Running head: LEADERSHIP STYLE

Leadership Style

LEADERSHIP STYLE Leadership Style An effective leader generates connections between associates of the organization for the purpose of increasing performance and accomplishing exceptional results (Sullivan & Decker, 2009). An effective leader will encourage members of the organization to collaborate by delivering motivation and direction to attain organizational goals. One thing that all leaders

have in common is one or more followers. If no one is following, one cannot be leading (Vroom & Jago, 2007, p. 1). A leader can achieve organizational goals by interpersonal skills to persuade, influence, and guide others. An effective leader will clarify goals, offer direction, and encourage a higher performance that has a superior product. "A leader is anyone who uses interpersonal skills to influence others to accomplish a specific goal" (Sullivan & Decker, 2009, p. 45). The certainty that successful leaders are made and not born is a behavior-based theory of leadership style. The behaviors of successful leaders are learned through a lifetime of experiences, education, and training. The autocratic or domineering leader is vigorous and uses control and intimidation to acquire his or her needs. The democratic leader uses a majority rules approach and participation in setting goals to uphold collaboration. The contingency leader acclimates to the varying surroundings within the organization and determines the most effective leadership style. The behavior of the leader will differ and any specific leadership style will not prevail in certain situations. Contingency leaders will tell, sell, consult, join, and delegate in relationship-oriented tasks (Sullivan & Decker, 2009). Successful Leader A successful leader encourages individuals to collaborate and progress to accomplish the goals of the organization. Several successful leaders exist in history, such as Thomas Woodrow

LEADERSHIP STYLE Wilson. Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president of the United States and looked upon as a personal representative of the people. Through his solid leadership styles, both nationally and

tactfully, the nation was stronger than ever in the past. President Wilson practiced proper morals in international politics, and was committed to be the nations chief executive as well as a leader of the people. Woodrow Wilson was an exceptional governmental leader who broke down the dissimilarities between the executive and legislative branches of Congress and became the spokesman for the American people in domestic and international affairs (Profiles of U.S. Presidents, 2011). Woodrow Wilson had a vision and was enthusiastic in exploiting his vision. President Wilsons goal was to be a leader for the people and alter strategies to achieve these goals. According to Sullivan and Decker (2009), leaders who have a vision develop plans to work toward the vision. A competent leader efficaciously encourages others to accept and undertake the vision. Effective leaders recognize the necessities of an organization and will persistently ask themselves what can be amended. Woodrow Wilson was a proficient leader who concentrated on refining the lives of Americans. Comparison of Leadership Styles Woodrow Wilson was poised in his decisions and assessments as a leader, but he became troubled when any person did not reach agreement with him. One of his liabilities as a leader was his reluctance to work with anyone who did not follow his lead. Individuals who followed his lead saw him as an affectionate, flexible, and generous man (Guisepi, 2001). The leadership quality Woodrow Wilson would be described as the behavior trait of autocratic because he used his power and coercion to persuade people to follow him. The writer does not agree with this practice of leadership and is more flexible with her leadership style. She attempts to values

LEADERSHIP STYLE strong interpersonal relationships between team members and herself as leader. She was

staggered after finishing the Leadership and Team Self-Assessment that her score was 58 (PorterOGrady & Malloch, 2007). Conclusion A successful and efficient leader is behind a successful organization. Numerous qualities define leaders and not one quality will work in each circumstance. Woodrow Wilsons was a competent leader but found it difficult to work with individuals who did not agree with each conclusion. As a leader, the writer needs to mature the skill of working with rebellious personalities and setting team goals and motivating individuals to achieve those goals. Woodrow Wilson may have had faults as a leader, but he was never swayed from his goals. He was a devoted leader and influenced many commendable leadership skills.

LEADERSHIP STYLE References Guisepi, R. (2001). World War One, Woodrow Wilson. Retrieved from http://historyworld.org/wilson.htm Porter-OGrady, T & Malloch, K. (2007). Managing for success in health care. St Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier Profiles of U.S. Presidents. (2011). Woodrow Wilson Parliamentary leader. Retrieved from http://www.presidentprofiles.com/Grant-Eisenhower/Woodrow-Wilson-Parliamentaryleader.html Sullivan, E.J. & Decker, P.J. (2009). Effective leadership and management in nursing. (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall Vroom, V. H., & Jago, A. G. (2007). The role of the situation in leadership. American Psychologist, 62(1), 17-24. From EBSCOhost