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What makes an exceptional Transformational Leader? How does this leadership theory characterize a good leader?

Answer 1

Leadership

Leadership is an integral part of management and plays a vital role in managerial operations. It provides direction, guidance, and confidence to the employees and helps in the attainment of goals in much easier way. In business and industrial organizations, managers play the role of leader and acquire leadership of subordinates, their efforts towards the achievement of organizational goals and activate the individuals of an organization to make them work. Leadership influences behavior of the individuals. It has an ability to attract others and potential to make them follow the instructions. Individuals can be induced to contribute their optimum towards the attainment of organizational goals through effective leadership. Leadership acquires dominance and the followers accept the directives and control of a leader. Leadership provides direction and vision for future to an organization.

Definition

Leadership is the art of influencing and inspiring subordinates to perform their duties willingly, competently and enthusiastically for achievement of group’s objectives.

Thus, leaders are people who are able to influence the behavior of others without recourse to threats or other forms of force towards the individuals. Leaders are the people who are accepted by the other individuals, as a superior person to them.

Transformational Leadership

Another new concept of leadership goes by a number of labels: charismatic leadership, inspirational leadership, symbolic leadership and transformational leadership. This is a leadership that transmits a sense of mission, increases teaming experiences and inspires new ways of thinking. Charisma is a form of interpersonal attraction. Charismatic people attract followers and this type of leader has great power over his or her followers. Charismatic leaders are self-confident and can influence others. The followers of a charismatic leader identify with the leader's beliefs, accept, trust and obey the leader without questioning him and thereby contribute toward the success of the organizational goals.

Theories of leadership

Leadership is the process of influencing others towards the accomplishment of goals. Recent efforts by behaviorists have shown a trend towards integrating the numerous theories of leadership. A number of theories and approaches to study leadership have been developed.

There are broadly three theories of leadership.

1. Trait Theory
2. Behavior Theory
3. Contingency Theory

Features of leadership

The features of leadership are as follows:

• Leadership is the process of influencing behavior of individuals of an organization.
• Leadership uses non-coercive methods to direct and coordinate the activities of the individuals of an organization.
• Leadership directs the individuals to attain the tasks assigned to them by following the instructions of their leaders.
• A leader possesses qualities to influence others.
• Leadership gives the individuals, a vision for future.
• Leadership is a group activity. Leader influences his followers and followers also exercise influence over his leader.

Importance of Leadership

The following points can analyze the need and importance of leadership:

• A leader should act as a friend of the people whom he is leading.
• A leader should have the confidence of the individuals of the organization.
• A leader must be able to unite the people as a team and build up team spirit.
• A leader should be able to maintain discipline among his group and develop a sense of responsibility.
• A leader must be able to build up a high morale among the individuals of the organization.
• A leader should motivate his people to achieve goals.

Qualities of successful leader

Qualities required for a successful leader are:

1. Intelligence 2. Maturity 3. Sound physic 4. Self confidence 5. Objectivity 6. Empathy 7. Foresightedness and Vision 8. Decisiveness 9. Human relation Approach. 10. Responsibility.