Leadership Case

Leadership is something that we can all do. We can all make the choice and take responsibility as well as the initiative. We can all make the move to "show the direction for others". But people also ask themselves what makes an effective leader? And depending on this - what are important features for effective leadership? This essay should answer these questions by using different theories which are concerned on the characteristics of effective leaders and those of effective leadership.

As Dessler (2001, p. 291) has pointed out, a leader is someone who influences individuals to help the organization to achieve its goals. And leadership in turn is defined as "[...] a mixture of enthusiasm, striving to achieve a goal, maximizing resources and enthusing others [...]"(Adair,2009, p. 213) which enhance the impact of successful leaders. So it is the exercise of influence by someone over particular members to implement the vision of the group or organization. The word "effective" in that case shows the extent to which a leader supports the group members to attain the target and how efficient the leadership is. I assume that being a leader is personal, because leadership depends on the individual characteristics and actions of a leader. That would mean, effective leaders have strong skills and a charismatic behavior. Different researchers construct leadership on certain traits and skills. And others again regard this topic from a relational perspective, the leaders behavior and the specific context. To define key characteristics of effective leaders and leadership it's important to include all the regards.

„How you will lead is determined by who you are" (PI Worldwide, 2011). People follow leaders because of who they are and what they want to achieve. And this depends on the traits, skills and behaviour of the leader as well as the leadership process itself. With regards on the trait perspective Dessler (2001) says that people in our society were born with special traits that make them leaders. In contrast Northouse (2010, p.13) suggests that "leadership is a process, that can be learned and is available to everyone". However, effective leaders are not like others. They are different cause of determination, the desire to lead, honesty and integrity. Including also self-confidence and knowledge of the business just as cognitive ability and emotional stability (Brown, 2007).

Effective leaders are full of drive and follow a vision. They are working deeply committed and purposefully to achieve it. With high motivation and energy leaders could be effective because these hallmarks are the basis for being tenacious and getting better of solving problems. But the main point is, that leaders are effective when they want to lead (Brown, 2007). In this connection a leader must also know how to use and not to take advantage of authority. And for that reason it's essential that leaders are honest and have integrity, so that subordinates trust them and follow the prescribed vision.

Effective leaders have a "high degree of self-confidence, which enables them not only to undertake grave responsibilities and generate confidence in others but to cope with many potentially situations with equanimity" (Locke, 1999, p. 6). Not only decision-making is influenced by the leaders self-confidence, also the followers will gain more trust in them and will work more effectively.

Additionally the cognitive ability, so the way leaders learn, remember and solve problems equally the intelligence of an effective leader is highly developed. That includes an extensive knowledge of the relevant industry, technology and general environment mostly complemented of individual experience (Fiedler, 1974).

Based on the "Studies of Leadership Traits and Characteristics" in Northouse (2010, p. 19) a final important trait for leaders is sociability. Leaders who are pleasant, outgoing, fair-spoken, diplomatic and considerate are sociable. They have good interpersonal skills and create cooperative relationships. This is a basic condition for effective leadership.

A variety of skills belongs also to an effective leader. These could be developed and include for example oral communication, goal setting, decision-making, knowledge or social skills (Bennis, 1997). Mumford et al, (2000) skills model in Northouse (2010, p. 43-45) contends how leader competencies, like problem-solving skills, social judgment skills or knowledge are affected by the leader's individual attributes, career experiences and environmental influences. Where career experience has an indirect effect on leadership outcomes, which are seen as e.g. the performance or conflict management and problem solving. Environmental influences affect indirectly and directly thus leadership outcomes (Northouse, 2010). It is not only their skill that makes leaders effective, but also their passion. It keeps them moving

...