Chapter 15 Leadership

Question 1

What is the purpose of leadership

Answer 1

• Leadership involves setting a clear/sometimes new direction and vision
• Employees will want to follow good leader and will respond positively to him
• The best managers are good leaders of people - A manager is not always a leader
• A leader is not only focused on the purpose but also on the employee

Question 2

Characteristics of a employee

Answer 2

• Desire to succeed with self-confidence that they will succeed
• Innovative - Thinks above and beyond and encourages others to do so
• Incisive mind - Able to get to the point every time
• Inspirational - so others want to follow
• Empathy and emotional intelligence

Similar to a entrepreneur

Question 3

Leaderships positions in the business:

Answer 3

Directors

• Are elected by shareholders
• Responsible for a specific department
• Recruits senior staff in his department
• Meets the objectives set by the board of directors

Managers

• Responsible for employees, resources and decision making
• Have authority over staff
• Direct, motivate and discipline

Supervisors

• Watch over the work of the day
• Help staff

Workers representative

• Elected by the workers either as trade union representatives or on workers council

Question 4

Ways managers can deal with informal leaders

Answer 4

• Appoint as formal leader
• Cut them out
• Work with them in a trusting relationship to motivate staff to achieve the aims of the business
• It is unwise to ignore the potential influence of such a leader

Question 5

Great Man/Person Theory

Answer 5

• The ability to lead is inherent and can not be taught
• Leaders are just born with the right traits and abilities for leading: charisma, intellect, confidence, communication skills and social skills
• Leaders are viewed as heroic, intelligent and destined to rise to leadership when the situation arises
• Term ‘great man’ due to leadership being originally reserved for males

Question 6

Trait Theory

Answer 6

• People are born with traits required for leadership or they are not
• Trait theory believes that Psychological make up is important eg. Their upbringing and exposure
• Used to predict whether someone will make an effective leader

Question 7

Behavior Theory

Answer 7

The theory suggests that effective leadership is the result of many skills learned

• Individuals need three primary skills to lead their followers:
• Technical skill: A leaders knowledge of the process or technique
• Human skill: Able to interact with other individuals
• Conceptional skill: conceptional skills enable the leader to create ideas for running the organization smoothly

Question 8

Contingency Theory

Answer 8

Successful Leaders can adapt their leadership style to different situations

• Emphasises different variables in a specific setting, that determines the style of leadership best suited
• Changing situations that can create a need for a different approach to leadership include:
• Levels of experience and maturity of the subordinates (High = Relaxed approach to leadership)
• Relationship between leader and follower (If positive then the leader has established a foundation to work together)
• Amount of time needed to complete a task (If limited then autocratic leadership is suitable)
• The level of power of the leaders position (More powerful the leader = subordinate will want to impress and perform exceptionally)

Question 9

Power and Influence Theory

Answer 9

Focused on how leaders can motivate their team by using their power/influence

*Sources of personal power:

• Expert knowledge of the leader - The greater the knowledge, Greater chance to be followed
• Charm of the leader - Greater the personal appeal, Greater chance of subordinate wanting to be led

Connected to Transactional Leadership Leaders who implement this style focus on specific tasks and use rewards and punishments to motivate followers

Question 10

Transformational Leadership Theory

Answer 10

• Style of leadership has much greater focus on leading rather than managing workers
• Most effective during periods of significant change
• Attempt to transform culture if the organization
• New culture should focus on employees satisfaction, productivity and working for success through motivation

This leader demonstrates:

• Charisma in influencing subordinates
• Inspiring workers towards leader’s vision
• Stimulating the working environment by offering challenges
• Understanding individual needs

Question 11

4 Competencies to develop - Emotional Intelligence

Answer 11

• Self-awareness: Knowing what we feel ourselves and using that to guide decision making, having a realistic view of our own abilities and having self-confidence
• Self-management: Being able to recover quickly from stress, being trustworthy and conscientious, showing initiative and self-control
• Social awareness: sensing what others are feeling, being able to take their views into account, being able to get on with a wide range of people
• Social skills: Handling emotions in relationships well, accurately understanding different social situations, using social skills to persuade, negotiate and lead

Question 12

5 Components of Emotional Intelligence

Answer 12

1. Self awareness: Be aware of your emotions as they arise
2. Self Regulation: Manage your impulses, soothe yourself & respond appropriately
3. Self motivation: Delay gratification, stay motivated and persistent in face of setbacks
4. Empathy: Understand others feelings, needs, wants amd concerns
5. Relationship management: Manage other’s emotions, organize groups & negotiate solutions