LEADERSHIP

A Leader is a person who guides or influences the behavior of others & people guided or influenced are called the followers. Leadership is the quality of behavior of a person through which he is able to influence others to achieve group goals enthusiastically and willingly. Leadership is the ability to influence a group towards the achievement of goals.

Characteristics of Leadership:
Followers: There cannot be a leader without followers. Leadership is co-existent with followership. Under a leader there must be a team of people who must obey the orders of the leaders. 2. Acceptance of Leadership: The leader has to use power over his followers by giving instructions and orders. Followers should accept or follow the instructions or orders of the leader willingly and not by force. If they do not accept him as leader, they will not obey his orders.
1.

3. Common objectives: Leader direct efforts of his followers towards achieving a common objective. He brings in knowledge of his followers what is the common objective of the organization they belong to. Leader also suggests ways to remove the barriers in the path of achieving the common goal. 4. Working relationship: The leader has to work along with his followers to show them how to work. This is a way to get co-operation of the followers. Leader is an active participant who takes people with him.

5. Harmony of interest: Leadership is the activity of influencing people to attempt willingly for common purpose. Leader tries to solve differences among his followers. There is unity of interest of both the leader and the follower. 6. Continuous process: The work of leader is continuous; his work goes on till he exists. The followers are to be trained and instructed according to the new situation. If not physically but mentally his work keep going on.

7. Exemplary conduct: The leader must be an example before the followers by his behavior. For example, if the leader himself is irregular and late, he cannot expect his followers to come in time. 8. Situational: The qualities of leadership required in different situations are different. A leader has to adopt proper strategy depending upon the situation.

Styles of leadership.
y

1. Autocratic Leadership (Authoritative): It is also known as Task management leadership. There is no scope of sharing the details with others also there is very less scope of discussion in this style of leadership. In autocratic style of leadership, a leader firmly believes that followers should not be given any freedom because they do not possess the ability to work on their own. They are like dictator who centralizes the authority in themselves. This style is generally used when followers are illiterate, unskilled and untrained.

y y

a. Retention of power: An autocratic leader does not give any power to any of his followers. b. Relying on orders only: An autocratic leader relies on commands and orders. He makes employees feel that they are followers and he is the boss. c. Close supervision: An important aspect of autocratic leadership is close supervision. It is the result of lack of trust by the superior in his followers.

1.

2. 3.

ADVANTAGES: When the followers are newly appointed (inexperienced) and lack in any managerial decision making (incompetent) or when they require specific instructions in order to get a job done, this method prove useful. As suggestions of followers are not considered, no time is consumed by two way communication. When followers are timid (lack of confidence) and are not willing to share responsibility or fear insecurity in service, they work better under detailed instructions.

DISADVANTAGES:
1.

2. 3.

4.

1. Misunderstanding due to one-way communication and lack of feedback. 2. It restricts the freedom of employees. It demotivates 3. Workers are made aware of what to do but not why which leads to low morale and job dissatisfaction. 4. Employees lose initiative and avoid responsibility for any errors.

2. Democratic or participative Leadership: This is democratic method of getting things done by the followers. Either in formal way or informal way leader takes view and opinion of his followers. Here, leader believes that a desired goal can be achieved if employees needs and wants are satisfied. There is team work approach to obtain goal. In this style leader involves his followers by two ways a. Consultative: Process of consultation (decisions or talks) before decision is taken. b. Persuasive (provide sound reason): Leader takes decision and seeks to persuade (convince) others that the decision is correct.

1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

ADVANTAGES: Democratic Leadership The participation in management raises the productivity, improves morale and job satisfaction among employees. As their suggestion and opinions are asked for and considered, the employees feel sense of belongingness. Morale and discipline among employees are maintained at a high level. Such a leadership style develops trust and cooperation. Participation satisfies the social and esteem needs of employees. Improves quality of decision as more people think about problem. Less resistance to change as those who developed solution will support implementation.

DISADVANTAGES: Democratic Leadership

1. 2.

3.

4.

5.

This technique of leadership is based on the assumption that the employees have a real interest in organization; these assumptions are not always found to be true. According to this approach, there should be full trust between management and his followers, which may not always be so in actual practice. Decisions are taken after long discussions and exchange of ideas; hence the decision making is delayed. (time consuming) Neither leader has large heart to share authority nor do followers have physical and mental preparedness to participate in decision making process. Few dominant followers may influence decision in their favour.

3. Laissez Faire (Free Rein style): style):

This style is opposite to autocratic style of leadership. Under this technique of leadership, leader believes that abilities of the employees should be allowed to develop. y The superior must only guide followers and allow them to take their own decision. They should be encouraged to develop and contribute independent thought and action. This does not mean that leader does not exercise his supervisory powers. The leader is only a policy maker. He set the path and works on the strategy to achieve the goal.
y

Following are the main features of this style of leadership:

Manager willingly gives powers to his followers. 2. Here detailed instructions are not given to the followers, only general instructions are given. 3. Leader does not neglect supervision of followers. Where the necessity arises, he uses his supervisory powers. 4. This method has free communication of superior and followers.
1.

ADVANTAGES: Laissez Faire

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

It creates an environment of freedom. As the free and informal atmosphere prevails, it becomes more creative. It is the only suitable method when people are highly educated, motivated and goal-oriented. It develops the latent (existing) abilities of followers. It works well when group is composed of highly committed members.

DISADVANTAGES: Laissez Faire aire

1.

2.

3.

Sometimes, this technique results into disorganized management (chaos & mismanagement), which leads to inefficiency and confusion. A sense of insecurity and frustration develops due to lack of decision marking authority and guidance from superior. The team spirit is affected due to noncooperation from some of the followers.

4) Paternalistic Leadership: Leadership:

y

In this type of leadership the leader approach is fatherly. His attitude is of treating the relationship between the leader and his groups that of family with the leader as the head of the family. The leader works to help, guide, protect and keep his followers happily working together as member of a family. He provides them with good working conditions, fringe (additional) benefits and employee services