Question

Read the case below and answer the following question. Learning to lead Develop and describe measures a business could use to assess each of the traits, characteristics, and skills listed below in managers, so the company could select those managers with the strongest potential for leadership. In other words, describe how you would go about selecting managers for special leadership training and development. Most large businesses devote considerable resources to identifying those managers with the most leadership potential, and then providing training and development opportunities for those managers to enhance and refine their leadership skills. One company, for instance, has identified the following traits, characteristics, and skills, as important in leadership: -personal integrity -decision-making skills -interpersonal skills -communication skills -strategic thinking skills -global awareness skills -financial management skills QUESTION: Comment on the traits, characteristics, and skills in the above list. Do you agree or disagree that interpersonal skills would differentiate between those who are both managers and leaders versus those who are simply managers? Are there other items that should be added to the list? Minimum 10 slides. References included.

Answer 1

A good leadership is indispensable in every field be politics, cricket, or management of an organisation. It necessitates that a person posses a multifaceted personality so that he/ she is able to develop a healthy work environment, motivate people to realise their true potential, integrate the individual goals with the organisational goal etc.

Leadership is the process of influencing the behaviour of people by making them strive voluntarily towards achivement of organisational goal.

Leadership is a set of interpersonal behaviour designed to influence employees to co-operate in the achievement of objectives. It is necessary that all managers should be leaders.

Traits, characteristics and skills of leadership:

1. Personal integrity- it means leader must be honest, trustworthy and reliable . They practice what they preach. They accept their mistake, don't put blame on others Or making excuses. You can't expect your followers to be honest if your are honest to your self. It is one of the Supreme quality of leadership. With integrity, one enjoy more peace.

2. Decision making-.a leader must be able to take proper decision. Leadership requires good decision making skills. He must proper assumption and analyse all the critical factors that may influence the decision. He must evaluate all the ways by which objective can be achieved. He should analyse and compare all the methods on the basis of time and cost and must taking suitable decision then.

3. Communication skills -

One of the greatest quality fo managers as a leader is that they must be able to Communicate effectively. Communication is defined as process of exchanging facts, ideas, opinion or emotions between two or more people to create common understanding.

Communication skills include -

Listening - it means hearing the facts accurately without prejudgement or without being affected by the thoughts of others .

Complementing- leader must complement his followers for valuable suggestions or work

Delegating task clearly- he must assign the work clearly. He must explain the role and responsibilities of his followers properly.

4. Strategic thinking skills -

He must be able to compromise and bring team members and stakeholders togather. Such skills enable shik to understand how to use resources of the company in most efficient manner and advance the company towards its objective

5. Global awareness skills.-

A leader must be aware about the global market and trends taking place in the world. He must suggest changes according to the market trends. " The quote survival of the fittest explains it. In the highly competitive market it is essential that one must regularly scan and examine the global market and must identify opportunities and threats taking place.

6. Financial management skills-

A leader must possess financial management skills too. Financial management refers effective and efficient management of funds used in business. It is concerned with optimal procurement and usage of finance. Leader must ensure that firms finances must be utilised in the most productive Avenue. They must not left ideal.

7. Interpersonal skills- it refers ability to communicate and build relationships with others. Also known as people skills. It includes active listening, teamwork, empathy, patience,motivation etc.

Yes I agree that interpersonal skills would differentiate between those who are both manager and leader vs those who are only managers.

All managers must be leader. For a leader it is essential that he must have interpersonal skills. Than only he can influence people to follow him.

Other qualities of a leader-

1. Accountability

2. Positivity

3. Humility

4. Confidence

5. Good physical qualities