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LEADERSHIP

Leadership is a part of management which emphasizes interpersonal relationship and the
encouragement of talent human capabilities
Leadership is defined as an interpersonal influence directed towards the achievement of goals
A leader is someone who exercise influence over other people.

IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP

Leadership is important in the following ways
1. Reduce employee dissatisfaction
2. Encourages effective delegation
3. Creates team spirit
4. Helps to develop skills and confidence in the group
5. Helps to enlist support and co operation from people

TYPES OF LEADERS

The important types of leaders are as follows:

1 CHARISMATIC LEADER
Gains influence through the strength of personality

2 TRADITIONAL LEADER
One whose position is assured by both e.g. king
Category of leaders to which few people can aspire.

3 SITUATIONAL LEADER
A leader whose influence can only be effective by being in the right place at the right time
The kind of leadership is too temporary in nature to be of much value in business

4 APPOINTED LEADER
Leader whose influence arises directly out of his position e.g. most managers and
supervisors

5 FUNCTIONAL LEADER
An individual who secures leadership position by what he or she does rather than by what
they are
Functional leaders adapt their behaviour to meet competing needs of the situation

6 PRINCIPAL CENTRED LEADER
One whose approach to leadership is influence by moral and ethical principles, involving
consideration equity justice, integrity, honesty, fairness and trust.

FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE LEADERSHIP

1. The leader himself
a. Skills
b. Principles
c. Knowledge
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d. Personality

2. Goals / Tasks
a. Group goals
b. Individual goals/ targets
c. Relative complexity

3. Subordinates (Group Members)
a. Skills
b. Needs

4. The situation / environment
a. Resource availability
b. Cultural issues
c. Internal dynamics of group

SKILLS OF A LEADER

1. Communication skills
2. Must be able to make decision
3. Must be confident
4. Lead from the front.
5. Ability to think strategically
6. Entrepreneurial abilities
7. Ability to understand
8. Ability to create a sense of direction

STYLES OF LEADERSHIP

1 DICTATORSHIP/AUTHORITATIVE
Leaders are goal oriented
Controls communication systems
Makes decisions alone
It can be exploitative or benevolent autocratic

2 DEMOCRATIC / PARTICIPATIVE
A leader allows group participation in decision making
There is close relationship between rewards rather than mere parts on the head

3 LAISSEZ FAIRE
The leader shares what is supposed to be done and leaves the members to do it in the way
they think it fit
A leader participates little in a group activities