Introduction
Leadership is social influence where one offers to guide followers in order to achieve organizational objectives. Leadership influences the activities of individuals and groups as they strive to achieve their goals and objectives. Some people are born leaders while others learn from family, societal values, norms or cultures. It is vital for a leader to be trustworthy to enable him to gain the confidence of people in his tenure. It ensures the exercise of honesty, diligence and responsibility to the people that eventually grows and culminates into a legacy.
Leadership traits concepts
Different leaders exercise varying levels of intelligence. As one leader may consider diligence or exercise it so much, another leader may have the same regard to intelligence or honesty. Forms of leadership traits exhibited by individuals vary according to the situation and reputation. A new employee hired in the organization will be treated differently from an old employee in terms of strictness, warnings and chances. Again, different leaders portray different qualities while giving instructions to new employees. Others may be welcoming considerate and compassionate, while others would carry the new employee like any other. One must know employees’ conduct and attributes (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2012).
The ability to communicate is an essential leadership trait. For instance, a leader must set an example by being the first one to act upon any communications or instructions. As such, other people can follow suite without complains or second thoughts. The messages communicated, and the manner it is passed down to the least employee will either build or harm the relationship between the leader and the organization. It takes a leader with excellent critical thinking skills to ensure decisions are effective in solving issues of judgment, timeliness, harsh or weak employees. It is noteworthy that an effective and successful leader must have knowledge of self and seek self-improvement.
An individual needs to keep the workers informed to enable them carry out work effectively while knowing the requirements of the organizations are satisfied. A leader needs to be visionary, efficient and take the organization to greater heights in the achievement of goals and objectives. In order to be an efficient leader, it is noteworthy to consider workers’ interests and try to meet them. This might be by listening and meeting their pleas. In return, improve their loyalty and commitment work. One must be willing to do whatever he expects of other workers, and constantly soil his hands to set the perfect example.
Ensure tasks are undertaken on time. This is a noble duty and responsibility of any leader. This trait facilitates a leader to support equality in the division of labor and allotment of duties to employees with the best ability. Sound decision is an influential leadership trait that determines the direction of an organization in terms of the relevance of choices, communication, consultation and teamwork. An efficient leader must also be a team player. This exhibits the ability to lead rather than to rule. One must ensure constant help and discussion with colleagues in running the organization instead of issuing of inconsiderate commands.
It is also necessary for a leader to put the interest of the workers in mind by offering incentives, avoiding unnecessary reprimands, rather encouraging room for dialogue and discussion. Responsibility is a significant virtue. The leader must ensure things that go wrong are fixed and be ready to take responsibility of any failures. The leader should be ready to amend issues rather than try to find someone to blame for the fault. Monotony creates boredom. It is indispensable for the leader to have breaks in between sessions. However, when the leader breaks within sessions, many workers may fail to rebuild their energy and focus. A leader should try to balance social life, work and business time.
Theories of leadership
The big man theory suggests that leaders are born. Such talented leaders arise when there is a strong need to save a disturbing situation. The theory is based on ancient research of people who were already leaders such as Churchill, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed.
This is the oldest approach to the study of leadership. Researchers sought to understand leadership by the characteristic of certain leaders with regard to effectiveness at the beginning of the 1950s. This search for features or traits of a leader was prompted by a belief that leaders somewhat possess distinguishing traits that differentiate from other ordinary people (Bush 2009).
This approach analysis in leadership recognizes the finite number of characteristics that distinguish an effective leader from an ineffective leader. Such traits are like intelligence, physical, social, emotional and personality traits. Traits theory focuses on personality traits that differentiate leaders from other people.
Conclusion
Different leaders exercise varying levels of intelligence. As one leader may consider diligence or exercise it so much, another leader may have the same regard to intelligence or honesty. In order for a leader to be successful in his ruling, it is vital to be trustworthy, to be able to gain the confidence of many people in his ruling. It also helps in ensuring that his term as leader grows and culminates into a legacy.
It would also be crucial for a leader to be a team player marking the distinction between a leader and a ruler, he should learn not to give orders but also to show the followers how to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently, thus, it is crucial for the leaders to soil their hands at some times. Intelligence is also a hugely influential trait that a leader should possess the virtue will enable him to be able to live with the followers. With such intelligence, one will be able to know when to confront the followers and when to give orders and intervene in different scenarios.
Self-confidence is extremely valuable in the rational decisions of anyone in a high-ranking position. It is crucial to have self-confidence as a leader before your followers in order to give them instructions and assign duties and responsibilities. Otherwise, they shall take it as a weak behavior and not as an effective leader. Leadership is a social influence process where the leader seeks voluntary participation of the followers in order to achieve organizational objectives.
A successful leader must be ready and willing to accept responsibility in case there arise cases of corruption and impunity. One must accept and face the challenges and offer solutions to curb the crisis and intervene to provide an amicable solution. On the other hand, one must not only be interested by power or position or money but the services he offers to the people as quoted by Charles the secondant the baron of Montesquieu power corrupts but absolute power corrupts totally (International Committee of the Red Cross 2011).
References
Bush T (2009). Theories of educational leadership and management. The University of Virginia: Sage Publications.
Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R.C., & Curphy, G. J. (2012). Leadership in Enhancing the lessons of experience (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
International Committee of the Red Cross. (2011). International Committee of the Red Cross Health. Web.