Communication - Leadership

Learning Objectives By the end of this chapter, students should be able to do the following: Define the difference between a leader and leadership Identify the three Leadership Styles and which leadership style they possess Understand the six Planks of Leadership Understand the four Pitfalls to Leadership Understand and apply the Four Step Plan to Conflict Management Identify the four Learning Styles and which style fits them best

Terms and Vocabulary Leader: The person who directs or who is in charge of others Leadership: Focuses on the talents, qualities, and skills that the leader uses to influence people. Technocrat: Leads by having a strong sense of the bottom line and often spends more time figuring out numbers and strategy than figuring out people. Artist: Leads by imagination and intuition. The artist has a distinct vision of the “big picture.”

Vision: The ability to see more than just the obvious. Craftsman: Leads by common sense and integrity. Can be trusted, is well-balances, and an excellent listener. Blending: Combines leadership styles to get the best overall approach to leadership. Learning Styles: The ways that people learn most effectively. Conflict Management: The ability to turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one.

Notes – Leadership and Learning Styles Leader: The person who directs or who is in charge of others. Leadership: Focuses on the talents, qualities, and skills that the leader uses to influence people.

Notes – Leadership Styles The Technocrat: Leads by having a strong sense of the bottom line and often spends more time figuring out numbers and strategy than figuring out people. A “my way or the highway” approach to motivating others The only voice that the Technocrat wishes to hear is his or her own and others often follow because they are afraid to do so. Intense, detail oriented, hard headed, and refuses to compromise.

Notes – Leadership Styles The Artist: Leads by imagination and intuition. Even though he or she doesn’t know how all of the pieces fit together, the Artist has a distinct vision of the “big picture.” Invites others to share ideas and isn’t afraid to show emotion or laughter. Goes after new ideas and sees things from a different prospective. Original and creative.

Notes – Leadership Styles The Craftsman: Leads by common sense and integrity. Can be trusted, is well-balanced, and an excellent listener. Draws followers because the Craftsman is a caring, logical person who values getting the job done, but refuses to sacrifice people and their views and feelings in the process. Predictable and seems to “have it all together.” Isn’t afraid to venture into creative thinking, but is always aware of the real world and what is reasonable. Strategically avoids making others feel like winners and losers.

Notes – Leadership Styles The Answer is in the “Blending” Combines two or more Leadership Styles. Best Leadership Style: A Blend of the Artist and the Craftsman. A Leadership Style that combines creativity and genuine enthusiasm with levelheadedness, compassion, and collaboration.

What do you think is the best Leadership Styles? Examples? Best and worst leaders? What are you?

Leadership Quiz As a leader, I tend to… Write the response that reflects your first reaction. There is no right or wrong answer. As a leader, I tend to… Always (4) Often (3) Sometimes (2) Never (1) 1. Make my own decisions 4 3 2 1 2. Tell others what to do 4 3 2 1 3. Suggest a decision to others 4 3 2 1

Leadership Quiz Always (4) Often (3) Sometimes (2) Never (1) 4. Persuade others to do things my way 4 3 2 1 5. Participate just like any other person 4 3 2 1 6. Provide resources to others 4 3 2 1

Leadership Quiz Always (4) Often (3) Sometimes (2) Never (1) 7. Gather others feedback before deciding 4 3 2 1 8. Rely on my own judgment 4 3 2 1 9. Make sure the majority rules 4 3 2 1

Leadership Quiz Always (4) Often (3) Sometimes (2) Never (1) 10. Turn decision over to others 4 3 2 1 11. Ask others to brainstorm choices 4 3 2 1 12. Share my own ideas 4 3 2 1

Results Add the numbers together from the following set of questions. The highest number will show what leadership style that seems natural for you. You should strive to understand different leadership styles and think of ways you might use them for different situations. Add the numbers you circled for the following questions. Question 1, 2, 4, 8 ________ Autocratic Question 3, 7, 9, 11 _______ Participatory Question 5, 6, 10, 12 ______ Free Rein

Results Cont. Autocratic: This leadership style is more direct and controlling. People tend to be more orientated towards productivity and goals. Their strength is to get thing done and make quick decisions. Autocratic leaders take authority and go headfirst in solving problems. They like freedom to manage themselves and others. They tend to measure their success by the items of task/activities they get done.

Results Cont. Participatory: This leadership style requires input from others. People tend to be more concerned about the process of how the decisions are made and that everyone has a voice. Participatory leaders tend to make decisions in a slow, thoughtful process. Generally, these people are good listeners and cooperative.

Results Cont. Free Rein: This leadership style is more relaxed and supportive. People who are free rein tend to be your regular old Joe. Details are not much of a concern, because things will get done. They are comfortable with teamwork and group activities.

The Planks of Leadership Plank 1: A Leader Has a Sense of Vision Vision: (in application to Leadership) The ability to see more than just the obvious. Leaders with a sense of vision can often “solve the puzzle” because they have the ability to see the scope of a situation in its entirety and then focus on what really matters. To truly develop a sense of vision, a leader must have insight, look at the long-term perspective, and ponder the “big picture.” Specific Communication Strategy: Practice creative thinking skills, but also seek out the ideas of others so that you can truly grasp the “big picture.”

The Planks of Leadership Plank 2: A Leader is Willing to Act Leaders are doers. Take action. Believe in getting the job done and getting it done well. “Quit thinking and talking about success and start acting.” -Sinclair Lewis Specific Communication Strategy: When leadership is needed, take charge! Make statements such as these: “Here’s what we need to do now.” “Let’s now make a specific list of who’s responsible for what.”

The Planks of Leadership Plank 3: A Leader Makes Good Decisions Nothing will kill the credibility of a leader more quickly than to be perceived by others as indecisive when the time comes for decision making. Decisions should show intelligence, reflect ethical communication, and show that you feel a sense of social professional responsibility for those who are your followers.

Questions to ask yourself… 1) Am I knowledgeable about the issues and the people involved? Knowing as much as possible about the history of a subject or person can help with insight to the views of the situation.

Questions to ask yourself… 2) Am I making decisions in the correct order? Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? A good leader decides on larger issues first and then moves down the list, realistically considering needs versus wants before prioritizing.

Questions to ask yourself… 3) Am I aware of the risks involved? A good leader should be informed and able to prioritize. He or she must also be willing to consider taking a chance sometimes if the situation is right.

The Planks of Leadership Plank 4: A Leader Can Handle Conflict Conflict Management: The ability to turn a potentially negative situation into a good one. Four Step Plan 1) Shut Up! A good leader doesn’t always have to be the one doing the talking. 2) Look Up! Establish eye contact with the person. 3) Hook Up! It is important to “hook up” emotionally with the other person to try to understand his or her point of view. 4) Chill Down! When you do verbally respond to the other person, make your comments rational, sensitive, and constructive. Specific Communication Strategy: In a tactful manner, summarize for others what they have said to you so that they know that you were paying attention to them.

The Planks of Leadership Plank 5: A Leader Works to Avoid Pitfalls Being conscious of a potential problem ahead of time might help you “cut it off at the pass” – stop it before it gets started. Pitfall 1: Being Afraid to Fail… A leader should not always play it safe. Pitfall 2: Not Paying Attention to Details… Of course, a good leader should focus on the “big picture.” But he or she should also pay attention to the small things. Pitfall 3: Forgetting People and the Original Objectives… Don’t leave those behind who’ve put in the work from the beginning and don’t lose sight of what the main objective originally was. Pitfall 4: Not listening to Others… Seeing others’ views enables leaders to have a better understanding of a situation.

The Planks of Leadership Plank 6: A Leader Knows How to Motivate Motivation: to inspire others, yourself, or both. Motivation is personal. The job of a good leader is to know his or her group well enough to know what will work with whom… different strokes for different folks. Specific Communication Strategy: Read the advice given for Planks 1-5 and work on making both your verbal and non-verbal communication clear and meaningful.

Notes - Learning Styles Learning Style 1: Discussion Learn best through meaningful discussion Want to be actively involved in the oral communication process, lots of dialogue, and feedback. Appreciate face-to-face communication. Love to brainstorm and throw many ideas out onto the table.

Notes – Learning Styles Learning Style 2: Logic Learn best when things are presented logically. “Just the Facts” approach. Logic stresses analysis, organization, and an approach to focusing on “good sense.” Not impressed by a lot of talk, genuinely interested when they hear a direct, logical, to-the-point plan of action.

Notes – Learning Styles Learning Style 3: Design Learn best when they can see and hear how the “big picture” fits together. Includes engineers, builders, and designers. Encouraged when the leader presents a clear picture of relationships and shows how the different parts are all going to work together as a smooth-running unit.

Notes – Learning Styles Learning Style 4: Emotion Learn best with communication and a hands-on approach when the leader is energetic and fired up. A leader who shows the group that he or she is emotionally involved with a specific project or idea will quickly attract highly involved and committed followers.

Follow the Leader Activity