Leadership Assignment

BBUS 3671

Nan Zhao (9586652)

Amy Tucker

29 May 2014

Assignment 1: What Does It Mean To Be A Leader?

Part A: The Nature of Leadership and Management

1•Discuss one similarity and one difference in the way leadership has been defined. (6 marks)

Similarity: leadership has been defined in various ways. However, those definitions do have something in common. For example, leadership is a kind of ability, ability to lead, and this ability is often associated with some other skills and abilities such as teamwork skills, communication skills, innovation ability etc.

Difference: some definitions indicate that the leadership is actually the leader of a group or an organization, or a person who guides or directs a group.

2•Explain the trait and power-influence approaches to leadership. (10 marks)

“The trait approach looks at the personal attributes of leaders” (Yukl, 1989). For example, creativity, passion, determination, innovation, foresight. The power-influence approach examines the effectiveness of leadership to a person in terms of different power that person possesses. (Yukl, 1989)

3•Write a brief analysis about the relationship between managing and leading. (12 marks)

Managing Leading

Focus on plans and budgets Focus on people

Concerned about present, now Future-oriented

Control and direct Motivate and inspire

Accept status quo Challenge it

4•Describe two practices of current leadership theories that are evident in your workplace. Include an example and supporting analysis. (16 marks)

Since I have never worked, I will describe some leadership theories that are evident in school.

Trait theory:

What characteristics or traits make a person a leader?

There always has been teamwork assignment or project in my college, and we need to eith...

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...or: employees will not feel too much pressure

•Proactive: take precautions before it is too late; think ahead

Plan:

 Take an active part in school and extracurricular activities.

 Look for a job.

 Since I my workplace is at school, I should volunteer to be the leader for the following teamwork.

 Believe that anyone can be a leader

 Thinking Like a Leader when I have to make decisions.

•Write a summary statement of what you think it means to lead from within. (8 marks)

A person does not have to be born with certain traits to lead. Leadership is not a privilege, and everyone can be a good leader if they have enough confidence, determination and patience. Lead form within means from the heart, step by step taking the responsibility to positively influence people.

Yukl, G. A. 1989. Leadership in Organizations. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall