Leaders and Their Abilities, Essay Example

Introduction

Leadership is defined as a process that takes place when one person influences the thoughts, behaviors, actions, and attitudes of the people around him/her. Leaders use their abilities to set directions for the people around them. Leaders encourage and inspire others to reach their goals. Without the proper leadership, any organization will fail due to conflict and lack of vision. Nonetheless, leadership can be either negative or positive. Sometimes people in leadership roles exploit people for their own benefit, rather than for benefit for all parties included.  Leaders are motivated by different passions. To be effective, leaders must have several qualities. First, good leaders must be governed by ethics. Ethics is a person‘s inner ability to distinguish between what is fair and acceptable and what is not.  Next, a leader must have a vision for his/her organization. That vision should benefit more than it harms. The leader should work towards doing what is more beneficial for all its members.  Likewise, great leaders are effective communicators. In order to get a goal accomplished, a leader must be able to effectively convey what has to be done and delegate the tasks to various member of the organization. However, the leader must also show that he/she is willing to work just as hard as his/her members. Leaderships should never be confused with a position of authority. It is possible for one to be an authority figure and not be a leader. Finally, an effective leader must be responsible. Effective leaders are not just concerned about their organizations, but for their followers as well. In order to be an effective leader, one must maintain and build upon his/her strengths, rather than dwelling on his/her weaknesses; consequently motivation is the most important aspect of a great leader.

Motivation

To be an effective leader, one must be motivated to lead for good reasons.  Leaders are motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. A good leader should have a balance between the two. Leaders motivated by extrinsic aspects are concerned with monetary compensation, power, titles, public recognition, social status, and winning the trust of others. While, leaders motivated by intrinsic aspects are concerned with personal growth, doing a good job, helping others, meaningfulness, making a difference, and remaining true to their beliefs. According to chapter 6 reading, most leaders knew displayed strong achievement orientation even when they were children. Yet, leaders who are motivated by intrinsic aspects are derived from their yearning to find meaning in life. (True North, 106) However, some leaders are motivated selfishly.

Ethics/Responsibility

One’s ethics directly affects his/her motivation to be a leader. When leaders are ethical, they will ensure that ethical practices are carried out through the organization. Ethical leaders are governed by their responsibility to the members of their organization. Leaders are naturally powerful because they possess the power to influence people. However, ethical leaders will not abuse their power to influence people. For example, “When people in organizations are clear about their real (not apparent) values commitments, their purpose and meaning, they can then begin to see why their goals and outcomes are either sensible or incongruent” (Fairholm, 2009   ). Most ethical leaders are people oriented. They are aware that their decisions impact others. Consequently they use their power to server the greater good, rather than just themselves.

Vision

One’s vision for his/her organization directly affects his/her motivation to be a leader. Leaders who are motivated by intrinsic aspects have a vision for their organization that will benefit all. Leaders who are motivated by intrinsic aspects want to make changes that will benefit the inner man. According to chapter 6 reading, “Intrinsic motivations come from within you and are congruent with your True North” Leaders who are motivated by this aspect can put themselves in the shoes of all the people they influence. (108)      

Communication

Regardless to what one’s motivation is, communication is a key aspect of it. Being able to effectively communicate with members of the organization is necessary.  Verbal communication is the most obvious form of communication; nonetheless people also pay attention to body language and nonverbal cues that leaders display. In other words, leaders should be confident, but must lead by setting good examples of character. For example, “Leadership, and in particular leading-by-example, is an important and desired trait for many jobs”. (Bruttel & Fischbacher, 2010). If they are not, people could be more interested in the way they speak rather than what they are actually saying. Another important aspect of communication is listening. Effective leaders must be willing to listen to their members even when they are giving them constructive feedback

Implications

In order to be an effective leader one most truly know himself. According to chapter 4 reading, knowing one’s self is the most important aspect of effective leadership.  Without this knowledge of self, one will easily be distracted by extrinsic aspects of motivation. Often people who are new leaders can get side swiped by trying to make a name for themselves that they lose their identity.  Great leaders are motivated by a balance of extrinsic and intrinsic aspects.  They are willing to listen to their members. They have ethics and are unwavering in their beliefs. Great leaders are driven by motivations that will benefit the entire organization.

References

Fairholm, Matthew. (2009). Leadership and organizational strategy. The innovation journal: The public innovation journal. 14(1)

Fischbacher, U & Bruttel L (2010). Taking the initiative. What characterizes leaders? Thurgood institute of economics.