Leadership is complex, no two leaders are the same from the way they handle power, to personal attributes and even the struggles again stereotypes, especially for women. Oxford (2014) defines leadership as “The action of leading a group of people or an organization” but what make leaders great? Leaders are a representation of a community, business or people; they speak on their behalf and are rallied behind for change. Power is what sets leaders into the history books, with power comes an idea, something radical the people feel passionate, demanding for action. Qualities of a good leader are constantly being researched to find why some leaders are more successful then others, although similarities occur, it all depends on history, context and an idea. Women in leadership have to break stereotypes usually enforcing great change and communication with the followers more, where men focus on the task and have a stricter style of leadership.
When thinking of leadership mainly the same example spring to mind for most people, Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela even Hitler, they all have common attributes, power from the people. Discussions have been formed in the interest of how certain leaders gain power and by examining popular leaders that have revolutionised the world, researchers hope to find common attributes and leadership styles. Authentic Leadership as described by McShane, Olekalns and Travaglione, (2013, p 384) is a powerful aspect of leadership as it requires for the leader to know and be comfortable with themselves, only then can they be role models to others. This style of leadership also incorporates short term and long-term goals the leaders strive to achieve while under power. Powerful leaders always have a goal th...
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...ader great. Power is what in the traditional sense makes a leader with certain styles of leadership power can be shared between the leader and its followers like inclusive leadership more popular with women. Or a directive style giving all the power to the leader but less communication form men prefer. Similar qualities occur in the world’s most powerful leaders but that is because they all rallied behind a revolutionary idea that has shaped the world, as we know it today. These leaders have confidence, courage and timing, enrapturing followers promising change and being a role model for the people. Without leaders the people wouldn’t have a voice, all styles of leadership cater to different occasions, great leaders aren’t born they can learn these skills and women have just a much right as men to lead it is only societies stereotypes which are holding them back.
Throughout the centuries, this world has maintained various leaders that have ruled far and wide, or a small domain. All of which had various roles, morals, goals, etc.; some infamous, some admired, and some truly despised. There is a vast amount of written works pertaining to become a great leader. Lao-Tzu and Niccoló Machiavelli are prime examples of people who have written works about the topic, yet their views and ideas differ greatly. Yet, despite their opposite views, their intake and thoughts about leadership, both Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli’s indulge logically and carefully on a more personal and human level.
According to Dr. Karlene Kerfoot, “research tells us that the leadership traits of the person in charge work either as a magnet to attract, retain, and inspire or as a force that repels” (Kerfoot 2006, p. 25) and in support of this statement she makes reference to the fact that many persons go to work for a specific company with enthusiasm and eagerness and ultimately leave disappointed because of the management. “People are generally hungry for personalized leadership that speaks to their hearts”, says Dr.Kerfoot and this type of leadership motivates them to accomplish task and complete projects they deem difficult or impossible (Kerfoot 2006, p. 25)
In this book, the authors Tom Rath and Barry Conchie examine the question “What are the keys to being an effective leader?” To answer this question they had a team that reviewed data collected from Gallup polls. The data came from interviews from 20,000 senior leaders, over a million teams and more than fifty years of Gallup Polls of the most admired leaders in the world. The authors then had the team do a study of more than 10,000 followers to find out why they follow the influential leaders in their life.
The foreground of leadership is an individual’s enhanced capacity to direct others into a path that they are supposed to tread upon. However, such power is not immediately incurred by a person. The idea of developing leadership skills from a very young age is somewhat vague in its own form. Though, there is the existence of instinct. The way humans think and the way the physical, mental and emotional attributes humans develop through time affects the way they act upon others; which eventually affects their instinct. When it comes to developing leadership instinct, Helen Fisher intends to show how women have a naturally-based personal development that leads them into growing up with talents for leadership. In her article entitled The Natural Leadership Talents of Women, she points out how scientific evidence supports such idea and how this information could actually help organizations today when it comes to designating women leaders in their teams.
Leadership is a quality which cannot be acquired by any person from the other but it can be acquired by self-determination of a person. Leadership can best be called the personality of the very highest ability-whether in ruling, thinking, imagining, innovation, warring, or religious influencing. Leadership is practiced not so much in words a it is in attitude and in actions. Their actions leave a long lasting memory in the line of history and lead up to may events that occur today. To be a leader one will need many qualities. Leaders have a purpose and strategies to accomplish that purpose. They are driven and motivated. In the end they should be able to attain good results. These innate talents help to make up a leader that will succeed and be efficient in carrying out tasks. But, the purpose of this paper is determine what truly makes a leader successful. A successful leader should be considered more on their impact rather than their accomplishments of their organizations alone for they are not sufficient in determining the key to their success .
Our world is filled with many successful leaders. The gift of being a leader can be learned; however some individuals have a natural born talent to be a leader. Each leader has his or her own unique leadership style. The gift of being a leader can be learned. Certain individuals are born with a charismatic style and can easily be a leader. A successful leader is one who can inspire and motivate people towards a goal. Martin Luther King Jr. was an individual with a born gift to lead people. The following paper will discuss how Martin Luther King Jr. was able to inspire and motivate people with his effective leadership style.
How to become a successful and strong leader? What are essential characteristics that are imperative to become one? These questions were asked many centuries ago, as well as they are asked today. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote one of the most influential treatises on leadership that is still utilized in politics and management today. One of the defining conceptions he explores is locating a balance between being virtuous and righteous and practicing carefully selected deceit and cunning.
Leadership is all about having the right amount of heart and determination to help make a difference in someone’s life. It takes certain qualities to be considered a good leader. A leader should want to help inspire others to make a change and to be the best that they can be. A true leader does not need to feel powerful, instead they empower those around them. Throughout my life I have come across various leaders who have made an impact on my life. It takes a very special person to inspire and touch people’s lives. Leadership is so much deeper than having power and bossing people around.
Leadership can be defined in many ways, but one thing all leaders have in common is determination to get a task done. Although leaders may carry out this action in many different ways they all do what needs to be done in order to reach their goal. Florence Nightingale was willing to gather a group of women and pick up and leave her home to tend to the wounded soldiers of the Crimean War.
The reading assignment for this unit included reading several articles and one book in particular, The Female Advantage, by Sally Helgesen as an introduction into varying leadership styles. Leadership, as a honed craft is practiced continually in different ways and varying circumstances, no two individuals will have the same leadership style. Certain distinctive traits brought into the forum and on display for followers to observe. Some traits can be visible, clothing or skin color as examples, others, however, are not as visible such as upbringing or family situation. Each of these factors could play a role in the leadership style of a leader. One trait that the author of the book uses to distinguish leaders is gender. As much as men and women must be treated the fairly and equally, it cannot be denied that outside of the biological aspect, men and women are slightly different. Each gender brings a unique approach to leadership situations.
Leadership can be shown through any person in any type of situation. In a classroom discussion, on the playing field, or in public a sign of a leader is evident. A person is born a leader. Certain humans know what to do when the time calls for it. Many people in positions can be entitled a leader such as basketball players. Even a famous movie star can be given this title. These people are not true leaders. True leaders are the belaboring teachers and the intellectual speakers. These are the people who show that leadership is an action, not a position.
Leaders will no matter what have an influence on our world. They have missions, dreams and ambition, and with these things they are bound to go far. For leaders, what makes these dreams come true is having strong qualities such as leadership practices, values and strengths. If developed and learned how to use correctly, these are what take leaders to the next level and accomplish great things. In the following paper I will talk about leadership in our ever-changing world, explore my leadership practices, values and strengths as well as elaborate on the goals I have made to challenge myself as a leader.
Women have qualities that make them more adaptable to the emotional climate, to handling conflicts, to think about the development of people and their human needs, compassion, care of the planet, commitment and responsibility. Who better than a woman who is prepared to deal with responsibilities in leadership positions with unique features to handle such matters. Female leadership is a model to take into account, a model to support and one which we can expect excellent results in a sustainable and equitable manner for all involved. Every day women face the challenge of reentry into the job market, and being the primary caretaker for their children, compounded with diversity issues and concerns. For these reason it is challenging to be a women with power in leadership.
This book emphasizes on theories of becoming a leader, it is not a “how to” book by any means. Bennis states how leaders contribute to society and how crucial they are, along with the characteristics that come along with being a leader. He provides intriguing insight about leaders and emphasizes the integrity and authenticity that such people carry. In this reading, Bennis (the author) recognizes an immense amount of traits/characteristics a leader possesses which are: maturity, curiosity, trust, passion, guiding vision, candor, self knowledge, and daring. Bennis claims that people are not born with these traits, and that people gain these traits by pushing themselves to exceed others.
Women, on the other hand, are difficult to classify as a good leaders because in order to be a leader, we often need to sacrifice our femininity. This belief...