Leadership Definition Essay

Leadership Definition

How would you define leadership? (250 words maximum)

There are several ways to define leadership. A process that influences other people to achieve an objective and guides the company or community in a way to make it more coherent and cohesive is called leadership. We can also define leadership as a process of leading people in the right direction in order to achieve goals. Leaders apply leadership attributes such as values, knowledge and skills to implement this process in any organization. Leadership ensures that that the organization works successfully and accomplishes the desired goals. It motivates people to excel in the field they are working.

Leadership does not mean yelling at your followers to accomplish certain tasks. Leadership...show more content...

Leadership makes its followers want to accomplish high goals. Thus, leadership will be aptly defined as a process that encourages the followers to achieve their objectives. Leadership qualities are not inborn but can be developed gradually through education and self–study. Leadership is about awakening the persistence and passion among its followers, colleagues, friends, community members to get the desired result. Some have defined leadership as an ability to transform dream into reality.

I see leadership in my late father who is a model for me in life; he has been a great influence on my life. His ethics and values, his energy during difficult times still serve as example to me, while Dr Mo Ibrahim is a role model for me in professional life and for my vision of success. I have seen first–hand the difference between effective and ineffective leaders. The leaders who are most effective seem to have the proper balance of power and compassion. Their teams listen to them and carry out their directions, but not because they have to. They do it because they trust the leader and want to help the team succeed. I want to learn more about this balance at HEC. Only in this way, will I be able to lead a team of people to realizing the goals of the company and my

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What is Leadership? Essay

What is leadership? When examining this question it is important to understand what it means to be a leader within an organization. "Leadership is the influencing process of leaders and followers to achieve organizational objectives through change (Achua, 2010, p. 6). Leaders serves people best when they help them develop their own initiative and good judgment, enable them to grow, and help them become better contributors (Thomas S Bateman, 2010, p. 66). Unlike management leadership flows from the core of a personality and cannot be taught; although leadership can be learned and may be enhanced through coaching and mentoring. Leadership involves unique processes that are distinguishable from basic management processes (Thomas S Bateman,...show more content...

Yet, many leaders say the exact opposite believing leaders are mostly born. Executives who believe that leaders are born, give less attention to leader development, both their personal development as well the development of those they lead. Instead they are focused on selecting leaders with the "right stuff", and expecting that those leaders' natural abilities will mean organizational success. Research has shown clearly that extroverts have greater leadership potential than introverts. Extroversion is only an–in born leadership advantage if one also learns and develops effective communication skills. (Shane, 2010, pp. 17–120). Many believe that leadership –whatever form it takes–cannot be taught and that leaders are born not made. Elizabeth Winslow, director of the Cohen leadership development program at Tuck–trucking Company, has no trucks with the mentality of "Leadership can be taught," she insists, and anyone is capable of showing leadership. It's all about learning when the step up and when to let others step up." However, business author Henry Mintzberg thinks leadership –like management– can't be taught. Leadership is "earned" by gaining the respect of others at work, he said, and schools that clam to teach leadership are "dishonest". Winslow, unsurprisingly, would beg to differ but admits even some of her student's starts off skeptically. "We have to convince them that everyone is capable of leadership", she

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Essay on Leadership Definition

Leadership Definition

There are lots of definitions and interpretations for the term LEADERSHIP. One is "A relationship through which one person influences the behaviour or actions of other people" (Mullins, L.J. 2002, Management and Organisational Behaviour, 6th Edition, FT Publishing, p904). Another popular definition would be, "the process of influencing an organization or groups within an organization in its efforts towards achieving a goal" (Johnson, Scholes & Whittington, 2005, Exploring Corporate Strategy, 7th Edition, FT Prentice Hall, p.519)

Leadership Theories on Behaviour

To me, leaders are constantly surrounding us. People constantly need to be led and they seek out individuals around them who have personalities ...show more content...

We shall reflect the above theories in twogreat leaders: Sir Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler.

Their Similarities in Behaviour

Sir Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler have many similar qualities; these qualities enabled them to be most influential people of their time. Churchill and Hitler are both very determined and modest; they worked tirelessly for their countries and causes they represent. Both have an eye for details, Churchill would require an extensive walkthrough of the departments under his lead for every new post he takes up, while Hitler had an incredible memory for details, every point made must be correct and consistent with previous briefings or he would be annoyed with the discrepancies. They are intelligent, excellent public speakers and most importantly, they have the self–belief and confidence to continue to fight for their cause (both reasons are at the extreme of each other). Their confidences were not influenced by their failures.

Their Differences in Behaviour

Adolf Hitler had motivated thousands of people to action for his cause. He inspired powerful emotional loyalty in his followers – the loyalty that spawned the intense effort and sacrifice among his followers. Hitler's ideas may have been illogical but the fact is he convinced people that these were ideas worth listening and living for. He has charisma, confidence and excellent speaking skills to make people believe in Get more content

Concept of Leadership

Concept of Leadership

Leadership – what is it? Many definitions have been offered, cultural stereotypes abound, numerous programs focus on leadership development, but the question remains. In fact, leadership is many different things to different people in different circumstances. When we think ofleadership, we often think first of famous individuals. We may think of great political leaders: Washington, Churchill, Roosevelt. We may think of the leaders of social movements: Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Caesar Chavez. We may think of spiritual leaders: Jesus, Mohammed, Mother Theresa. Do we also include in our definition some of the infamous leaders such as Hitler, Stalin, or David Koresh? Obviously, leadership is not always or...show more content...

In Leadership Is an Art (1989), De Pree asserts that "the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality". Bennis (1990) writes that leaders "manage the dream" . Vision is defined as "the force which molds meaning for the people of an organization" by Manasse (1986).

According to Manasse, this aspect of leadership is "visionary leadership" and includes four different types of vision: organization, future, personal, and strategic. Organizational vision involves having a complete picture of a system's components as well as an understanding of their interrelationships. "Future vision is a comprehensive picture of how an organization will look at some point in the future, including how it will be positioned in its environment and how it will function internally" (Manasse, 1986). Personal vision includes the leader's personal aspirations for the organization and acts as the impetus for the leader's actions that will link organizational and future vision. "Strategic vision involves connecting the reality of the present (organizational vision) to the possibilities of the future (future vision) in a unique way (personal vision) that is appropriate for the organization and its leader" (Manasse, 1986). A leader's vision needs to be shared by those who will be involved in the realization of the vision.

Shared Vision.

An important

Effective Leadership Essay

In today's competitive world, leadership skills are crucial for both personal and professional development. Leadership is an important function of management which helps an individual or a business to maximize efficiency and to achieve goals. Leadership has different meanings to various authors.Most commonly, leadership is defined as influence, that is, the art of influencing people so that they will strive willingly and enthusiastically toward the achievement of group goals. (Koontz). Leadership is the process of influencing the activities of either formal or informal group in the task of goal setting and goal achievement. A leader is one whose magnetic personality innervates people for some cause. Not by words, but by their actions is...show more content...

People requires good leadership skills at personal, professional and social level. Personal leadership helps us to determine our desires, strengths and abilities. It means Knowing what we want out of life; knowing what success is for us; what are our goals and how to achieve those goals regardless of what other people think, say, or do. Personal leadership helps us to make our present better and shape a good future. Good leadership is also important to run a business. Usually, in companies, management stresses more on decision– making skills. They believe a timely and smart decision will help their company to succeed. They forget that implementation of those decisions are as important as making those decision. Without a proper implementation , there will be no results. Like there is a saying that, it's easier to said than done. Similarly, making a decision will change nothing, its how to get things done in a timely and an effective way will help an organization to accomplish their goals. Leadership is crucial in implementing decisions correctly and successfully. Each of us understand importance of leadership when it comes to our country. We all try to vote for the best person in elections because it matters who is in office. President make decisions concerning our lives, country, and the world. As a nation, we place no greater responsibility on any one individual than we do on the president. Therefore, leadership

Definition Of Leadership

1.I define leadership as setting a determined example through personal actions and ethics that influences others to greater levels of performance. I set a high standard for myself. I expect the same of others. I strongly believe in setting the example for those around me as a result of poor leaders I have had the misfortune to serve under in the past. I have worked for Chiefs who had no idea what I, or those that worked with and for me, did on a daily basis. I have worked for Chief's whose relationships with the chain of command were so toxic they forced me to work around them in order to accomplish any tasks. I have worked for Master Chiefs who stepped into a job where they had no clue what our division's purpose was; rather than learn it,...show more content...

However, if I am to find the best version of myself, I must look at this as I would any piece of electronics that can be fine–tuned. In black–and–white terms, I am the transmitter that must be calibrated for peak performance. I want to improve myself. So what am I missing? As Kouzes and Posner say, "Exemplary leaders are forward–looking, able to envision the future and enlist others to support it. Leaders who Inspire a Shared Vision can gaze across the horizon of time and imagine the greater opportunities to come. They see something out ahead and are able to develop an ideal and unique image of the future for the common good." (Kouzes, James M., Barry Z. Posner, and Elaine Biech. A coach's guide to developing exemplary leaders: Making the most of the leadership challenge and the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI). Vol. 202. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.) I want to be an exemplary leader for my Petty Officers and Junior Officers. I now recognize that the words of the Commandant's Strategic Intent are backed up by the actions carried out under the Commandant's Strategic Plans. The plans guide the decision makers who are creating, adapting, and eliminating policy. They identify why we are making significant changes in the Cyber or Arctic realm. If I know the plans, I can better prepare my subordinates for what's to come. Using my feedback form, ref (a,) I have three of my four lowest scoring areas of focus in mind for Get more content