would join. I am confident to become a good leader because I have inculcated the following traits in my personality. I am a patient listener, a good team member, an honest and hard working person and last but not the least a visionary person. Piece 1 The central thing in a good leader is that a leader is not only a skilled person himself but also a capable person to cultivate the inter-personal skills into the personalities of his team (Adam Smith, 1998. pp34). Unique quality of a leader is that he is a good listener. For being a good listener, a person has to be very skillful and tolerant with the ideas of other people. Those people who are short tempered and don’t accommodate and buy the ideas of other people can never become good leaders. He can not only work as a top man in his team but also as a low member of his team. They lead the others by their motivation and they are themselves self-motivated people. Piece 2 In my leadership model a leader has to be honest, tolerant, knowledgeable, visionary, hard working and motivating. As said earlier a good leader has to be an example for the others that can be copied by others. It is very necessary that the broad minded and extra ordinarily talented. Piece 3 A skillful leader is a person, who inspires his team members. The team members should feel like being owned and valued by the leader. Vision and strategic goals make good leaders. Leaders give passion, direction and guidance to their teams. Piece 4 The most important tasks of a leader are to achieve the desired goals of his organization or movement with a clear cut vision and at the least minimum cost of resources. For instance the successful military leaders are found at the forefronts against their enemies and the successful CEOs of organizations are often found dining with their junior team members. Piece 5 The core values of my model leadership are emphasized upon keeping the highest standards of vision, motivation, honesty and principled stand upon morality, ethics and organizational interests. Piece 6 The organizational groups existing in society and politics are mostly related with the leadership model of traits theory while the economic organizations contain mostly the leadership styles of leader attribute pattern approach. The religious organizational groups are related to the situation and contingency theory. Therefore, different theoretical models can be related to different organizations in the society. Piece 7 Since my basic theoretical model of leadership is functional in nature and since it is based upon the assigned roles and attributed duties to different individuals in an organizations as per their capabilities and their aptitudes, the particular organizational model that can emerge out of such a theoretical model of leadership can be an educational organization where the leaders can emerge as researches, teachers, administrators and scientists etc. Piece 8 Leadership exercised in the above manner would mean pursuing the objectives of inventions, discoveries, expansion of knowledge, creating future leaders for the society, economy, industry and politics. Giving society good and confident budding and glowing leaders in the form of young graduates coming out of such a great educational organization. Piece 9 As a leader the other organizations that I would face out of my own organization would be beaurocracy, politicians, economic organizations, church, NGOs, military and civil organizations. In this way there is a flurry of organization that I would have to interact as a good leader. Piece 10 There are various leadership models that exist today. But the one that I believe predominant over others is the functional model theory. Although, it has been widely criticized but, it has been seen over centuries that the other models are just, the offshoots, developed versions or anti-thesis of functional theory. The charisma in the personalities of leaders has always played as bacon of light for the organizations to develop but the charismatic personalities have also been functional in their own situations (Bono J.E. & Lilies R. 2006. pp. 317-334). The functional theory has always over shadowed the other theories, therefore; it is never in tandem with any status quo. Piece11. I plan to start leadership by practicing all the required traits of honesty, tolerance, forbearance, motivation, inspiration and will-full team work, good inter person relationship, personal credibility, trust worthiness and keeping myself well-composed and confident in every step of my life. References 1- Adam Smith, 1998. pp34. An inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations: oxford university press, Oxford 2- Shriberg A., Shriberg D., & Kumari R., 2005 pp73-76, Practicing Leadership Principles & Applications, 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Inc, USA 3- Thomas Carlyle and Francis Gallon1998. pp 564. In Heroes and Hero Worship (1841), Oxford University press, Oxford, 4- Ogbonnia, K.S. 2007. pp56. Dissertation. Walden University, 2007, p.27 3252463 5- Zaccaro, S. J. 2007.pp 67. Trait-based perspectives of leadership. American Psychologist, 62, 6-16. 6- Bass, B.M. & Bass, R. 2008.pp 45. Leadership, New York: Free Press. 7- Smith, J.A., & Foti, R.J. 1998.147-160 . The Leadership Quarterly, 8- Burns, J. M. (1978) pp67. Leadership. New York: Harper and Row Publishers 9- Bono J.E. & Ilies R. pp. 317-334 The Leadership Quarterly 17(4): 10- Blake, R.; Mouton, J. 1964 pp37-39.: The Key to Leadership Excellence. Houston: Gulf Publishing Co 11- Fiedler, Fred E.1968 pp.78. A theory of leadership effectiveness. McGraw-Hill: Harper and Row Publishers 12- Spencer, Herbert 1841 pp56. The Study of Sociology. New York: D. A. Appleton.  13- Vroom, Victor H.; Yetton, Phillip W. 1973. pp 65. Leadership and Decision-Making. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.  14- Giddens, A. (1984) pp. 354. The Constitution of Society. Cambridge, Polity. 15- Tzu, S. 1998.pp 56. The Art of War. Hertfordshire, Wordsworth Editions. 16- Spilling, James P. 2004.pp3–34. "Towards a theory of leadership practice". Journal of Curriculum Studies Oxford 17- David McClelland 1996 pp45 leadership and practices. Illinois University Press     Read More