Levels Of Leadership Essay

Levels of Leadership

Leadership styles reflect a manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people. Traditionally, effective leadership styles were thought of a one size fits all, leaders picked one approach and used it all situations. In today’s world, successful leaders recognize the style of leadership is relative to given situation, based on analyzing the employees and the organization. Leadership styles are most effective when the actions of a leader reflect what is best for individuals and the organization, simultaneously. Leadership styles ultimately affect human behavior, and according to James G. Clawson, change occurs at three levels: Level one leadership is focused on visible behavior patterns.

Conscience thoughts give meaning to visible behavior. We cannot understand the thoughts of individuals without understanding behavior. A leader cannot motivated and control the behavior of individuals without aligning their thought process. And vice versa, behavior reflect the thought process. Therefore, Level one and level two leadership must be used interchangeable to harness optimum results. Both styles share a goal of understanding the human activity to motivate employees for maximum results. However, both styles are remarkably distinct and different in their approaches. Level one leadership focuses on visible behavior: orders, commands, threats, intimidation, incentives, and bonuses. It assumes that workers are primarily motivated by the lower order needs of Maslow’s hierarchy (physiological and safety needs) and that effective management requires strict and often punitive micromanagement. Level two leadership focuses on conscious thoughts: Arguments, rationale, data, citations, references, evidence, and manipulation. It focuses on needs of Maslow’s hierarchy, strict micromanagement. In addition, it creates the right conditions and organizational culture which motivates workers to pursue those needs by adding value to the

It is also about worldviews, beliefs, values, and principles. A leader must have defining beliefs for direction, values for guidance, and principles for motivation to transform thought and behavior. Both level one and level two leadership can be used by leaders with a Christian Worldview. Leaders have a significant influence on their organizations. In Level One Leadership Orders, commands should be issued with a reflection of Christian values v servant leadership, and love. It is the responsibility of the Christian leadership to recognize and affirm employees for their efforts. Also to pat them on the back for a job well done, to commend and publicize their successes, and to actively support their continued effort on behalf of the organization. Thessalonian 5:11 states “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” In Level two leadership rationale, data, and evidence should be fair and just. Proverbs 16:8 states, Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. IT is essential to work hard on achieving goals, but, the means should be justified by the results; and not the secular idea of “ the results should justify the means.” A Christian leader is more interested in doing things the right