Paternal Leadership

As the name suggests, in paternal leadership the leader acquires the role of the
pater (father) of the group. The group is like a family and the leader is the primary
controlling figure of the group. The chief functions of the leader include guiding and
supporting the members.
This kind of leadership style is based on a centralized management process.
The leader is the primary decision maker and is supported by the other members
of the group. However, for this kind of leadership style to thrive, it is vital that the
members are satisfied in order to ensure efficiency.
The leaders of the group are primarily involved in implementing significant
policies and focusing on potential complexities that might occur. Thus, there exists
harmony and balance in the team although the team leader is the established head
of the group.
Personal Characteristics of Leaders
Leadership is an intangible quality and its effectiveness can best be judged by the
behaviour and attitudes of followers. Even though personal backgrounds and
personalities differ widely, some of the factors such as education and socio-economic
status are poor indicators of judgments of successful leaders. However, some
behavioural characteristics may be common to most of the successful and effective
leaders. Some of these characteristics are as follows:
 Ability to inspire others: This ability may be due to an internal ‘charisma’
which is an inborn trait and may not be a learnable factor.
 Problem solving skills: An effective leader has developed the patience
and ability to look at the problem from various angles and get down to the
cause of the problem and he tries to solve the problem from its roots rather
than the symptoms of the problem.
 Emotional maturity:Emotional stability and maturity is a major ingredient
for effective leadership. It pertains to good adjustment to life, calm, cool
and calculated reaction to undesirable situations and obstacles and normal
acceptance of success as well as failure.
Leadership
NOTES
Self-Instructional
Material 131
 Ability to understand human behaviour: A leader must understand the
needs, desires and behaviour of his subordinates and show respect for
such desires. He is emotionally supportive and is careful enough to avoid
ego threatening behaviour. He must give credit to subordinates when their
efforts are successful.
 Verbal assertiveness: A leader must be an effective orator and must be
confident of his views and opinions. He must communicate his views honestly
and in a straight forward manner without fear of consequences.
 Willingness to take risks:Routine work, no matter how well-done, never
makes a leader. Successful leaders always charter the unknown. They must
accept and seek new challenges. However, the risks must be calculated
ones and outcomes of actions be reasonably predicted.
 Dedication to organizational goals: A leader must demonstrate his
dedication and commitment to the organization’s mission, goals and
objectives by hard work and self-sacrifice. He must make sure that his
followers fully understand the organizational objectives and are equally
dedicated and willing to work for these objectives.
 Skill in the art of compromise: Setting differences is a valid part of
leadership and genuine differences must be solved by compromise and
consensus. This will induce faith in the fairness of the leader. He must be
willing to give in where necessary and must be able to take criticism with
grace. However, he must not compromise for the sake of compromising or
just smooth sailing only and must be willing to take a stand on controversial
issues and accept the consequences of his stand.