Leadership Theories

The function of leadership is involves various aspects which relate to initiating an action, providing guidance to followers and coordination of various activities and motivating followers through morale building.  The execution of these functions is enabled by the traits and behavior of an individual and depends on the specific situation variables that call for leadership. Thus leadership is an essential function which creates an environment for maximizing efficiency and achieving goals in an organization (Moore, 2007). In an organization, leadership can be understood from trait approach, behavioral approach or a given situation.

These leadership theories assist in refining my leadership styles after examining my personality, experience and education background and the specific situations that I may be faced with. My leadership philosophy rests on a participative or democratic style of leadership given that my personality allows for people to place their input in a given tasks while I retain the power to make the final decision on the outcome.  My philosophy involve working in teams or groups where everybody is involved in the process of decision making , with my major role being encouraging creativity. The relational and situational theories align with my understanding that leadership should involve establishing relationships with followers and giving them the power to make decision on the basis of a given situation or when faced with a specific contingency.  In this regard, leadership is not about a specific person or group of people a platform on which people can develop good working conditions through building relationships among themselves (France, 2008). In essence, the distribution of leadership through human system is observed when people engage in collective decision making. As such there is active member involvement, reasonable praise for performance and restrained criticism.

Reference

France, S. H. (2008). Leadership Theories: Toward a Relational Model. Retrospective Exam, EXD-66909 for the Ad Hoc doctoral programme of administrative sciences, Université Laval, Québec.

 

Moore, E. M. (2007). The impact of leadership style on organizational effectiveness: Leadership in action within United Way of America. Capella University.