FUNCTIONS OF A LEADER

The functions of a leader depend on the kind of the group, which is being led. It depends
on the structure and the goal of the group. Political, social, or religious leaders have different
functions to perform. The general of an army has to perform a different function from that of the
priest in the church.
1. THE LEADER AS AN EXECUTIVE:
The leader has a very important function of co-coordinating the activities of the group. So a
leader in his executive capacity does not carry out work or activities but assigns it to other group
members, as well as sees the proper execution of the policies.
For instance, the leader of a political party makes it a point to see that the policies of the
party are being executed. He also assigns the work of party propaganda to some persons,
secretarial work to some others while the election work to some other members. He organizes
discussions for the execution of the plan and acts as a guide during the discussion.
However, sometimes, the leader is not able to delegate responsibilities and authority and
feels necessity to be personally involved in each group activity. Such situation may prevent
members from sharing responsibilities affecting their involvement in the work of the group.
2. THE LEADER AS A PLANNER:
The leader functions in the capacity of the planner too. He decides what ways and means are
to be adopted to achieve the objective of the group.
He plans the work of the grouping such a manner that the goal of the group may be
achieved through proper steps being undertaken at the present and also in future. Thus, his
planning may be for short term.
Every group has many problems pertaining to it, social, political, religious and economic
aspects. The leaders also plan out the ways and means to fight with the enemies of the group.
Frequently, the leaders are the only persons who know in complete details the plan to be
adopted to achieve the group goal. The members are only told about some of the fragments of the
plan with which they are concerned. Often the plan is drawn in such a manner that the execution
in parts of it would ultimately lead to the attainment of the group objective.
For example, for the security of India, many a short term plans are drawn up. These plans when
integrated, will lead to the attainment of desired objective.
3. THE LEADER AS THE POLICY MAKER:
An important function of the leader of any social group is to plan out the group goals, objectives
and policies. The leaders may themselves plan the policies or objectives or they may get the
policies or objectives from other sources and then may try to establish then in the group.
4.

THE LEADER AS AN EXPERT:

Leaders are generally viewed as the sources of readily available information and skills or
expertise. The leader must, therefore, be quite a capable individual. In many informal groups,
often the person demonstrating, the greatest technical knowledge and skills becomes the leaders.
For example, during camping, the guide may play the role of a leader because of his
familiarity and knowledge about the area.
5.

THE LEADER AS AN EXTERNAL GROUP REPRESENTATIVE:

In case of large groups it is not possible for all members to directly deal with other groups.
Thus, the leader assumes the role of representative of the group in its external relations. All
communications outgoing and incoming are channeled through the leader.
Also, the groups unity is enhanced when the leader functions as the symbol of the group.
In the governing bodies of the various universities, leaders act as the representative of their
own group.
6.

CONTROLLER OF INTERNAL RELATIONSHIP:

The leader has also to function as the controller of internal inter-personal relations, among
the members of the group. He makes efforts to raise the moral standard of his group. He wishes
that the group may progress and there are established good relations among its members.
7.

THE LEADER AS PURVEYOR OF REWARD AND PUNISHMENT:

The group members perceive the leader as having power to apply rewards and also
punishments. This enables the leader to exercise control over group members. Rewards and
punishments may relate to being promoted to a higher position, giving special honors, or taking
away the responsibility assigned or lowering of the status as the case may be.
8.

THE LEADER AS AN ARBITRATOR AND MEDIATOR:

If there are certain conflicts and discussions in the group, the leader acts an arbitrator and
mediator. He acts as a judge and gives his judgment regarding the ways in which the conflict can
be resolved.
But his task is not merely that of a judge. His important function is to establish good intergroup relationships. The leader can reduce tensions in the group and establish harmony.
9.

THE LEADER AS AN EXAMPLAR:

The leader should serve as a model of behavior to the members of the group. He should by
his own example, stimulate them to do such activities with which the groups objective can be
realized. The commanding officer in the armed forces that leads his troops into the battlefield
serves as an exemplar. Sometimes the leader provides the ideology of the group. He serves as the
source of the beliefs, values and norms of the individual members.
10.

THE LEADER AS THE FATHER FIGURE:

The leader may also play the emotional role of the father figure for the individual members
of the group. The leader is the ideal object for identification, for transferring feelings, and
providing a focus for positive thinking. The members may have same feelings towards him as the
child has towards his father. This role may form the basis of power of a leader in certain
circumstances.