Sunday 12 May 2013

Leadership In Organization: A Quality To Be Acquired Through Proper Guidance


In simple words, a leader is someone who leads others.  He is a person who influences a group of people; maybe employees or workers, towards the achievement of a target, an object or a goal.  Who is a leader or what is leadership so far as management is concerned in today’s business environment?  After all, what are his role and functions in an organization?  Wikipedia describes leadership as a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in accomplishment of a common task.  Today, leadership is one of the important functions of the management.  A manager issues orders and instructions to his subordinates to get the work done.  It is the responsibility of the leader or the manager to lead, influence or persuade others to move together as a team maintaining harmony and cooperation.  Most importantly, a leader knows how to guide his team with influence and direct his subordinates with authority.  However, thanks to his leadership quality, he receives allegiance, loyalty and cooperation from the entire group. 

A leader may be the first among equals, but, he is able to influence the group and its activities towards realization of set goals.  A leader has all the necessary qualities; honesty, intelligence and a handful of other unique traits.  Especially, he should be likeable in the organization as his actions are much in consistence with his values.  Through his guidance and directions, others in the group get purpose and directions for their effort and work.  A good leader believes in progress through cooperation, coordination and collaboration.  A leader should consider himself as a part of the team or group he leads

A good leader knows his team members and his team members look to him for his wise guidance and counseling.  In that sense, guidance or counseling can be an assistance given to fellow members to help them adjust to a particular environment.  As per the scriptures; where there is no guidance, people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.  It is more relevant today than ever before when we see business and risk management go hand in hand.  The scripture says; and your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.  Only thing, a leader needs to live up to their expectations and unflinching trust.  As such, it involves inter-personal relation through which the members or followers receive the leader’s guidance and support in accomplishing specified goals.

As already said, a leader can be more effective if he uses leadership influence and persuasion to lead and guide his subordinates towards the achievement of group goals and objectives.  He uses his authority and power judiciously wherever it is absolutely necessary.   A good leader has many superior traits to influence the behavior and conduct of the members of his team in the interest of the organization.  Especially, he has the ability to negotiate and solve conflicts by thrashing the issues satisfactorily and without any strife.  It is important not only for the management but also for the organization; it ensures smooth functioning and creates healthy environment in the organization.

Hence, in order to maintain good harmony and understanding between the leadership and management, there should be regular meetings and proceedings.  When everyone in the group has knowledge and understanding; it becomes easy for the leader to motivate and inspire his team of management.  And we know management involves in important functions like coordinating, planning, controlling and organizing operations for the achievement of the various organizational objectives.  A leader should have the managerial qualities.  He acts as an intermediary between his subordinates and the top management.  Accordingly, everyone; the management as well as subordinates in the organization are able to receive guidance, advice and direction in every situation from their inspiring leader.