Understanding Behaviors for Effective Leadership Howell & Costley, 2006 Chapter 1

Defining Leadership Leadership is a process used by an individual to influence group members toward the achievement of group goals in which the group members view the influence as legitimate. (Chap 1. P.4)

Defining Leadership 1. Leadership is a process or series of actions directed towards group goals. Not a single act but a pattern of behaviors consistently over time with specific objectives.

Defining Leadership 2. The actions of leaders are designed to influence people to modify their behavior. Those being influenced are followers and play an important role. First, without followers no one can be a leader; and all leaders are followers at times.

Defining Leadership 3. Even though a series of actions may be carried out by more than one person, a single person will usually fill the role of a leader.

Defining Leadership 4. Followers view the leader’s influence as legitimate; which means the influence is reasonable and justifiable under the circumstances.

Defining Leadership 5. The leader’s influence is directed towards group goals. The leader is often involved in setting the goals for the group. The most important point is that there is a goal or target the group is seeking to achieve. The leader is there to help the group achieve this goal.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 16–8 Who Are Leaders and What Is Leadership? Leader – Someone who can influence others in relationship with others. Leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real change that reflect their mutual purposes. Let’s break this into smaller pieces:

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 16–9 Who are leaders and what is leadership?. 1. Influence relationship – the best leaders will always be a positive influence in other’s lives. 2. Among Leaders and Followers- A leader cannot lead without followers and followers cannot follow without leaders. Leadership cannot happen with out both helping each other. 3. Who intend real change – Great leaders and their followers will bring about real change to make the world a better place to live. 4. Reflect their mutual purpose – Together, leaders and their followers will have one main purpose or goal in mind that is worth working towards together!

Importance of Leadership A real social process Affects important events Provides followers’ satisfaction and performance Affects the environment of a business Creates shared beliefs, values, and expectations Helps the understanding of issues

Influences Actions that are systematic and continuous. Getting others, including team members, to modify (change) their behavior. How team members achieve goals. Someone to take a leadership role in a situation that needs specific leadership. Are reasonable and justifiable. Directed toward group goals

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 16–12 The Leadership Process Three Key Tasks: 1. Diagnosing situational and follower characteristics. 2. Providing the leadership behavior needed by followers. 3. Developing followers or modifying their tasks or environment. Chart p. 15

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 16–13 The Leadership Process 1. Diagnose situational/follower characteristics. A leader must carefully evaluate their followers, the tasks they perform and the organizations in which they work. Leaders need to be able to determine the follower’s abilities, experience and motivation so they can provide task guidance or allow the follower to work independently.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 16–14 The Leadership Process 2. Provide leadership behavior needed by followers. Providing the appropriate leadership behavior requires a leader to understand the followers needs. Some followers may need to be complimented, others to be understood (need a leader who will hear their personal problems), and others sometimes may need a “kick in the pants”.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 16–15 The Leadership Process 3. Develop followers/modify tasks or environment. The goal in this stage is for the leader to promote self-leadership by the follower so they learn to act more independently of the leader. Some followers need or prefer more direction or personal involvement from the leader.

Leadership Traits and Behaviors Leadership traits: Self-confidence Assertiveness Sociability Speaking ability Social understanding Originality Adaptability Responsibility Initiative Persistence Cooperativeness Leadership Behaviors: Leaders use different behaviors in different situations And based on who the followers are