Leadership of Communities, Essay Example

Abstract

Leadership is the accumulation of skills and qualities an individual utilizes when he or she is trying to accomplish a task or objective.  This influence that the individual has becomes the process in which they pull together the support of others in a common goal.  Leadership traits include influencing skills, charisma, intelligence, foresight and integrity to name a few.  These traits are critical in the ability to lead a group of individuals to accomplish a common goal.  Leadership of communities plays into the fabric and composition of the community as well as what actions need to take place depending on how the community if formed and its complexity.  The shaping of the community is influenced by its leadership as well as the keystone activities of the members of the society.  Each small transitional activity leads to an overall transformation in the societal makeup.

Leadership

Leadership can be described as “management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”  This simple statement places the emphasis on how leadership is more than accomplishing goals and objectives but how those achievements are obtained and implemented while also imparting guidance and strategic intent throughout the process.  Leadership represents the ability to guide a group of individuals with initially separate and distinct goals into a concerted and synergistic focus toward the same objective (Zaleznik, 2008). This is a shift in individualistic goals and objectives into those that are for the greater good of the group as a whole. Leadership can be described as “management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Leadership traits include influencing skills, charisma, intelligence, foresight and integrity to name a few (Caroselli, 2001).  This simple statement places the emphasis on how leadership is more than accomplishing goals and objectives but how those achievements are obtained and implemented while also imparting guidance and strategic intent throughout the process.  In the business world, hierarchy is built into levels of authority based on roles, organizational needs and functional expertise.  Roles and responsibilities do not necessarily determine who a leader is but allows a leader to fulfil their desire to guide and direct.  Leaders are thought to be born and not trained but there is a mixture of internal drive to want to lead and take charge of situations as well as learning to hone the leadership skills to become more effective and efficient in leading differing tasks and objectives. You can be a manager and not a leader but you cannot be a leader without the ability to manage.  In essence, leadership is the ability to guide and direct while management is ensuring tasks are completed, checklists are checked and criteria for tollgates are accomplished.

The personal and professional context have guided me to a better understanding that leadership is held at every level of the organization and to drive change and direct progress, leadership is warranted throughout the hierarchy of the organization.  My emerging leadership qualities pivot on my social skills and empathy during critical situations.  The ability to translate the internal desire and motivation to do well, not only for you but for the entire community as a whole, provides an in-depth look and realization of self-awareness and responsibility a leader must encapsulate to be successful (Hughes, Ginnett, and Curphy, 2012).  The key personal drivers for my key influencers in leadership all revolve around service.  This service includes providing leadership and guidance to increase the overall organization and group’s quality.  Within a focus on feminist leadership and my direct connection with the leadership style and practices of Oprah Winfrey, I have an internal desire to serve those in which I lead in that I put their needs and the service of the organization as prioritized necessities.  The self-consciousness of one’s own ability to lead and provide the spearhead to the body of the operations has given a flame to the combustible nature of my drive to serve as a servant leader.  Being a servant leader allows me to leverage my inherent qualities including listening, empathizing with the people I lead, nurturing the situation, following my ethical compass, building my team, servicing my team’s needs and building a community for a greater good.  In order to become a better leader it is imperative to increase the core competencies of situational leadership which spans the entire lifecycle of a leadership decision (Zenger and Folkman, 2009).  This includes assessment, selection and application of choices and decisions.  Not only does this take into account the decision process it also includes continually reviewing and improving those choices.  Continual improvement in the leadership capabilities will ultimately allow me to become a better leader and a greater asset to those within my span of control.

References

Caroselli, M. (2001). Leadership skills for managers. McGraw-Hill Professional.

Hughes, R., Ginnett, R., & Curphy, G. (2012). Leadership: Enhancing the lessons of experience. (7 ed.). Montouri, Amsterdam: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Zaleznik, A. (2008). Managers and leaders: are they different? Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business Review.

Zenger, J. H., & Folkman, J. (2009). The extraordinary leader, turning good managers into great leaders. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional.