All 6 entries tagged Le

Being ourselves or being leaders?

Having completed the last activity within the leadership module, I was wondering if we actually have shown our true leadership style. In other words, I mean that since we have a friendly relationship with most of our collegues, I'm not really sure if when we led that style was how we lead in fact. This also applies to me, as well.

I think when we are going to be managers and we will need to lead a team, maybe our style is not going to be that open-minded and democratic. Because it would be about our real job and real tasks. Now we knew that we are in a safe environment and maybe we didn't want to hurt other people feelings or aquire a certain reputation, like autocratic or bossy and hazard our social perception. As friends we have usually another attitude, but as leaders we have other traits, and people perceive us differently.

Thus, although I believe that we learned a lot of things about ourselves, our skills and abilities and definately we changed our perceptions about what leadership means, I think that we haven't explore ourselves as much as we could or would like.

Ilektra-maria Kaldi : 10 Feb 2012 15:34 |  Tags: Le |  Comments (5) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Loosing sight…

As humans we can lose sight of the point quite often. Either because we haven't thought about something or we don't have the knowledge or skills. And this fact is absolutely understandable. That's why we study and read, have our eyes open to understand and improve ourselves.

Like us though, companies can lose sight of their strategy and vision as well. Either because the vision is focusing on the short-term (a year or less) or because of lack of communication and understanding. In other words, companies instead of having a long-term vision about where they want to go or how the company should be perceived, they function and make decisions in the short-term. Employees also, are not aware of that vision and the way to achive it and how their job relates and enhance the overall vision.

Therefore, it is important that the vision and the strategy of the company is communicated throughout the whole company, so that it's been embedded and people can relate to it. Thus, when we will be part of an organisation, let's make sure that we understand the vision and mission and try to relate our work with it. That's the only way that both we and the company will benefit. For us because we do something that adds value to the company and gives reason and meaning to our job. For the company because it has employees that care about the organisation's well-being and contribute with their performance to achieve its goals. It's a win-win situation either way...

Ilektra-maria Kaldi : 09 Feb 2012 19:47 |  Tags: Le |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Respect the leader!

After some really interesting activities of the leadership module today and the discussion followed, Paul mentioned that leaders are not to be liked, but to be respected. And actually this is true!

It doesn't matter if you like or not the person who leads. But, in order the leader to be effective he/she needs to be respected by the followers. And respect is difficulty earned and easily lost! That is why some leadership styles might be more appropriate than others. Nevertheless, the actions that leaders do to gain their followers play vital role too. Followers need to be respected as well, and think that their opinion has the same value of that of the leader.

Leaders need to always bare in mind that when people respect and not fear them, it's likely to do their best, give that extra voluntary effort and ultimetly 'serve' leaders' purpose...

Ilektra-maria Kaldi : 06 Feb 2012 20:20 |  Tags: Le |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Why leadership means something different to each one

Today, after the presentations of the definitions of leadership I really understood the meaning of the following quote:

"There are almost as many different definitions of leadership as there are persons who have attempted to define the concept" (Bass, 1981).

Since this course is comprised of people from all walks of life who have different background, understanding, thinking and so on, it is completely logical that leadership is perceived differently. As there is no right or wrong answer, everyone can interpret it as he or she wants.

However, my personal point of view is that only after we have a lot of experience we can really understand what leadership means to us. For now we need to stay open minded and learn the most we can. But when we are going to be in a leading position, then I'm sure that we will really understand the true meaning of leadership and thus we will create our leadership brand (i.e. how people perceive us as leaders and what we want to be known for).

Ilektra-maria Kaldi : 01 Feb 2012 18:37 |  Tags: Le |  Comments (5) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Management or Leadership?

Since the difference between leadership and management came up today in the discussion, i thought it was a good idea to share some of the definitions it happend to have read lately.

"By leadership, I mean influencing others' actions in achieving desirable ends. Leaders are people who shape the goals, motivations and actions of others. Frequently they initiate change to reach existing and new goals. ... While managing well often exhibits leadership skills, the overall function is toward maintenance rather than change" (Cuban, 1988).

"Whereas leaders have long term and future-oriented perspectives and provide a vision for their followers that looks beyond their immediate surroundings, managers have short term perspectives and focus on routine issues within their own immediate departments or groups" (Nahavandi 2000: 13).

I hope you find these definitions usefull and keep challenging the differences between leaders and managers.

_{Photo source:http://acesradiolive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/leadership_quiz.jpg}

Ilektra-maria Kaldi : 31 Jan 2012 23:22 |  Tags: Le |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

To follow or to be followed?

Given the exercise of the lifeboat leader and the disscusion after that, I think that most of us made our decisions on who was the most suitable for this particular situation, emphasising on the skills and leadership qualities of the people in question.

However, to my mind, in such cases you need to think as a follower and ask what do you expect from your leader in a crisis situation to do. The sense of self-preservation is inherent to most people in these conditions and everyone becomes the leader of oneself. But in order to bestow your life and survival to another person, you have to trust in his/her abilities.

It is the exact same thing with organisations. Usually, it is the members of the board (followers in this case) who choose the CEO of the company (leader). And thus, they have to be convinced that that particular person is capable to drive the results they want.

That is why the work of a leader is much harder than that of followers, since he or she has to live up to other peoples expectations...

Ilektra-maria Kaldi : 30 Jan 2012 19:41 |  Tags: Le |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem