Chapter 2 – Leadership

Definitions on Leadership

Leadership is not a person or a position. It is a complex moral relationship between people, based on trust,
obligation, commitment, emotion, and a shared vision of the good.

Leadership is that process in which one person sets the purpose or direction for one or more other persons
and gets them to move along together with him or her and with each other in that direction with
competence and full commitment.

Leadership is the accomplishment of a goal through the direction of human assistants. A leader is one who
successfully marshals his human collaborators to achieve particular ends.

Leadership is a communication process of maximizing people potential and influencing people to achieve
a shared goal, in a given situation (Lo, 2008).

Leadership is a capacity in the human community to shape its future.( Peter Senge)

Quotes on Leadership

“Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is
leaning against the right wall.” - Stephen R. Covey

“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in
themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish.” - Sam Walton

“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.” - Henry
Kissinger

“The only safe ship in a storm is leadership”. - Faye Wattleton

“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority”. - Kenneth Blanchard

“Good leaders must first become good servants.” - Robert Greenleaf

Characteristics of Successful and Effective Leadership

Among personality traits that they found were determination, emotional stability, diplomacy, self-
confidence, personal integrity, originality, and creativity. Intellectual abilities included judgmental ability,
knowledge, and verbal communication ability. In addition, physical traits cannot be ignored, such as age,
height, weight, and physical attractiveness.

Leadership in a Multicultural Setting

One major situational factor is the cultural values of the followers. People who have different cultural norms
and values require different leadership styles. In a highly collective society such as Japan, the Philippines,

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Guatemala, or Ecuador, where the social bond among members is very strong and people look out for one
another, a strong patriarch at the top of the social hierarchy tends to emerge as an effective leader.

Leadership and Management

John Kotter (1988) distinguishes leadership from management. Effective management carefully plans the
goal of an organization, recruits the necessary staff, organizes them, and closely supervises them to make
sure that the initial plan is executed properly. Successful leadership goes beyond management of plans and
tasks. It envisions the future and sets a new direction for the organization. Successful leaders mobilize all
possible means and human resources; they inspire all members of the organization to support the new
mission and execute it with enthusiasm. When an organization faces an uncertain environment, it demands
strong leadership. On the other hand, when an organization faces internal operational complexity, it
demands strong management.

Leadership Styles

The three major styles of leadership are:

• Authoritarian or autocratic
• Participative or democratic
• Delegative or Free Reign

Authoritarian or autocratic - This style is used when leaders tell their employees what they want done and
how they want it accomplished, without getting the advice of their followers. Some of the appropriate
conditions to use it are when one has all the information to solve the problem, one is short on time, and
ones employees are well motivated.

Participative or democratic - This style involves the leader including one or more employees in the decision
making process (determining what to do and how to do it). However, the leader maintains the final decision
making authority. Using this style is not a sign of weakness; rather it is a sign of strength that your
employees will respect.

Delegative or Free Reign - In this style, the leader allows the employees to make the decisions. However,
the leader is still responsible for the decisions that are made. This is used when employees are able to
analyze the situation and determine what needs to be done and how to do it. One cannot do everything!
One must set priorities and delegate certain tasks.

The role of the Leadership

In an organization where there is faith in the abilities of formal leaders, employees will look towards the
leaders for a number of things. During drastic change times, employees will expect effective and sensible
planning, confident and effective decision-making, and regular, complete communication that is timely.
Also during these times of change, employees will perceive leadership as supportive, concerned and
committed to their welfare, while at the same time recognizing that tough decisions need to be made.

Poor leadership means an absence of hope, which, if allowed to go on for too long, results in an organization
becoming completely nonfunctioning.

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Leadership and Service

Leaders are people who solve problems. The best leaders are successful because they look at problems in
a multifaceted way, combining entrepreneurial skills with the ability to collaborate. They inspire confidence
in their followers and act as “shock absorbers” when things get tough. Whether in the private or the public
realm, leaders serve their followers through effective application of their time, ability, and perspective.

Role, Task, Responsibility, and Source of Power

• The role of a leader is to inspire and create followers who are also self leaders.
• The task of a leader is to bring about constructive and necessary change.
• The responsibility of a corporate leader is to bring about the change in a way that is responsive to the
true and long-term needs of all stakeholders.
• The greatest source of power available to a leader is the trust that derives from faithfully serving
followers.

Team leader responsibilities

• Create an environment oriented to trust, open communication, creative
 thinking, and cohesive team effort
• Provide the team with a vision of the project objectives
• Motivate and inspire team members
• Lead by setting a good example (role model) - behavior consistent with words
• Coach and help develop team members; help resolve dysfunctional behavior
• Facilitate problem solving and collaboration
• Strive for team consensus and win-win agreements
• Ensure discussions and decisions lead toward closure
• Maintain healthy group dynamics
• Intervene when necessary to aid the group in resolving issues
• Assure that the team members have the necessary education and training to
effectively participate on the team
• Encourage creativity, risk-taking, and constant improvement
• Recognize and celebrate team and team member accomplishments and
 exceptional performance

Leadership roles

A. Create an Inspiring Vision & Lead by Example

 Create an inspiring vision; establish shared values; give direction and
set stretch goals
 Manage change strategically, take risks, create change; lead change;
manage resistance to change
 Lead by example; practice what you preach; set an example, and
share risks or hardship
 Demonstrate confidence; win respect and trust without courting
Popularity

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B. Empower, Inspire, and Energize People
• Be enthusiastic; inspire and energize people; create a positive work environment
• Empower people; delegate authority; be open to ideas; have faith in the creativity of others
• Communicate openly and honestly; give clear guidelines; set clear expectations
• Empathize; be willing to discuss and solve problems; listen with understanding; support and help

C. Build and Lead a Team

• Use team approach; facilitate cooperation; involve everyone; trust ones
group; rely on their judgment
• Bring out the best in ones people; have common touch with them; coach
and provide effective feedback
• Permit group decision; help ones team reach better decisions
• Monitor progress, but don't micromanage, lead ones team; avoid close
supervision; do not over boss; do not dictate; lead team self-assessment

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 4 types of Emotional People

Type #1. The Intellectual: Intense Thinker

Intellectuals are bright articulate, incisive analysts who are most comfortable in the mind. The world is
powerfully filtered through rational thought. Known for keeping their cool in heated situations, they often
struggle with emotions, don't trust their guts, are slow to engage in anything light-hearted, sensual, or
playful.

Are you an intellectual?

Do you believe that you can think your way to any solution? When presented with a problem, do you
immediately start analyzing the pros and cons rather than noticing how it makes you feel? Do you prefer
planning to being spontaneous? Does your overactive mind prevent you from falling asleep?

If so, try this:

 Breathe. If you're mentally gridlocked simply inhale and exhale deeply, in through your nose out
through your mouth.

 Exercise. Whether you're walking, rollerblading, or lifting weights, exercise creates an acute body
awareness that relaxes a busy mind.

 Empathize. Ask yourself, "How can I respond from my heart, not just my head." Empathize before
trying to fix a problem with loved ones too quickly.

Type #2. The Empath: Emotional Sponge

Empaths are highly sensitive, loving, and supportive. They are finely tuned instruments when it comes to
emotions and tend to feel everything, sometimes to an extreme.

Are you an empath?

Have you been called "too emotional" or "overly sensitive"? If a friend is upset do you start feeling it too?

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Do you replenish your energy by being alone and tend to get exhausted in crowds? Are you sensitive to
noise, smells, and excessive talking?

If so, try this:

 Take calming mini-breaks throughout the day. Go outside for a walk, meditate in your room
alone. Focus on exhaling pent up emotions such as anxiety or fear so they don't lodge in your
body.

 Protect your sensitivities. Make a list of your top five most emotionally rattling situations, then
formulate a plan for handling them so you don't get caught in a panic. For instance, take your
own car places so you don't get trapped in social situations. (For more strategies see my previous
post, "Are You an Empath?")

Type #3. The Rock: Strong and Silent Type

Consistent, dependable, and stable they will always show up for you. You can express emotions freely
around them-they won't get upset or judge. But they often have a hard time expressing their own
feelings, and their mates are always trying to get them to express emotions.

Are you a rock?

Is it easier for you to listen than to share your feelings? Do you often feel like you are the most
dependable person in the room? Are you generally satisfied with the status quo in relationships (though
others try to draw you out emotionally)?

If so, try this:

 Stir things up. Begin to initiate emotional exchanges instead of simply responding to them.
Remember that showing emotions is a form of passion and generosity too.

 Express a feeling a day. In a daily journal, write down an emotion you're experiencing. Don't hold
back. Are you pissed off? Content? In love? Whatever you feel, bravo! Tell someone. Express the
emotion.

Type #4. The Gusher: Attuned to Emotions

Gushers are in touch with their emotions and love to share them. No one has to wonder where they're at.
Gushers are able to quickly process negativity and move on. Their downside is that they tend to share
"too much information" and over-sharing can burn people out.

Are you a gusher?

Do you get anxious if you keep your feelings in? When a problem arises is your first impulse to pick up the
phone and share? Do you have trouble sensing other people's emotional boundaries?

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If so, try this:

 Before seeking support, tune into your intuition. Spend a few quiet moments going inward to find
out what your gut says. Try to solve the situation from a calm centered place. See what flashes or
"ah-has" come to you. Take time to build your own emotional muscles.

The most important relationship you'll ever have is with yourself. If this is good, you'll be able to have
wonderful relationships with others. Knowing your emotional type provides a platform to emotionally
evolve and to become a truly powerful person.

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