What is Leadership Background (Essay Sample)

Leadership
Name
Institution
Introduction
Leadership is a process that requires one to be innovative, and a manager should be able to administer the required skills and control to maintain situations (Ben-Hur & Jonsen, 2012, pp. 963). As a manager, one is required to make decisions that will focus on the systems to implement and ensure the effectiveness of the available processes. Also, leaders must be able to inspire followers in a positive way to ensure that they reach their set targets. The manager is also responsible for the structuring of the system to guarantee effective delivery of services. According to Tewari and Sharma (2012, pp. 34), globalization of the business industry has given rise to a number of challenges which the organizations have to successfully tackle through their innovative management strategies. They further suggested that organisations can effectively do so through their skilful leaders as they can support the company in attaining a sustainable and inimitable competitive advantage through their skills and expertise. In this, transformational leaders are required to warrant that organizations maintain competitiveness in today’s dynamic business arena.
Background
Research suggests that individuals seeking to secure a career in the international management sector must possess outstanding management skills. These interpersonal characteristics includes the capability of managing a team, working as an effective part of a team, ability to manage tasks in a timely fashion, change management skills and the ability to provide effectual solution to the day to day problems (Tewari and Sharma, 2012, pp. 35). According to Griffith and Hoppner (2013, pp. 22), a leader must have strong communication skills, must be inventive, must be able to take rational decisions, extrovert and must possess competent leadership skills. It can be understood that efficient managers must hold hard on top of soft skills to fulfil the responsibilities associated with his/her position. Researchers have identified that possessing soft skills is of more importance due to the flexibility that they provide to successfully perform (Griffith and Hoppner, 2013).
Literature Review
Transformational style of leadership
Leadership is the backbone of any effective delivery of service (Nguyen & Mohamed, 2011, pp. 210). Creating a good relation between the management and the employees leads to excellent performance by the staff members. The leader must possess qualitative skills to achieve the success of the end results. Professionalism cannot be ignored as it is part of the success; dedication and resilience too are components that facilitated excellence. They contribute effectively to the attitude of the staff workers and their relationships. To be an effective manager, one must have the primary proximity to the staff and the customers (Yulk, 2010, pp. 258). The leaders must work towards establishing the trust in the organizations, while delivering the services towards the organizations goal. This is achieved by the maintenance of a positive work environment and creating a team of professionals.
Additionally, Beekun (2012, pp. 25) notes that transformational style of leadership requires the manager to be more concerned with the maintenance of normal flow of work. The organization involves the leader in the development of the staff members towards achieving the set objectives. The leader motivates the staff members towards better performances and confidence. Transformational style of leadership requires the manager to make strategies that will lead the staff members to achieving success in their performances (Nguyen & Mohamed, 2011, pp. 210). This leadership requires an individual input in a particular task, and is often associated with rewards and benefits. This will allow the junior workers to work with enthusiasm towards achieving the organizational goals knowing there is a reward attached to it.
Furthermore, transformational leadership allows leaders to make small operational changes effectively with support from the other staff members. Transformation leadership grows in the strategies set by the organization through the team-building skills and the vision of the manager (Thorpe, 2011, pp.235). The staff members have roles assigned to them to achieve each week, and a report is provided at the end of the task. This is style of leadership, ensures assessment is done on the achievement of the staff members. The ability of the staff members to relate to the manager enables them to feel as part of the organization and they are able to deliver their services effectively.
Importance of Transformational Style of Leadership
Transformational leaders use ideas, individual consideration, and inspiration to influence the staff members' attitudes and behaviour staff members. The staff members are able to move past their own personal interest towards sharing the leader’s vision and goals of achieving the organizational interest. The style also focuses on the reward of the staff members upon completion of the tasks. The emphasis is on the observing of directions to achieve a specified task and the rewards include recognition, bonuses, promotion, honour, and merits. The outcome of this style is job satisfaction and improved performances. Combination of the motivation of the staff members and a direction in which they will achieve the organizations objective leads to excellent performances in their roles (Yulk, 2010, pp. 259).
Transformational Leadership Traits
Leader Member Exchange Theory (LMX) best describes the leadership that would provide best results when utilized. In this theory, the most imperative aspect in an organization is the relationship between subordinates and supervisors (Lussier, 2010). Lussier (2010) notes that in many organizations leaders end up creating a rift between the management staff and the subordinates. In this, the success of the organization is put at risk because the supervisors do not place the needs of the subordinates beforehand.
According to Northouse (2010), organizations today are in desperate need of effective leaders to gain a competitive edge through them on the national and international stages. Yulk (2006) suggested that leadership can be effectively defined as a personality trait; it is a particular type of behaviour which has a tendency to influence others to perform better. For example, Griffith & Hoppner (2013) note that before Steve Jobs revolutionised Apple, he was once laid off due to his impossible character. His ideals were considered unattainable by his bosses, thus they could not agree with his immense enthusiasm. However, when he returned to Apple he was able to save the dysfunctional organization into a world class success. According to Northouse (2010) leadership is a goal- oriented phenomenon, while Thomas et al. (2013, pp. 12) suggested that it is a group experience. In this, every leader’s success also depends on their personal traits, and how they inspire others.
In addition, Pathak et al. (2009) suggested that leaders have significant qualities which make them different from others, and global leaders must possess extra skills such as cultural diversity management skills, and an ability to respond to cultural needs, and must possess the ability to adapt working practices in accordance with their surroundings. Being able to manage cultural change and make every team member feel important at the office is imperative. In this era of cultural diversification, one should ensure that every employee feels important.
Ethics and Values
Leaders are confident, active listeners, good communicators, intelligent, and possess extensive knowledge about the field they work in. All these qualities support them in managing their emotions in the workplace and guide them in making the right and ethical decisions for the growth of the organization. Trait theories of leadership suggest that leaders cannot be made; they are born (Derue et al., 2011, pp.14). The skill approach suggests that leaders must possess excellent capabilities to take on leadership. Ethical decisions can only be made by a person who is ready to sacrifice and do the right thing. As a good leader, one should strive to try to maintain harmony between followers under all circumstances.
Motivation, Communication, and Teamwork abilities
Globalization has changed the quality of business operations, and has also revolutionized the criteria for success, which is identified as essential in the team work of today (West, 2010). Organizations over the years have realized the power of teamwork, which has made it a strong tool for achieving success on the global platform. The major challenge when dealing with a team is to maintain harmony between people of different origins, as companies are actively hiring individuals from different cultures to contribute positively in the success of the organization. Teams should work in co-operation with each other and must always try to understand each other’s perspectives, as doing so upholds the quality of team. A good example of such an exemplary example is the founder of Wal-Mart. Walton appreciates his employees by often visiting his branches countrywide, in an effort to meet personally with them and offer his appreciation. By meeting with them, he is able to motivate them through direct communication (Walton & Huey, 1996). This further brings the team together and encourages them to act in harmony.
SWOT Analysis of transformational leaders
Internal

Strengths
* An effective leader
* Strong communication skills
* Well-organised
* Accurate time management skills
* Team management skills
* Can efficiently manage cultural diversity

Weaknesses
* Management oriented

Opportunities
* Personal growth opportunities...