Management Notes

Topic 10 – Leadership

Leadership is what leaders do. Leaders are people who can influence others and who have managerial authority.

Ideally all managers should be leaders. But they both do not have to necessarily have the skills to be each other.

What leaders can influence…

– The choice of objectives and strategies to pursue

– The motivation of members to achieve their objectives

– The organisation and coordination of work activities

– The development of member skills and confidence

Early Leadership Theories

1. Trait theory 1920-1930s (focussed on this theory).

Attempt to identify characteristics of leaders from non-leaders was unsuccessful

Later 7 traits associated with leadership were developed

* Drive – exhibit a high level effort; ambitious

* Desire to lead – leaders have a strong desire to lead and influence others

* Honesty – build trusting relationships by being truthful

* Self-confidence – followers look to leaders for absence of self-doubt.

* Intelligence – leaders need to be intelligent to gather synthesis and interpret it

* Job-relevant knowledge – effective leaders have a high job knowledge

* Extraversion – leaders are energetic, lively people.

2. Behavioural theories explored behaviours that differentiated leaders from non-leaders.

KURT LEWIN STUDY 3 leadership styles 1. Autocratic – leaders who leaded centrally, direct work methods, unilateral decisions. 2. Democratic – involve employees in decision making, delegate authority, encourage participation. 3. Lassiez Faire- leader generally gave the group complete freedom to do whatever they want.

Ohio State Studies – 2 dimensions of leader behaviour

 Initiating structure: the role of the leader in defining his or her role and the roles of group members

 Consideration: the leader’s mutual trust and respect for group members’ ideas and feelings.

University of Michigan Studies

– Identified two dimensions of leader behaviour

 Employee oriented:...