What Makes an Effective Leader
What Makes an Effective Leader?
Is a Leader Born, or Can They be Made?
What makes an effective leader? Is a leader born, or can they be made? This paper will attempt to answer these questions and explain what it takes to become a truly effective leader. First we will discuss what an effective leader is exactly, and then move on to describing what it takes to become someone like that.
What makes a truly effective leader? Are effective leaders only found on the battlefield or the sports arena? No, leaders are found everywhere. Teachers, welders, students, laborers, managers, the list can go on and on. Leaders are found everywhere. According to Lussier & Achua (2013), “Leadership is the influencing process of leaders and followers to achieve organizational objectives through change.” So, in essence, you are already a leader if you influence a follower. A parent is leader to their child, a teacher to their pupil. So, now we know what a leader is, but what makes a leader effective? Hourston (2013) and Drucker (2006), as well as DeKlein & Penstone (1997) have plenty to say on this subject. Drucker (2006) tells us, in his first paragraph, that in order to become an effective executive, “…the executive is…expected to get the right things done.” But what does that mean? It means that effective executives take responsibility for their actions. That they asked, “What needs to be done, & What is right for the organization?” That they develop action plans and focus on opportunities, rather than problems. That they worked as a team, rather than on their own. And, finally, that they run productive meetings. (Drucker 2006) But, can these practices help turn your average executive into a truly effective executive? Well, there is much more than these eight simple practices. Drucker (2006) lead off with telling us that we are not effective unless we get the right things done.
A person can look really busy,
Is a Leader Born, or Can They be Made?
What makes an effective leader? Is a leader born, or can they be made? This paper will attempt to answer these questions and explain what it takes to become a truly effective leader. First we will discuss what an effective leader is exactly, and then move on to describing what it takes to become someone like that.
What makes a truly effective leader? Are effective leaders only found on the battlefield or the sports arena? No, leaders are found everywhere. Teachers, welders, students, laborers, managers, the list can go on and on. Leaders are found everywhere. According to Lussier & Achua (2013), “Leadership is the influencing process of leaders and followers to achieve organizational objectives through change.” So, in essence, you are already a leader if you influence a follower. A parent is leader to their child, a teacher to their pupil. So, now we know what a leader is, but what makes a leader effective? Hourston (2013) and Drucker (2006), as well as DeKlein & Penstone (1997) have plenty to say on this subject. Drucker (2006) tells us, in his first paragraph, that in order to become an effective executive, “…the executive is…expected to get the right things done.” But what does that mean? It means that effective executives take responsibility for their actions. That they asked, “What needs to be done, & What is right for the organization?” That they develop action plans and focus on opportunities, rather than problems. That they worked as a team, rather than on their own. And, finally, that they run productive meetings. (Drucker 2006) But, can these practices help turn your average executive into a truly effective executive? Well, there is much more than these eight simple practices. Drucker (2006) lead off with telling us that we are not effective unless we get the right things done.
A person can look really busy,
Bibliography: Drucker, P. (2006). The Effective Executive. New York, NY. HarperCollins Drucker provides a plethora of knowledge covering what makes an effective executive Economy, P. (August 27, 2013). 7 Traits of Highly Effective Leaders. Inc. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/peter-economy/7-traits-highly-effective-leaders.html Mr Keirsey, D. & Bates, M. (5th Ed.). (1984). Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Type. Del Mar, CA. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company.