SESSION NO. 10/ WEEK NO.

10
UNIT 3 – Keys to Leading and Managing Others

Module 9
Understanding Leadership Skills

Topics for this Module

1. Nature of Leadership
2. Leadership versus Management
3. Leadership Styles
3. Leadership Skills
4. Models of Leadership

Overview

Understanding Leadership Skills is the first topic included in Unit 3 –keys

to Leading and Managing Others. Topics that are important in understanding this
module focuses on understanding the nature of leadership, differentiating
leadership from management, leadership styles, skills and models of leadership.

.
Study Guide

At the end of this module, you are expected to;

(1) characterize the nature of leadership;
(2) differentiate between leadership and management;
(3) discuss the different leadership styles; and
(4) discuss leadership skills.

Topic Presentation

The Nature of Leadership

Leadership can be defined in terms of both process and property. As a
process, leadership is the use of non-coercive influence to direct and coordinate
the activities of group members to meet a goal. As a property, leadership is the
set of characteristics attributed to those who are perceived to use such influence
successfully.

And what do we mean by influence? It is the ability to affect the

perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, motivation and behavior of others.

From the point of view of an organization, leadership is vital because it has

a powerful influence on individual and group behavior.

Leadership versus Management

The terms “leadership” and “management” are often used

interchangeably. While there is some overlap between the work that leaders
and managers do, there are also significant differences. The table below
summarizes their differences;

Personality Dimension Manager Leader

Attitudes toward goals Has an impersonal, passive, Has a personal and active attitude;
functional attitude; believes goals believes goals arise from desire
rise out of necessity and reality and imagination
Conception of work Views work as an enabling Looks for fresh approaches to old
process that combines people, problems; seeks high risk
ideas and things; seeks moderate positions, especially with high
risk through coordination and payoffs
balance
Relationship with others Avoids solitary work activity; Is comfortable in solitary work
preferring to work with others ; activity; encourages close, intense
avoids close, intense working relationships; welcomes
relationships; avoids conflict conflict resolution
Sense of self makes a straightforward life engages in a struggle for a sense
adjustment; accepts life as it is of order in life; questions life

Leadership Styles

1. Autocratic Style
The phrase most illustrative of an autocratic leadership style is "Do as I
say." Generally, an autocratic leader believes that he or she is the smartest
person at the table and knows more than others. They make all the decisions
with little input from team members.
 However, it might be appropriate in certain situations. A leader can
practice this style when crucial decisions need to be made on the spot, and the
leader have the most knowledge about the situation, or when dealing
with inexperienced and new team members and there's no time to wait for team
members to gain familiarity with their role.

2. Authoritative Style
The phrase most indicative of this style of leadership (also known
as "visionary") is "Follow me." The authoritative leadership style is the mark
of confident leaders who map the way and set expectations, while engaging and
energizing followers along the way.

In a climate of uncertainty, these leaders lift the fog for people. They help
them see where the company is going and what's going to happen when they get
there.

Unlike autocratic leaders, authoritative leaders take the time to explain

their thinking: They don't just issue orders. Most of all, they allow people choice
and latitude on how to achieve common goals.

3. Pacesetting Style
"Do as I do!" is the phrase most indicative of leaders who utilize the
pacesetting style. This style describes a very driven leader who sets the pace as
in racing. Pacesetters set the bar high and push their team members to run hard
and fast to the finish line.

While the pacesetter style of leadership is effective in getting things done

and driving for results, it's a style that can hurt team members. Even the most
driven employees may become stressed working under this style of leadership in
the long run.

4. Democratic Style
Democratic leaders are more likely to ask "What do you think?" They
share information with employees about anything that affects their work
responsibilities. They also seek employees' opinions before approving a final
decision.

There are numerous benefits to this participative leadership style. It can

engender trust and promote team spirit and cooperation from employees. It
allows for creativity and helps employees grow and develop. A democratic
leadership style gets people to do what you want to be done but in a way that
they want to do it
 5. Coaching Style
When you having a coaching leadership style, you tend to have a
"Consider this" approach. A leader who coaches views people as a reservoir of
talent to be developed. The leader who uses a coach approach seeks to unlock
people's potential.

Leaders who use a coaching style open their hearts and doors for people.
They believe that everyone has power within themselves. A coaching leader
gives people a little direction to help them tap into their ability to achieve all that
they're capable of.

6. Affiliative Style
A phrase often used to describe this type of leadership is "People come
first." Of all the leadership styles, the affiliative leadership approach is one where
the leader gets up close and personal with people. A leader practicing this style
pays attention to and supports the emotional needs of team members. The leader
strives to open up a pipeline that connects him or her to the team.

Ultimately, this style is all about encouraging harmony and forming

collaborative relationships within teams. It's particularly useful, for example, in
smoothing conflicts among team members or reassuring people during times of
stress.

7. Laissez-Faire Style
The laissez-faire leadership style is at the opposite end of the autocratic
style. Of all the leadership styles, this one involves the least amount of oversight.
You could say that the autocratic style leader stands as firm as a rock on issues,
while the laissez-faire leader lets people swim with the current.

On the surface, a laissez-faire leader may appear to trust people to know

what to do, but taken to the extreme, an uninvolved leader may end up appearing
aloof. While it's beneficial to give people opportunities to spread their wings, with
a total lack of direction, people may unwittingly drift in the wrong direction—away
from the critical goals of the organization.

This style can work if you're leading highly skilled, experienced employees
who are self-starters and motivated. To be most effective with this style, monitor
team performance and provide regular feedback.

Skills Good Leaders Need

1. Strategic thinking skills - skills that enable an individual to do
critical thinking to solve complex problems and plan for the future. These skills are
essential to accomplish business objectives, overcome obstacles, and address
challenges—particularly if they're projected to take weeks, months, or even years
to achieve.
These are the skills needed in order to be able to think critically that
includes observation, analysis, interpretation, reflection, evaluation, inference,
explanation, problem solving, and decision making.

2. Planning and Delivery Skills- skill in organizing and time management. Best
vision will be nothing if the plan did not turn into reality.

Alongside strategic thinking, therefore, organizing and action planning are

both essential for delivery of the vision and strategy. Project management and
project planning are also helpful skills for both managers and leaders. Good risk
management is also important to avoid things going wrong, and manage when they
do.

3. People Management Skills since there will be no followers if there are no

leaders. Leaders therefore need skills in working with others on a one-to-one and
group basis, and a range of tools in their armory to deal with a wide range of
situations. In particular, leaders are expected to motivate and encourage their
followers.

One of the first skills that new leaders need to master is how to delegate.
Delegation can give team members responsibility and a taste of leadership
themselves, and help them to remain motivated.

Leaders and managers both need to understand how to build and manage
a team. They need to know how to recruit effectively, and bring people ‘on board’
through induction processes. They also need to understand the importance of
performance management, both on a regular basis, and to manage poor
performance.

4. Change Management and Innovation Skills since leadership is often

particularly important at times of change.

A leader needs to understand change management in order to lead an

organization through the process. For example, change management requires the
creation and communication of a compelling vision. It also requires the change to
be driven forward firmly, and leadership to make it ‘stick’ if the organization is not to
revert within a very short period.
5. Communication Skills include general interpersonal skills, not specific to
leadership, but successful leaders tend to show high levels of skill when
communicating.

Good leaders tend to be extremely good listeners, able to listen

actively and elicit information by good questioning. They are also likely to show high
levels of assertiveness, which enables them to make their point without aggression,
but firmly. They know how to build rapport quickly and effectively, to develop good,
strong relationships with others, whether peers or subordinates. These skills come
together to help to build charisma, that quality of ‘brightness’ which makes people
want to follow a leader.

Leaders also need to know how to give others their views on personal
performance in a way that will be constructive rather than destructive, and also hear
others’ opinions of them.

They are usually very good at effective speaking, equally skilled at getting
their point across in a formal presentation or Board meeting, or in an informal
meeting or casual corridor conversation. They have also honed their ability
to communicate in difficult situations, usually by practice over time.

6. Persuasion and Influencing Skills are particular areas of communicating that is

especially important for leaders.

Leaders also need tools to help them understand the way that others
behave, and create positive interactions. As a first step, it may be helpful to
understand more about emotional intelligence—another vital quality for leaders to
possess.

Words to Ponder /Reflection

Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their

ability to empower others. ( John C. Maxwell)

 Assignment

Group Research Work: A group shall comprise 3 members. Research on

recent inspirational leadership theories and include the references used during the
research following the APA style.

Present the data following the table shown below;

Inspirational leadership theories Features Advantage/s

Transformational leadership

Charismatic leadership

Authentic leadership

References

Aamodt, Michael & Raynes Bobby .(2000). Human Relations in Business.

Wordsworth Publishing Company

Martinuzzi, Bruna.(2019). The 7 Most Common Leadership Styles. Retrieved at

https://www.americanexpress.com.
Nelson, Debra & Quick, James Campbell. (2013). Organizational Behavior.
Cengage Learning.

Serrano, Angelita & Marivic Flore.( 2016). Management of Human Behavior in

an Organiztion. Unlimited Books Library Services and Publishing Ins.
Manila.

SkillsYou Need. Leadership Skills. Retrieved at

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/leadership-skills