Leadership & teamwork DR Adele Mavuso

Defining Leadership B – STAR acronym for Leadership 1. Leadership is a Behavior What leaders do when they are in a leadership role Behavioral dimension = Concerned with how leaders act towards others in various situations. Leadership Behaviors = Observable

Two Kinds of Leaders’ General Behavior 1. Task Behaviors 2. Process Behaviors Task Behaviors = Used by leaders to get the job done (e.g., preparing an agenda for a meeting) Process Behaviors = Used to help people feel comfortable with other group members (e.g., Helping people in a group to feel included) Also used to help people feel at ease in situations in which they find themselves To be effective, a good leader knows how to combine the 2 behaviors (Task and Process)

Leadership is a Skill Leadership is a competency developed to accomplish a task effectively. Skills = competencies that people can learn or develop. Skilled leaders = competent They know what they need to do & They know how to do it Defining leadership as a skill makes leadership available to everyone. People can improve their leadership through instruction, practice, and feedback from others (i.e., leadership can be studied and learned).

Leadership is a Trait Emphasis on leader’s special gifts Person brings inherent qualities that influence the way she leads. Follows the often-expressed belief “Leaders are born not made:. Example: Confident, Decisive, Outgoing & Sociable Critique: Focusing on traits makes leadership an Elitist enterprise. Implies that only a few talented people with special gifts can lead.

Leadership is an Ability Person is able to be a leader (i.e., has the capacity to lead) Ability refers to a natural capability & Ability can be acquired. Examples: People who are naturally good at public speaking Vs Others who may have to rehearse to become comfortable speaking in public. Natural physical ability to excel in sports Vs Others who have to develop athletic ability through exercise & practice.

Leadership as Ability Cont’d In leadership, some people have the natural ability to lead Others develop leadership abilities through hardwork & practice.

Leadership is a Relationship Leadership = Centered in the Communication between leaders & followers. A leader affects & is affected by followers. Both leaders and followers are affected in turn by the situation that surrounds them. Leadership becomes a process of collaboration that occurs between leaders & followers. Approach emphasizes that leadership is not a linear one-way event. Leadership is an interactive event.

Leadership as a Relationship Cont’d Examples: In traditional leadership, authority is often Top-Down. In Interactive type of leadership, authority & influence are shared i.e leadership becomes available to everyone. Leadership as a relationship suggests that leaders must include followers & their interests in the process of leadership. Leaders need to be aware of the followers & the followers’ interests, ideas, positions, attitudes & motivations.