LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP IS THE QUALITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO GUIDES THE PEOPLE

TO WORK WILLINGLY UPTO THEIR FULLEST CAPACITY.

 Leadership is defined in the form of the qualities of a particular individual.

With the help of these qualities he guides the people and makes them
capable of working up to their fullest capacity. A successful leader gives the
necessary encouragement to his subordinates in their work performance
rather than pushing them in doing it.

Leadership is a process of influencing a group, and an important part of the

manager’s role in an organization. It can be said that leadership is that
ability of an individual on the basis of which, in special circumstances,
through the medium of communication, guides the employees by impressing
them with this conduct in such a manner that they, without any pressure,
automatically starts working at their fullest capacity for the attainment of the
objectives of the enterprise.

Definition

 According to Theo Haimann, “ Leadership is the process by which an

executive imaginatively directs, guides and influence the work of others in
choosing and attaining specified goals by mediating between the individuals
and the organization in such a manner that both will obtain maximum
satisfaction”.

 Louis A.Allen, “ A leader is one who guides and directs other people. He gives
the efforts of his followers a direction and the purpose by influencing their
behavior.

FUNCTIONS OF THE LEADER

 A leader need to perform the following functions of the management, as “

leadership is the essence of managership”.

i. Determination of the Goals: A leader performs the creative function of laying

down goals and policies for the followers. He also act as a guide in
interpretation the goals and policies of the organization.

ii. Organization of the Activities: A good leader divides organization activities

among the employees in a systematic manner. The relationship between
them are clearly identify. This reduces the chances of conflicts among them.

iii. Achieving Coordination: He integrates the goals of the individuals with the
organizational goals and create a community of interest. He keep himself
informed about the working of the group. He also shares the information with
his group member formally and informally for their cooperation and
coordination.
 Representation of the workers: A leader is a representative of his group. He
takes initiative in all matters of interest to the group. He also attempt to fulfill
the psychological needs of his followers.

v. Providing Guidance: A leader guides the subordinates toward the

achievement of the organizational as well as personal goals. He is available
for the advice whenever a subordinates faces any problem.

vi. Inspiration of the Members: A good leader inspires the subordinates for better
performance. Motivation is necessary for getting the desired work from the
subordinates. The leader motivates the employees by providing them
economic and non economic rewards.

vii. Building Employees Morale: Good leadership is indispensable to high

employee morale. The leader shapes the thinking and attitude of the group.
He develops good human relations and facilitate interactions between the
members of the group.

viii. Facilitate the change: Leadership is the mechanism to convince the worker
about the need for change.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LEADERSHIP

The leadership has the following features:

I. Leadership is a process of influence: the main feature of the process is to

influence the group members. A person is said to have an influence over
others when they are willing to carry out his wishes and accept his advice,
guidance and directions. Successful leaders are able to influence the
behavior, attitude and beliefs of their followers.

II. Leadership is related to situation: When we talk about leadership it always

related to particular situation, at a given point of time and under a specific
set of circumstances.

III. Leadership is the function of stimulation: it is the process of the motivating

the people or followers. Leaders are considered successful when they are
able to subordinate the individual interests of the employees to the general
interest of the organization. A successful leader allows his subordinates to
have their individual goals set up by themselves in such a way that they do
not conflict with the organizational objectives.

IV. Leadership gives an experience of helping attain the common objectives:

Under successful However minor or major, is vital in the overall functioning of
an enterprise.

V. Employees/followers must be satisfied with the type of leadership provided:

Only short term goals can be achieved by pressure and punishment. Long
term interests of the organization are best served when managers or
 followers allow to influence their behavior and attitude particularly when they
are competent and knowledgeable.

VI. leadership, every person in the organisation feels that his/her work.

Leadership vs Managership

LEADERSHIP Managership

Leadership is the ability to enthuse the Managership is the ability to manage the
followers towards the definite goals. management and organizations function.
Leadership is the part of the Management is not the part of the
management. leadership.

The leader has no guarantee that he is The manager is always going for the
going to right direction attainment for the organizational goals.

All leaders cannot be good managers All managers may be a good leader,
because he may be weak in other many subordinates follow them. A
management activities. manager can be a weak leader but an
acceptable manager.

He coaches and advice. He drives and orders.

He depends upon his confidence and He depends on his authority.

goodwill.

He inspires enthusiasm. He engenders fears.

He solves problem. He fixes blame and find faults.

He consults and seek advice. He knows all the answers.

He believes in ‘WE’ and ‘YOU’. vii. He believes in ‘I’.

STYLES IN LEADERSHIP

 Leadership has three different approaches. It means that there can be three
ways in which a leader can lead the group and exercise the authority over the
group or followers. The leadership style dedicates the types of plans and
policies followed by the followers. The three styles of leadership are as
follows:

I. Autocratic Leadership Style

II. Democratic Leadership Style

III. Free-rein Leadership Style

Autocratic Leadership Style

Under this style the leader keeps all the authority centered in his hands and the
employee had to perform the work without changing any of his orders. If any
employee or follower is careless in his work, he is punished.

• The leader does not decentralize his authority for the fear of losing his
importance. Similarly the success or the failure of the group depends and
remains with the manager or the leader.

• The leader motivates his followers to achieve objectives by creating an

environment of fear and punishment.

• The job or promotion all depends on the will of the autocratic leader.

• The follower or the employees have the least right to present their opinion in
respect of any decision.

Democratic Leadership

Under this leadership style the leader has full confidence in his subordinates and
accepts their suggestions. These days this leadership style is very much in fashion.
As the names suggest democracy, means the leader is for the people, by the people
and from the people. The followers themselves by the means of voting choose their
leader and willing follow them. The leader on the other side work according to the
wishes and advice of the followers.

• In this type of the leadership the decisions regarding different works are not
taken by the manager alone but they are taken in consultation with the
followers.

• This leadership style based on the decentralization of authority and as result

of which the employees get the opportunity to display their initiative,
creativity and dedication to the enterprise.

• In this the leader respects the suggestions made by his subordinates, and
also make efforts and to fulfill their necessities.

Thus, the employee starts feeling that he, too, is part of the organisation and
has some importance. The use of this leadership style creates good industrial
relations.

Free-rein Leadership Style

In this style the managers or the leaders take little interest in functions and
the subordinates are left on their own. The idea behind this concept is that if
the subordinates are allowed to work on the principle of laissez-faire, they will
put in more hard work and make use of their full capability.

• Under this the leaders, by explaining the overall objectives, helps the
surbodinates in determining their own objectives.

• They provide resources for work performance and, if needed be, they
also advice the employees.

• This style is absolutely different from the autocratic style of leadership.