Leadership Development Analysis
Introduction
Before reading the book “Develop your leadership skills” by John Adair (2007), I was of the opinion that people who succeed in leadership were born with the skills that make up an exceptional leader. I strongly believed that the information discussed would bear close similarity to previous information regarding how to improve an individual’s leadership skills. While I tried to remain optimistic that I would find helpful information on how to be a good leader, I expected most of the information covered to only target individuals who were born leaders. It was not until I started reading the book that I realized that the author also discussed how people can learn traits gain knowledge that would make them exemplary leaders regardless of whether they were born with the leadership skills or not. The book gives insight on what it takes to be a leader and how to go about gaining the skills needed to not only lead but also teach others to be leaders. The authors base their premise on the belief that people can develop their leadership abilities and gain the skills needed to take on a leadership position at most, if not all organizations. The information covered in the book is helpful to both people who are starting to build themselves as leaders as well as individuals who are leaders and are looking to improve their skills. according to the authors, people should stop regarding leadership and management as two separate entities. their argument is based on the notion that people who succeed at being good leaders often end up taking management positions. The information covered as well as the activities provided after every chapter creates a flow of information and guidelines that can help one become an effective leader.
The activities left out for the reader to fill in the book make the content engaging and further increases the impact that the information has on the audience. A good example is a section that requires the reader to fill in some information regarding the leadership skills they possess (Adair, 2007). The section helps the reader to evaluate the skills they possess to determine which make them effective leaders. Highlighting one’s skills also gives potential leaders the insight to identify skills that they could improve on to become effective leaders. The book also offers information that helps potential leaders determine where to focus their efforts. Since most leaders aspire to attain management positions, learning how being a good leader increases the chance of attaining a management position can help potential leader focus their energy on learning skills and gaining knowledge rather than vying for management positions (Adair, 2007). Individuals can use the information discussed to become good leaders which in turn will prompt employers and organizations to offer them management positions.
Although the book operates on the notion that leadership is something that can be taught, the authors place a lot of emphasis on the fact that the key element in becoming a good leader is experience. The authors reinstate that the information they present is meant to give potential leaders the principles and ideas on how to become good leaders (Adair, 2007). However, it is not the principles or ideas that make one a good leader but rather the experiences that one will gain in the process of implementing them. The author urges readers to rely on the information covered in the book but only as a tool to guide their reflections and personal development. The book, therefore, serves as a call to action and gives the audience the tools needed to become better leaders. Practice is described as an essential part of leadership development as it helps potential leaders put their skills into practice.
The information discussed in the book further teaches the readers how to set themselves apart from others by learning skills that make them stand out as leaders. To become a good leader, the author emphasizes the importance of understanding the role leadership plays not only at a personal level but also amongst colleagues (Adair, 2007). Also, leadership development involves not only possessing the skills needed to become a good leader but also standing out as a leader to others. Since leaders often bear responsibility for others in their team, leadership development should be about learning how to stand out as a leader. Good leaders must therefore inspire others and command enough authority to lead and encourage others to follow the example set.
The book has insight in that it draws attention away from common notions of leadership and urges people to pursue other methods in leadership. A good example is a common notion that people are born leaders and adapt to their role as they progress in their careers (Adair, 2007). Although there are people born with specific traits that make them exemplary leaders in most circumstances, leadership is not restricted to genetics as it is something that can be learned. Leadership skills can be learned and developed over time. People however have different potentials for leadership. Some individuals are likely to attain skills faster and become better at leading (Adair, 2007). There are however others who will take more time to master the skills and acquire information and knowledge needed to make them exemplary leaders.
Drawing attention away from common perceptions about leadership helps motivate people to become better leaders. Individuals who have a hard time learning how to become good leaders but have the passion can take comfort in knowing that the skills needed to become effective leaders can be learned over time. the guidelines provided can therefore be utilized by all individuals who aspire to lead, regardless of whether they were born with the skills needed to become an effective leader or not (Adair, 2007). The author successfully draws attention away from the individual and places emphasis on the steps that any individual can take and learn how to become a good leader. The approach helps potential leaders overcome any limitations that may get in the way of achieving leadership success.
Adair’s work also functions as a call to action, urging people to not only aspire to be leaders but also learn how to lead with integrity. The mention of individuals like Hitler urges the reader to question whether leadership skills are based on integrity or the acts themselves (Adair, 2007). According to the author, people can be good leaders regardless of whether their leadership results in the common good or not. He further argues that, although Hitler may have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills, his leadership did not benefit the people under his rule. Leaders who do not aspire to achieve goodness are therefore destined to fail. The information helps potential leaders learn the importance of integrity in leadership.
Another deviation from the social norm in leadership is the author's argument against generic leadership qualities. According to Adair, being a good leader is not about possessing all the skills and knowledge needed to handle all situations but rather being flexible enough to adapt and lead in any situation (Adair, 2007). The belief that generic leadership qualities are required in leadership has created an environment where leaders try to learn specific skills to lead in a specific environment. This however limits their leadership development as it controls their skills and knowledge to the specific environment the individual focuses on. Winston Churchill for instance is quoted as a great leader during the war (Adair, 2007). He however failed to display the same leadership skills during times of peace, an indication that his leadership skills were focused on only how to be an effective leader during the war. Leaders should therefore aspire to be more flexible and learn how to adapt to changes in their fields.
Conclusion
The information covered in the book prepares potential leaders for what it is like to be a leader. It covers the basic requirements and progresses on to the finer details that require more explanation. The reader can understand what steps to take to fit into the practical world of leadership. It also teaches potential leaders how to go about preparing for leadership positions. Leaders are taught how to use the information they possess about leadership to fit into their roles. Although basic professional and technical skills are adequate in the first phases of a leadership career, individuals must constantly learn new skills and gain new knowledge to become good leaders. The learning process should however focus on the individual and not a leadership position that one aspires to attain. Instead of learning how to be a proficient leader in a specific field, the goal should be to possess the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to any leadership role. Flexibility should also be used not only when leading, but also when reacting to retraction or failure. As a leader, learning should occur not only through success but also when acknowledging where mistakes occurred to learn how to avoid them in the future. The information covered in the book is educational, informative, and structured in such a way as to assist potential leaders to become more qualified in their field; and also guide established leaders on how to become better at their roles.
References
Adair, J. (2007). Develop your leadership skills. The Sunday Times
