MGT208 Personal and Professional development

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Many people today are seeking to understand or writing about the concept and the
practices of leadership. There are great for many reasons for the popularity of the topic
which including that the organizations are faced with changes such as never happened as
before. The concept of leadership is relevant to any aspect of ensuring the effectiveness
in organizations and in the managing changes.

Leadership is a process of social influence in which a person can get the aid and support
of others in the accomplishment of a common task and direct to the organization in a
specific way that makes it more cohesive and efficient.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (n.d.) defines Leadership as “the art of getting someone else to
do something you want done because he wants to do it." Therefore, it involves power
and authority for someone to give instructions on what to do and how to go about doing
it. Similary, there must be a ground for mutual understanding between the person giving
directives and the person receiving.
Therefore, if leadership skills could be very important tool in harnessing people in an
organization to strive hard to bring out the best for the organization, then it will be very
essential to make research and write on the topic. Thus, this paper will describe the
theories of leadership, the leadership skills, management and the functions of mangers.
Consequently, we will discover the effectiveness of leadership skills in the success of
mangement of organizations.

2.0 Leadership
2.1 Writers on Leadership

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Leadership is a very important issue in today’s world as it brings about success to

organizations through proper implementation of leadership skills. Thus, many writers
have different views on leadership but every one is pursuing the act of “Success”. Among
the writers is Harari (2003) who viewed Colin Powell, an American soldier that
suggested, “Leadership is an art of accomplishment more than the science of
management says it possible”. Also, according to Powell, leadership is the act of
accepting responsibility and by doing this, it will not be possible to give pleasure to
everyone in the organization. He believe that the right way to lead is being strict that is
using coercive power.

However, Blachford and Manni (2007) believe in “Caring” and “encouragement” as the
effective way of leadership. Hence, by being sensitive to followers the leaders can
develop a rapport and in turn they will help in taking the organization to another step
ahead. This is more like a democratic form of leadership.

2.2 Theories of Leadership

There are many theories of leadership, which have different vision but among the famous
theories Bolden et al (2003) divide them into the following headings:
1. Great Man Theory
This theory believes that leaders are not made but are born. The qualities of leadership
are inherited for which the person is specifically predetermined to lead people. Hence, the
word 'man' in the name of the theory was used in the early days where the role of
leadership is presumed for the Male.
2. Trait Theory
With the belief of Great man theory brings about the Trait theory. The theory has pointed
out certain qualities that are related to leadership. It shows people with extraordinary
behaviors and Personality that can lead people with example.

3. Behavioral Theory

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Behavioral theory as the name implies focus mainly on the behaviors and patterns of
Leaders. It does not take regard of the qualities leader posses but centers on the behavior.
Thus the models of leadership in this theory are classified as “styles of leadership”.
4. Situational Leadership
Decision making in this theory depends on particular situation in an organization. There
will be a situation where a democratic form of leadership will be required to make things
going. Whereas, some situation will only be normal when an autocratic approach is used.
On the same vein, both or different approaches may be used in different level of
organization.
5. Contingency Theory
This theory considers that no specific method of leadership is suitable to all situations.
Thus, it agrees that the leadership approach to be used depends on the environment and
the people. Moreover, the theory identifies variables that best suit an effective form of
leadership.
6. Participative Theory
The approach of this theory is toward the participation of people in making decisions.
There is encouragement of participation by the leaders in the organization. Hence, it
makes the people to have feelings of belonging and relevance as their contributions are
used in bringing success to organization.
7. Management Theory
Management theory centers on a win-win approach, where there is a form of agreement
between the leader and followers. The followers here work according to the requirements
of the leader and therefore the leader will give reward in return.
8. Relationship Theory
Leaders with this approach help in transforming the organization this why sometimes it is
referred to as “Transformational theory”. The idea is the leader will engage in inspiring
and motivating the followers. As a result the work will be done successfully without
much errors.

2.3 Difference between man and woman leadership

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According to a research by Judy Rosener the author of Harvard Business Review found
out that the effectiveness of men and women leaders is quite same. He also added that the
main difference is regarding the approach or method of leading. Hence, men leaders are
found to be more effective in situations of coercive power i.e. military. Moreover, the
men use form of authority, with rewards and punishment to the employees. On the other
hand, women show effectiveness in educational, social service and government
organizations. Also, the women employ the use of charisma, interpersonal skills, hard
work, and personal contacts as their own strategy for leading people. (Bateman & Snell,
1999).

Example of great men leaders are Steve Jobs of Apple corporation, Lou Gerstner of IBM,
Barrack Obama of USA. While women leaders include Carol Moseley Braun, Illinois
Senator, Senator Hilary Clinton of USA.

2.4 Important leadership skills in organization

The following are effective qualities and skills a leader is expected to have:

1. Vision: leaders must have the ability to see things that are right for the
organization. It is when the leader can see things that he can develop alternate
solution and make decisions. Hence, followers will work with the directions of the
leader.
2. Ability to Change: here the leader is expected to be flexible, to be able to change
with the changing conditions. This is as a result of the dynamic situation of
today’s business environment.
3. Set a Benchmark: leader should set standards to which every employee must
meet. Therefore, the leader must be able to lead with example, i.e. he or she
should be able to do what he expects the employees to do. For instance, when he
wants his employees to be punctual, he has to be punctual himself too.
4. People-Skills: Leaders should generate a way of communicating their objectives
and visions to followers. The medium chosen will serve as a link between them.

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5. Listening and Not Just Talking: Listening is an important skill to leaders, which
would help them to get ideas that never occurred to them. It could be achieved by
giving the followers the opportunity to contribute that could bring success in the
organization.
6. Solving: this is one of the basic skills every leader is expected to have. But the
approach used in solving problems by one leader may differ to the other. Thus, it
is the way to achieving goals and objectives of organization.
7. Ability to Motivate Others: in this point, the leader should be able to motivate
his employees with some form of rewards. This could put zeal of activeness in the
employees to do their best for the organization.
8. Discipline: A leader should abide by code of conducts so as to make the teams to
abide by his rules and engage in proper work for the organization.

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3.0 Management

3.1 What is Management?

Management is the bringing together and the administration of activities of oneself and
others to achieve specific goals for an organization. Management involves the general
functions, which include planning, organizing, leading and coordinating of activities.

3.2 Management Levels

The levels of Management are hierarchically divided into Top-level managers, Middle
managers, Frontline managers.
a. Top-level managers: managers here are the senior executives responsible for the
general management and effectiveness organization.

b. Middle Managers: there are found in the center or middle stratum of the organization.
c. Frontline managers: managers on the lesser level that direct the operational activities
of the organization.

3.3 Functions of Managers in Organization

Managers have four important functions that are expected to do. The functions are the
key success of every organization, Bleish (2010) describes the functions as follows:

1. Planning
Planning is a preparation ahead of time on the activities to be carried out at present and in
future. Managers plan by setting their goals, objectives, methods, as well as the approach
to be used in achieving the goals. For instance, it includes Business planning, project
planning among others.

2. Organizing
It involves arranging of goals, departments etc so as to effectively carry out task in the
organization. Also, it helps to make things work accordingly.

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3. Leading
This has to do with giving instructions, allocating of task to individuals and groups in the
organization. For instance, the leader use his skill of vision to direct the activities of his
employees.

4. Controlling, or Coordinating
Controlling and coordinating involves the act of weighing activities of employees with
the set out goals and objectives. That is, it checks whether the activities are carried out
effectively as required. For example financial control checks the financial budget or the
financial expenditures are spent correctly as required.

The relationship between management and Leadership

Normally, employees always expect their leaders to provide them with certain number of
things in an organization. However, when an organization is in a severe period that
requires major changes, the leaders would be required to make effective decisions and
reasonable pla

In an organization where there is faith in the abilities of formal leaders, employees will
look towards the leaders for a number of things. During drastic change times, employees
will expect effective and sensible planning, confident and effective decision-making, and
regular, complete communication that is timely. Also during these times of change,
employees will perceive leadership as supportive, concerned and committed to their
welfare, while at the same time recognizing that tough decisions need to be made. The
best way to summarize is that there is a climate of trust between leader and the rest of the
team. The existence of this trust, brings hope for better times in the future, and that makes
coping with drastic change much easier.

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Conclusion

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