EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

SERIES
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Leadership Traits
LECTURE 5
by

Subhas Chandran
Faculty of Defence & Management Studies
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A good leader inspires others with confidence

in him;
A great leader inspires them with confidence
in themselves.

- Unknown

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LEADERSHIP SUCCESS
Successful leaders share three abilities.
The first is the ability to get along with others and
build teams.
Another is the ability to make sound and timely
decisions.
And the third is the ability to get things done.
Unfortunately, only a relatively small percentage of
leaders possess all three of these attributes.
~ Gordy Curphy,
Curphy Consulting Corporation
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HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Leadership or the art of influencing and directing other people
to achieve mission goals, involves understanding,
predicting and controlling behavior of followers.
Leaders must understand that each follower is different and
his actions and orders will result in different responses.
Leaders maintain close contact with only a small group of
followers regardless of the numbers under his charge.
Followers reaction is based on:
1. Physical & mental characteristics
2. Emotional characteristics
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INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITY
Individual personality drivers:
oHeredity these are characteristics inherited from the
parents but attaining the highest levels
depends on the environment and life
experience.
o Environment - influences of the family, community,
religious context, life style etc. that shape
the followers personality.
o Experiences - Each will experience unique experiences
that effect physical, mental and
intellectual reactions.
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INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR
Basic Human Needs influenced by societal values and
individual needs. The acquisition process is to satisfy
Physical needs and Learned needs:
1. Physical Needs sometimes called basic needs include
food, clothing, body functions and shelter.
2. Learned Needs the result of interactions with other
men where one learns societys values and behavioral
norms. Three categories:

Security: Able to predict consequences of ones behavior that

may result in emotional, physical and material harm in others

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INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR

Social Acceptance: the need and desire for societal

acceptance influence mans behavior. Unwilling to act
contrary to societal ideals and expectations.

Recognition: men have the constant desire to know that

their actions are acceptable and like to receive tangible
proof of appreciation.

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FORCES THAT INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR

EFFECTIVE
FUNCTIONING

STRESSES
SUPPORTS

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FORCES THAT INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR

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THE CHARACTER OF LEADERS

Individual character traits help one determine what is
right and what is wrong all the time, every-time.
Character comprises two parts : Values and Attributes
Values - is ones fundamental principle or standard that
drives judgement, decision making and action.
Values are central to the character of everyone, both
leader and follower.
Values are influenced by fears, hatred, love and
friendship or mental models comprising religious,
economic, or political influences.
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WHY VALUES ARE CRITICAL

oOur Constitution requires that the Armed Forces (instrument of
state) use their weapons of war to support not subvert
democratic institutions.
o Similarly civilian organizational values aim to support democratic
institutions.
oValues are not just words but principles that guide our behaviour.
oValues reflect the core of our identity and how we achieve our
goals
oValues unite people (public & private) achieve purpose and vision.

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LEADERSHIP VALUES
COMMON ARMED FORCES VALUES
1. LOYALTY - True faith and allegiance to the Constitution,
Laws, Armed Forces, your unit and fellow soldiers.
2.DUTY To fulfill your obligations ethically as required by the
laws, regulation and orders including figuring out
what needs to be done before being told to do so.
3.RESPECT Treat people as they should be treated leaders
responsibility to create a climate of dignity and
respect regardless of race, gender, creed or
religious beliefs.
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LEADERSHIP VALUES
4.SELFLESS SERVICE - Putting nations interests and welfare
above personal interests. Selfless service
to ensure team success.
5.HONOR Uphold and live up to the Service and Regimental
values a Moral Compass for character and
personal conduct
6.INTEGRITY - doing what is right legally and morally in spite
of the pressures to do otherwise.
7.PERSONAL COURAGE Face fear, danger or adversity
regardless of consequences.
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LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

Values are an important part of a leaders character, but

successful leaders have special attributes.

Attributes are key personal characteristics some you are

born with and some you need to learn.

Military and other leaders should strong attributes in the

following dimensions : physical, mental and emotional.

1. Physical Attributes

Health and physical fitness are equally relevant in both

military and civilian worlds. Top leaders have stamina and
great reserves of vitality

(James Gardner)

Health is a positive state of well being and Physical

fitness is the ability to function effectively.

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LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
1.Physical Attributes

(cont.)

Leaders who promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual

health of their employees is investing in success.
Conforming to dress code emphasizes professional bearing,
fitness, courtesy to customers and colleagues and discipline.
2.Mental Attributes
Will is the inner drive that compels soldiers to keep going
against odds fear, hunger, exhaustion etc. For civilians, it is the
courage that enables leaders to pursue goals and accomplish
critical tasks against odds.
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LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
2. Mental Attributes

(cont.)

Self Discipline - Leaders manage their own emotion in spite

of the extreme stress of the situation. Military - ability of
leaders to do the right things despite consequences for him and
troops. Civilians - ability to keep cool in tense situations and
remain in control and focused.
Initiative - Drives leaders to act when the situation changes
and there is no back up plan. Leaders willingly take on
responsibility and the decision making burden. Effective leaders
will allow subordinates room to develop while tolerating their
mistakes.
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LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
Judgment - Is the ability to size up the situation

quickly and decide on the course of action. Good

judgment is making the best decision without allowing
emotions or prejudices influencing them.
Self Confidence - It is the faith that you will act
correctly under stress of any given situation. It comes
from competence and the mastering of skills. It is earned
and does not come with rank or promotion.
Intelligence - It is not just brain power but the
understanding that one does have all the answers
and is willing to learn.

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LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
Cultural Awareness - Culture is the shared beliefs, values
and assumptions of a group or organization. Leaders have to
be sensitive to the diverse backgrounds, the cultural context
and the customs of the partners in operations (joint forces).
Only then can they build a cohesive team.
3. Emotional Attributes Leaders emotional attributes self
control, balance and stability, understand that military people
are human with hopes, fears, concerns and dreams. Leaders also
understand their strengths and weakness they are calm in the
face of danger.
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LEADERSHIP TRAITS
Good Leaders are made not born.
Traits of good leaders are :
1.Courage taking intelligent and calculated risks in the battle
field; standing up to what is right; be mission focused in spite of
odds; making on the spot corrections if needed.
2.Bearing - setting and maintaining a high standard of
appearance; controlling your voice.
3.Decisiveness - studying the alternatives and choosing the
best course of action knowing when not to make a decision
4.Dependability - complete tasks in a timely manner

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LEADERSHIP TRAITS
5. Endurance physical and mental stamina to perform and
complete task.
6. Enthusiasm - communicate positive attitude to your soldiers
never complaining but emphasizing success
7. Humility - emphasizing to your soldiers their success and
encouraging them to overcome obstacles
8. Humor having fun doing your job joking to relieve tension
of the situation
9. Initiative planning ahead and taking action

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LEADERSHIP TRAITS
10.Integrity telling the truth, working for the benefit of

your soldiers and using your power judiciously.

11.Justice - consistent application of reward and

punishment; ability to listen to all sides

12.Knowledge making sound tactical decisions, ability to
show soldiers how they should perform their tasks
13.Loyalty willingness to care out tough orders without
complaining defending your soldiers against unfair
treatment.
14.Tact speaking to others (chain of command) respectfully
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DEVELOPING LEADERS
oThe military approach is a whole person approach to
leadership development.
oLeadership is not a role or position in the organization.
oA leader is a person with mental, emotional and physical
dimensions.
oThe military sees it as the leaders responsibility to develop himself
before he can hope to lead his men.
oLeaders of character set the example to all around them are
models of behaviour they expect in others.

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DEVELOPING LEADERS
o Leaders need to Walk the Talk if they want commitment and
high standards of action from followers.
o Leaders are assessed more for their character and values rather
than his leadership skill sets !
o Organizational values should be linked to leadership as it shows
those outside and inside what they stand for.
o Positional leaders (CEO or President) who lack character and
values will not be an effective leader !

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EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Effective Leadership - Requirements :

Be yourself

Figure out what you are good at

Hire only good people who care

Treat people the way you want to be treated

Focus on one or two critical objectives

Ask your coworkers how to get there

Listen well

Call the play

Warren Bennis,
Author and Educator

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