This lesson looks at what makes a good leader and how you can develop your own leadership skills in the professional world.
Decide whether you agree () or disagree (X) with these statements about leadership.

 

 

X

1.01

All managers are good leaders.

 

 

1.02

All leaders are good managers.

 

 

1.03

Effective leaders need to focus on the future.

 

 

1.04

Good leaders have to be good public speakers.

 

 

1.05

The best leaders do not ask their staff to do anything they are not prepared to do themselves.

 

 

1.06

An effective leader always makes autonomous decisions.

 

 

1.07

Good leaders try to keep everyone happy.

 

 

1.08

True leaders do not care about other people’s opinions.

 

 
Read the article about leadership in the modern professional world then look back at your answers to Activity 1. Do you want to change any of them?
Leaders recognise the importance of keeping their staff motivated and involved. It’s important to be able to sell the company’s philosophy and objectives. However, empty statements and empty gestures will be recognised quickly by staff and might prove to be counter-productive.

There are a number of strategies that can be used to promote genuine motivation.
Be aware of the physical environment your staff is working in. Take the lead on creating space and a more productive environment. Don’t just accept the idea of ‘hotdesking’ just because it’s the latest thing – it may not be the most appropriate solution for your staff group.
Speak to your staff and listen to them – actively.
Recognise the importance of delegation. Don’t, however, just give the less interesting tasks to subordinates. Instead, you should delegate as a way of allowing staff to take on more responsibility, to develop professionally and to challenge themselves. A great motivator as long as you then listen to the opinions of the people you have delegated tasks to.
Welcome feedback, in fact actively seek it, not just because your organisation requires it as part of its performance management system, but because you want to continue to develop as a professional.
Recognise how individual staff members work best, which means getting to know the people who work for/with you. Individuality is important, don’t be afraid of it as some of the best and most creative ideas come from those with different ways of doing things from the normal company culture.
When you say you’re going to do something by a particular date/time, make sure you keep your promise. It’s difficult to get people to meet deadlines if you don’t do it yourself.
Don’t be afraid to make unpopular decisions. Often you will have information that is not shared with other staff members which makes you decide on a course of action that might seem strange to those without that information.
Look back at the text and find the words and expressions that match the definitions below.

2.01

Something of no real value; meaningless

empty gesture

2.02

Has the opposite effect to what is intended

 

2.03

To give authority, responsibilities or power to someone else.

 

2.04

The practice of colleagues sharing a workspace i.e. a communal work desk.

 

2.05

The date or time before which a task must be finished

 
Think about a leader you know, perhaps someone you have worked with e.g. a manager, director, coordinator or perhaps a team captain What makes them a good/bad leader?
Make some notes below.

 

 

 
Read the comments about team leaders below. Match them with the essential requirements for effective team leadership listed below.

Setting values                Clarifying objectives             Provide a model        Identifying members' strengths        Delegation                 Getting help              Flexibility of approach         Represent the team Develops team members                   Feedback                  Is available
(The criteria listed above are taken from the Ashridge virtual learning resource centre).
 

Comment 4.01

Setting values

 

“She defines what the company’s philosophy is, seems to believe passionately in it and encourages all staff to see how we can contribute positively towards it.”

Comment 4.02

 

 

“I like that he encourages me to use my experience and talents. He seems to understand what I have to offer.”

Comment 4.03

 

 

“Some people find it quite difficult to let others take on responsibility. Often they prefer to keep the work to themselves and then find they are overworked and over-stressed. It’s important to share the workload.”

Comment 4.04

 

 

“You need someone who can take control when the occasion demands it, but who is also capable of adapting their style to suit different situations.”

Comment 4.05

 

 

“He’s great! He always stands up for the team and knows how to present our views to other departments and to external clients.”

Comment 4.06

 

 

“I lacked confidence when I first joined the company, but she was very patient, encouraged me to look at ways of developing my skills and was supportive when I wanted to do further training. She’s been a great help.”

Comment 4.07

 

 

“I think it’s important to know how well you are doing, you know. Some bosses only let you know when you’ve messed something up, but you need to be told about the good stuff you’re doing as well.”

Comment 4.08

 

 

“I try to make sure everyone in the team feels they can come and speak to me whenever they need to. There’s nothing worse than an absentee leader.”

Comment 4.09

 

 

“He leads from the front. You know, shows you the way."

Comment 4.10

 

 

“I think the success of the project was due to how clearly she set out what it was that we wanted to achieve. You need to know exactly what you’re aiming for from the beginning.”

Use the ideas above to create a checklist for your own performance. Try rating yourself against each requirement (e.g. strong/weak/OK) and form an action plan to develop the weaker areas. Make some notes below.

 

 

 

 
Can you complete the ‘lead’ expressions using the words and phrases in the box to form word partnerships..

market            from the front            take          strong             in the field       edge            qualities

5.01

leading

edge

5.02

 

leadership

5.03

lead

 

5.04

 

leader

5.05

 

the lead

5.06

leadership

 
Now match them to the correct definition.

5.07

leading edge

Where the most modern and advanced technology and methods are used.

5.08

 

Take responsibility for organising something; initiate

 

5.09

 

Most successful company in its field

 

5.10

 

Be a role model for others to follow

 

5.11

 

The skills, abilities and personality necessary for a leader

 

5.12

 

Good, clear and effective direction

 
Study tip!
Now try to use each expression in an example sentence of your own. If possible put your examples into a context relevant to your own experience. This will make it more memorable and will help you to recognise and use the expressions more confidently in the future. Dictionaries often give example sentences as well as definitions, but try to create your own sentences.

5.13

e.g. As the largest scientific research organisation in the world we are working at the leading edge of genetic engineering.

5.14

 

5.15

 

5.16

 

5.17

 
In this lesson you have:
learned the importance of leadership in maintaining employees’ motivation
reflected on the qualities that make a good leader
devised an action plan to help develop your own leadership qualities
The next e-m@il lesson in this module looks at teamworking, how to motivate a team to work efficiently.