Leadership and Decision Making ITC/ILO Social Dialogue Training of Trainers 21 March – 25 March 2011 Prepared by Victoria Munsey

What does Leadership mean? “Leadership is the crucial dynamic force that motivates and coordinates an organization to accomplish its objectives.” “Leadership is the ability to inspire confidence and support among the people who are needed to attain organizational goals.”

GROUP WORK Using cards, list what you think are the characteristics of a good leader. Choose someone to present your findings in plenary.

Charisma From the Greek word charisma, meaning favour, gift. “A personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader); “A special magnetic charm or appeal.” Source: Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

Key Leadership Skills Inspiring Persuading Influencing Motivating

Leadership Styles More Democratic More Directive ???

One’s ‘natural’ leadership style Formed by One’s culture: * National culture * Organizational culture One’s work experience One’s character

One’s ‘natural’ leadership style Could be called one’s “default setting”; Is often the most effective; But is not the ideal style for all situations. To be effective, we must also master other leadership styles.

Developing leadership potential Build awareness of our own strengths and weaknesses; Be guided by ethical concerns; Learn to trust our intuition and imagination; Develop clear goals in life and work.

Our own strengths and weaknesses Make an inventory – be objective; Learn about interpersonal styles and their consequent impact on others; Try to discover our own prejudices and blind spots.

Be Guided by Ethical Concerns Modern life is full of constant change: an ethical base gives us a firm point to stand on. Superiors, peers and subordinates find it easier to trust a person who acts in an ethically coherent manner.

Prejudices and “blind spots” Learn to question our own preconceptions; Attend interactive training seminars; Pay careful attention when someone you admire reacts entirely differently to you to a given situation – and ask him why!

Leaders Develop Clear Goals Much of professional life for those in leadership roles involves dealing with a series of crisis situations. Leaders find time to define clear goals for themselves and their working team. Leaders often assist their subordinates in defining precise and measurable goals for the group

Effective Leaders Trust their instincts; Do not see control of others as the key issue; See the bigger picture; Are willing to trust the wisdom of the group.

Decision Making One of the most important tasks of a leader is making decisions. How do you rate your current skill and success as a decision maker? What decision making techniques do you use?

Steps for making informed decisions Define the problem/question Collect all relevant data Speak to the people involved If necessary, re-define the problem Clarify your desired outcome

Problem solving and decision making Much material is available on problem solving. Techniques include: Brainstorming Swot analysis Pro’s and Con’s method Weighted pro’s and con’s method

What factors sometimes make it hard to take a decision? Not enough information Fear of failure Personal relationships may be put at risk Other?