Developing Leader
Leadership
Introduction
Scholars are defined leadership as the “activity to influence people to strive willingly for group objectives”(Terry 1960). A leader is a person who “exercise interpersonal influence in a situation and direct (people) through communication process towards a specialized goal or goals.”(Koontz and O’Donnell 1959). Certain traits are attributed to leaders, which make them stand above the rest of their group (Yukl 1989). Studies have shown that traits in people determine who are the leaders and who are the followers (Kirkpatrick ad Locke 1991).
There are three general skills or competencies required of leader. Fist, he/she must know how to diagnose a situation or a target group that he/she wants to influence. In psychology, this is referred to as the cognitive competency. Meaning, a leader must be quick to understand a given situation and act accordingly. (Blanchard and Lorber 1987). Second is behavioural competency where he/she must know how to adapt tot present situations using all available resources to meet contingencies. Other refers to this aspect as the E.Q. or emotional quotient level (Tannenbaun et. al 1958). Third is the process competency where a leader must know to communicate to others in such a way that they are easily understood and accepted (Hersey and Blanchard 1993).
Accordingly, there are many leadership theories and models, which have been developed over the years. Most of these theories are interrelated and should be regarded together in order to come up with a good self-assessment as to the degree of leadership of a person possesses.
In assessing my leadership skills, abilities and experiences, I would rely mostly on the feedback I received on my colleagues, my performance appraisal results and my self-assessment based on my past experiences.
Peer Assessment
Based on our working definition of what is leader, I asked my co-leagues to fill-up a
Introduction
Scholars are defined leadership as the “activity to influence people to strive willingly for group objectives”(Terry 1960). A leader is a person who “exercise interpersonal influence in a situation and direct (people) through communication process towards a specialized goal or goals.”(Koontz and O’Donnell 1959). Certain traits are attributed to leaders, which make them stand above the rest of their group (Yukl 1989). Studies have shown that traits in people determine who are the leaders and who are the followers (Kirkpatrick ad Locke 1991).
There are three general skills or competencies required of leader. Fist, he/she must know how to diagnose a situation or a target group that he/she wants to influence. In psychology, this is referred to as the cognitive competency. Meaning, a leader must be quick to understand a given situation and act accordingly. (Blanchard and Lorber 1987). Second is behavioural competency where he/she must know how to adapt tot present situations using all available resources to meet contingencies. Other refers to this aspect as the E.Q. or emotional quotient level (Tannenbaun et. al 1958). Third is the process competency where a leader must know to communicate to others in such a way that they are easily understood and accepted (Hersey and Blanchard 1993).
Accordingly, there are many leadership theories and models, which have been developed over the years. Most of these theories are interrelated and should be regarded together in order to come up with a good self-assessment as to the degree of leadership of a person possesses.
In assessing my leadership skills, abilities and experiences, I would rely mostly on the feedback I received on my colleagues, my performance appraisal results and my self-assessment based on my past experiences.
Peer Assessment
Based on our working definition of what is leader, I asked my co-leagues to fill-up a
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