The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet- Theodore M. Hesburgh
The leadership model applied in the firms and multinational companies focus on the visionary aspect of the leadership. Having a clearly defined vision is imperative for a leader, or else it would be like he is rowing in the sea to aimlessly, totally at the mercy of waves to decide his destination.
Visionary leadership is a step towards a promising success for, visionary leaders entirely focuses their energies on the goal and, aim at bringing out the best in the individuals by concentrating more on opportunities rather than confining obstacles. He takes initiatives, suggest solutions, take timely decisions and implement it with help of rightly guided subordinates to turn the obstacles in to opportunities.
Sense Of Ownership
Visionary leadership can only be attained if a leader feels like being owner of the authorities given to him. Only when he feels it deep from the heart and exercise his authorities, he will be more likely to appear as a visionary leader by sharing his vision with followers. The idealism of the vision can be changed in to realism only when the leader shares his vision with the delegates and empower them by giving them their due authority and responsibility.
Source Of Inspiration
Visionary leaderships is rewarding and demanding at the time. You have to stand up passionately for your decisions and face the criticism optimistically and whole heartedly. Moreover, you have to bear the brunt of any mishap or any action on the part of subordinate. This is to manifest the true commitment from deep inside down, through words as well as actions; this strong, unbeatable commitment would be a source of inspiration and motivation for the subordinates. This very source of inspiration and motivation will engulf the subordinates and leaders, infusing in them a spiritual inclination towards hard work, which would bring the best out of them.
Good Communication Skills
Comprehensible and good communication skills are crucial to be attained to exercise the leadership of vision. The visionary leader has to appear black, rather than gray, in the midst of white crowds; and only when he is able to communicate articulately, convey his vision fluently and enthusiastically, he would appear as an effective leader. This skill is essential to gain support in the organization as well as among the peers and, also to have an influence on others. All the same, in visionary leadership, the leader has to appear as more friendly leader rather than bossy, classic leader.
Favorable Working Environment
Visionary leaders have to frame the working aura in such a way that subordinates feel like doing creative and rewarding work. It can be done so by keeping them involved in the work and by allowing them to come up with creative ideas and productive decisions. They dedication of the subordinates should be appreciated so that they can believe on their superb potential. Encourage them to share their problems and what improvements they want in work. When such shared leadership would be practiced, the subordinates would be able to understand the vision and his expectations, enabling them to mould their efforts in such a way to attain breakthroughs in the work environment.
Such a clear vision, mutual understanding and strong relationship is the essence of all the organizations and only visionary leadership could pave the way to success of such organizations.
Showing posts with label visionary leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label visionary leadership. Show all posts
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Characteristics Of Transformational Leadership Traits-A Way To Promising Success!!
Defining leadership, we can say that it is a relationship between leader and followers based on ability and position, with an aim to achieve the certain goals, which is made possible through conducive environment, mutual understanding and effective communication; allowing the clear insight of vision and the steps to attain it, to the followers .
To have a successful leadership is quintessential in today’s era, to tackle effectively the cloud of adversities hovering over one head. Every niche on this planet is hunting for an effective leadership, be it a prospering organization or an illustrious school, a cornered kiosk or a grooming saloon, an agency or government institutions or simply a four-walled, comfy home; an ideal leadership is the imperative necessity of all.
The unending demand of creative leadership leads too many questions in one’s mind as what are the traits one should possess to come up as an authentic leader.In fact, authentic leadership is nothing, merely being a set of qualities that makes a person prominent in the sea of ordinarily-skilled people. However, these traits can be nurtured too.
Vision
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. - Theodore Hesburgh
As the quote implies, first and foremost quality of thriving leadership is the leadership vision. Visionary leadership has a clear map of where to go. The visionary leader possess the ability to make concrete assessment of tomorrow and have the clear cut imaginative ideas to lead an organization or a team to an alluring accomplishment.
Judgment
Being able to analyze the fact and theories effectively and making apt decisions on these bases is quintessential for successful and effective leadership. The leadership where facts can not be weighed properly and alternatives and decisions are not taken correctly, the success is highly uncertain. It requires the critical analysis of data, keeping in view the problems and solutions and then making confident decisions, no matter how uncertain the situation is.
Decisiveness
The ability to make swift decision, after critical analysis and careful judgment of the facts, figures is what the true demand of time. The prompt but correct decisions of leader are what shape the destiny of an organization and of people associated with it. Hence, it is indispensable to come up with logical decision even in highly unfavorable aura so that hopes and aspirations of people are not shattered.
Good-communicator
Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves. - Stephen Covey
The best of leadership trait is having the good communication skills for influential leadership. More articulately and more fluently a leader is able to communicate his ideas and vision, more properly it would be achieved by followers. Good communication skills boost up mutual understanding between the followers and leader, who in turn work confidently in the most appropriate manner, to attain the desired goal.
Initiator
Once the decision is taken, even if it be welcomed with criticism, the duty of leaders is to take initiative towards it designed policy to make it apparent that you are confident of your decision that would eventually bear fruits. It will be helpful in instilling trust and confidence in followers, who make then collective effort to attain it.
Unselfishness
A true leadership trait to be possessed by all is the unselfishness i.e. giving priority to the work before concerning for self. It’ll be inspiring and motivating for the followers who will then do the same by being loyal and fully committed to the work, leading to a promised success.
Loyalty
Being loyal and fully committed to the work is what the initial demand of success. The leadership, if is loyal and honest to the company, the followers will then be loyal too. If the leader is able to inspire this uncanny loyalty in his followers, the immense collective commitment can be expected from all.
Disciplined
Deeply disciplined actions and thoughts are hall marks in the wide array of “best leadership qualities.” A disciplined leader ensures the correct prioritization of the tasks and remains adhered to the vision and mission of the organization, along with the organized involvement of team, so as to bring out the best. Its helps them to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in a systematic way, within the entrusted time frame, with least possible distraction.
Self-confidence
A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune. - Anon
Self-confidence, a key to successful leadership. It’s about having faith on your abilities and judgments, in spite of confining and piercing criticism. This invincible leadership characteristic allows the person to stick to the decision and be optimistic in dealing with all the hurdles that come in his way. All this can be achieved through leadership vision and setting smaller goals to let yourself trust on your abilities and becoming firm on your decision gradually. This will ensures the personal development of a person, too.
Integrity
Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions. Harold Geneen
Leader must possess integrity that is being honest and truthful in character and actions so that followers could trust him and follow him. As long as his actions reflect his words, followers will put complete trust on his policies and will be all the time willing whole heartedly to give the best. Followers will approach him all the time for, they trust on him.
Perseverance
It demands the leader to put all its time and energy on the set goals to ensure the promising achievements. This leadership skill sets as an inspiration for the followers, who on visualizing the dedication and sincerity on the part of leader; feel motivated to give to the fullest, which results in the better and timely attainment of the assigned targets.
Magnanimity
Magnanimity allows the leader to give the followers their due credit. A successful leadership truly acknowledges the crucial part played by followers and gives them their due reward, so as to ensure the consistency on their part. It also demands the leader to be the sole absorbent of failures and discouraging remarks, preventing any remote hint of it to the followers, for the optimism to diffuse itself all over the team thus, ensuring the lasting triumph. It does not imply that you keep the followers in dark, regarding the hard truths, but you convey them in an optimistic way so that their performance is least affected.
Openness
Being open to the criticism, new ideas and feedback is exceptionally essential for the collective development of leadership and followers. It will ensure the influx of challenging and new ideas that will nourish their vision more finely, making the goal more interesting and fascinating to be achieved. It will also result in the personal development of the followers and leaders.Moreover, being open to the feedback by follower would allow the mutual understanding to boost between leader and follower and will remove any existing misunderstandings.
Endurance
Gradually when you are acknowledged as an effective leader, the more you are burdened with challenging tasks and confronting criticism. At this crucial time, the perseverance and patience is highly important leadership trait. The leader must possess mental and physical stamina to endure the gloomy aura, so as to be welcomed by warm, bright success. It can be done well by focusing solely on your goal and being firmly confident of what you do.
Courage
Ability to accept constructive criticism is the hallmark of leadership trait. As long as the leader take the criticism with good heart and drive better results from it, the leader can ensure the success by driving and implementing different ideas from the criticism.
Justice
One of the indispensable leadership characteristic is being impartial and consistent in decisions and dealings. He must listen to everyone’s voice with equal importance and then jump to conclusions, considering the facts, without even the tinge of unfairness and favoritism.when the followers perceive that they are treated fairly and are given their due rights, they would be more loyal and committed to the organization and the leader.
The people who possess the useful amalgamation of these entire leadership traits would eventually be prominent in the midst of ordinary crowds and will guide the destination of many towards eternal success since, all the leadership challenges and hurdles could easily be tackled by such a leader and his vision is based on the collective good for all!!
To have a successful leadership is quintessential in today’s era, to tackle effectively the cloud of adversities hovering over one head. Every niche on this planet is hunting for an effective leadership, be it a prospering organization or an illustrious school, a cornered kiosk or a grooming saloon, an agency or government institutions or simply a four-walled, comfy home; an ideal leadership is the imperative necessity of all.
The unending demand of creative leadership leads too many questions in one’s mind as what are the traits one should possess to come up as an authentic leader.In fact, authentic leadership is nothing, merely being a set of qualities that makes a person prominent in the sea of ordinarily-skilled people. However, these traits can be nurtured too.
Vision
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. - Theodore Hesburgh
As the quote implies, first and foremost quality of thriving leadership is the leadership vision. Visionary leadership has a clear map of where to go. The visionary leader possess the ability to make concrete assessment of tomorrow and have the clear cut imaginative ideas to lead an organization or a team to an alluring accomplishment.
Judgment
Being able to analyze the fact and theories effectively and making apt decisions on these bases is quintessential for successful and effective leadership. The leadership where facts can not be weighed properly and alternatives and decisions are not taken correctly, the success is highly uncertain. It requires the critical analysis of data, keeping in view the problems and solutions and then making confident decisions, no matter how uncertain the situation is.
Decisiveness
The ability to make swift decision, after critical analysis and careful judgment of the facts, figures is what the true demand of time. The prompt but correct decisions of leader are what shape the destiny of an organization and of people associated with it. Hence, it is indispensable to come up with logical decision even in highly unfavorable aura so that hopes and aspirations of people are not shattered.
Good-communicator
Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves. - Stephen Covey
The best of leadership trait is having the good communication skills for influential leadership. More articulately and more fluently a leader is able to communicate his ideas and vision, more properly it would be achieved by followers. Good communication skills boost up mutual understanding between the followers and leader, who in turn work confidently in the most appropriate manner, to attain the desired goal.
Initiator
Once the decision is taken, even if it be welcomed with criticism, the duty of leaders is to take initiative towards it designed policy to make it apparent that you are confident of your decision that would eventually bear fruits. It will be helpful in instilling trust and confidence in followers, who make then collective effort to attain it.
Unselfishness
A true leadership trait to be possessed by all is the unselfishness i.e. giving priority to the work before concerning for self. It’ll be inspiring and motivating for the followers who will then do the same by being loyal and fully committed to the work, leading to a promised success.
Loyalty
Being loyal and fully committed to the work is what the initial demand of success. The leadership, if is loyal and honest to the company, the followers will then be loyal too. If the leader is able to inspire this uncanny loyalty in his followers, the immense collective commitment can be expected from all.
Disciplined
Deeply disciplined actions and thoughts are hall marks in the wide array of “best leadership qualities.” A disciplined leader ensures the correct prioritization of the tasks and remains adhered to the vision and mission of the organization, along with the organized involvement of team, so as to bring out the best. Its helps them to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in a systematic way, within the entrusted time frame, with least possible distraction.
Self-confidence
A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune. - Anon
Self-confidence, a key to successful leadership. It’s about having faith on your abilities and judgments, in spite of confining and piercing criticism. This invincible leadership characteristic allows the person to stick to the decision and be optimistic in dealing with all the hurdles that come in his way. All this can be achieved through leadership vision and setting smaller goals to let yourself trust on your abilities and becoming firm on your decision gradually. This will ensures the personal development of a person, too.
Integrity
Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions. Harold Geneen
Leader must possess integrity that is being honest and truthful in character and actions so that followers could trust him and follow him. As long as his actions reflect his words, followers will put complete trust on his policies and will be all the time willing whole heartedly to give the best. Followers will approach him all the time for, they trust on him.
Perseverance
It demands the leader to put all its time and energy on the set goals to ensure the promising achievements. This leadership skill sets as an inspiration for the followers, who on visualizing the dedication and sincerity on the part of leader; feel motivated to give to the fullest, which results in the better and timely attainment of the assigned targets.
Magnanimity
Magnanimity allows the leader to give the followers their due credit. A successful leadership truly acknowledges the crucial part played by followers and gives them their due reward, so as to ensure the consistency on their part. It also demands the leader to be the sole absorbent of failures and discouraging remarks, preventing any remote hint of it to the followers, for the optimism to diffuse itself all over the team thus, ensuring the lasting triumph. It does not imply that you keep the followers in dark, regarding the hard truths, but you convey them in an optimistic way so that their performance is least affected.
Openness
Being open to the criticism, new ideas and feedback is exceptionally essential for the collective development of leadership and followers. It will ensure the influx of challenging and new ideas that will nourish their vision more finely, making the goal more interesting and fascinating to be achieved. It will also result in the personal development of the followers and leaders.Moreover, being open to the feedback by follower would allow the mutual understanding to boost between leader and follower and will remove any existing misunderstandings.
Endurance
Gradually when you are acknowledged as an effective leader, the more you are burdened with challenging tasks and confronting criticism. At this crucial time, the perseverance and patience is highly important leadership trait. The leader must possess mental and physical stamina to endure the gloomy aura, so as to be welcomed by warm, bright success. It can be done well by focusing solely on your goal and being firmly confident of what you do.
Courage
Ability to accept constructive criticism is the hallmark of leadership trait. As long as the leader take the criticism with good heart and drive better results from it, the leader can ensure the success by driving and implementing different ideas from the criticism.
Justice
One of the indispensable leadership characteristic is being impartial and consistent in decisions and dealings. He must listen to everyone’s voice with equal importance and then jump to conclusions, considering the facts, without even the tinge of unfairness and favoritism.when the followers perceive that they are treated fairly and are given their due rights, they would be more loyal and committed to the organization and the leader.
The people who possess the useful amalgamation of these entire leadership traits would eventually be prominent in the midst of ordinary crowds and will guide the destination of many towards eternal success since, all the leadership challenges and hurdles could easily be tackled by such a leader and his vision is based on the collective good for all!!
Leadership Theories
Research has unveiled the many different aspects of the increasingly applicable and popular phenomenon-Leadership.The leadership styles, traits and theories, all are the result of the variety of analysis and different experiences.
The leadership theories are the result of such great effort. There lie the diversities of theories, depending on the varying situation and circumstances; the three most distinct are the trait theory, behavioral theory and contingency theory.
Trait Theory Of Leadership
Trait theory is derived from the “Great Man” theory and, it is based on the characteristics of people. It gives the impression that the effectiveness of leadership depends on the individual’s leadership characteristics. It deals with the personality, character and skills of the leaders.
Studies has shown that the effective leadership is deeply connected to the mental alertness of the leader, communication skills, confidence, thinking, time management and the persistence in his actions and plans.The more visionary the leader, the higher the probability is of success. The theory also emphasizes on the responsible behavior of the leader.
However, the trait theory is not universally applicable for the recent studies have unveiled the weak link between the leadership traits and the effective leadership. Moreover, the more advanced research are conducted, the different traits crop up. There can not be made the clear cut line of what traits a leader should acquire.
Also, the statistics reveal that the effective leader of the history did not possess all those traits and skills. It can be said that the choice of traits and skills to be exercised varies with the situation but, this theory does not outline these traits.
Based on this theory, it is concluded that leadership is the in born capability rather than the acquired one.
The leadership traits long with some necessary skills if applied well, keeping in view the situation leads to the overall success. Overall, there needs to be balanced approach in applying those possessed skills.
Behavioral Theory Of Leadership
Behavioral theory of leadership deals with the behavior of the leaders towards its subordinates.The autocratic leadership style, the democratic style, the employee-centered style etc; all are based on this leadership theory.
This theory focuses on the actions of the leaders rather than mental capabilities of the leader or their general traits. This theory creates the impression that the leadership is “learning” process. It leads to the idea of the “leadership Development” process.
This theory is universal for it highlights the behavior to be adopted subjected to different challenging situations and, the success factor can be well analyzed and can be polished for greater outcome.
Contingency Theory Of Leadership
The trait theory and the behavioral theory have not catered best to the diversified needs of the today’s fast-pace developing world as the time proved that the effective leadership does not only rely on the personality traits and behavior on an individual, the surrounding situation matters too. This evolved the contingency theory of leadership which concludes that the leadership styles to be adopted, differs with varying situations.
The leaders can not exercise the particular traits or behavior when dealing with all the situations, there needs to be change in the approach and the behavior based on the situations for an effective leadership. The situational variables include the extent of power granted to the leader; the nature of task, i.e. whether the goals are well explained or distorted and, the relationship between the leader and the followers.
Based on this theory, these situational factors are analyzed. If the power to be exercised by the leader is greater and the relationship between the followers and the leader consists of mutual understanding and good communication and the goal is clearly outlined, the democratic style is to be preferred. If there lays the contrary situation, the theory advises the leader to adopt the autocratic style.
However, if the situation is overall favorable with one missing element i.e. the authority to be exercised by the leader ranges widely and the communication between the followers and the leader is appreciable, too; and the goal is not well defined, then the employee-centered style is generally preferred, which focuses on the human relationships to attaining the task.
The leadership theories are the result of such great effort. There lie the diversities of theories, depending on the varying situation and circumstances; the three most distinct are the trait theory, behavioral theory and contingency theory.
Trait Theory Of Leadership
Trait theory is derived from the “Great Man” theory and, it is based on the characteristics of people. It gives the impression that the effectiveness of leadership depends on the individual’s leadership characteristics. It deals with the personality, character and skills of the leaders.
Studies has shown that the effective leadership is deeply connected to the mental alertness of the leader, communication skills, confidence, thinking, time management and the persistence in his actions and plans.The more visionary the leader, the higher the probability is of success. The theory also emphasizes on the responsible behavior of the leader.
However, the trait theory is not universally applicable for the recent studies have unveiled the weak link between the leadership traits and the effective leadership. Moreover, the more advanced research are conducted, the different traits crop up. There can not be made the clear cut line of what traits a leader should acquire.
Also, the statistics reveal that the effective leader of the history did not possess all those traits and skills. It can be said that the choice of traits and skills to be exercised varies with the situation but, this theory does not outline these traits.
Based on this theory, it is concluded that leadership is the in born capability rather than the acquired one.
The leadership traits long with some necessary skills if applied well, keeping in view the situation leads to the overall success. Overall, there needs to be balanced approach in applying those possessed skills.
Behavioral Theory Of Leadership
Behavioral theory of leadership deals with the behavior of the leaders towards its subordinates.The autocratic leadership style, the democratic style, the employee-centered style etc; all are based on this leadership theory.
This theory focuses on the actions of the leaders rather than mental capabilities of the leader or their general traits. This theory creates the impression that the leadership is “learning” process. It leads to the idea of the “leadership Development” process.
This theory is universal for it highlights the behavior to be adopted subjected to different challenging situations and, the success factor can be well analyzed and can be polished for greater outcome.
Contingency Theory Of Leadership
The trait theory and the behavioral theory have not catered best to the diversified needs of the today’s fast-pace developing world as the time proved that the effective leadership does not only rely on the personality traits and behavior on an individual, the surrounding situation matters too. This evolved the contingency theory of leadership which concludes that the leadership styles to be adopted, differs with varying situations.
The leaders can not exercise the particular traits or behavior when dealing with all the situations, there needs to be change in the approach and the behavior based on the situations for an effective leadership. The situational variables include the extent of power granted to the leader; the nature of task, i.e. whether the goals are well explained or distorted and, the relationship between the leader and the followers.
Based on this theory, these situational factors are analyzed. If the power to be exercised by the leader is greater and the relationship between the followers and the leader consists of mutual understanding and good communication and the goal is clearly outlined, the democratic style is to be preferred. If there lays the contrary situation, the theory advises the leader to adopt the autocratic style.
However, if the situation is overall favorable with one missing element i.e. the authority to be exercised by the leader ranges widely and the communication between the followers and the leader is appreciable, too; and the goal is not well defined, then the employee-centered style is generally preferred, which focuses on the human relationships to attaining the task.
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