Leadership at workplace

Outline

1. What is leadership?

2. Identify the traits and skills of an effective leader

3. Key leadership theories
4. Examine the role, duties and responsibilities of a Team Leader in the
workplace
5. Understand the limits of authority in a Team Leader role
6. Develop a plan to develop your own leadership potential
Understanding Leadership

What is leadership?
Why is leadership important – why do we
need leaders?
Leaders – born or bred?
 Definition
Leadership is a function of knowing yourself,
having a vision that is well communicated,
building trust among colleagues, and taking
effective action to realize your own leadership
potential."
Prof. Warren Bennis
 Keys

“influencing people so that they will strive

willingly towards the achievement of group
goals”
 How important is a leader?

In most cases, people will perform at about

60% of their potential with no leadership at
all
Thus, an additional 40% can be realized if
effective leadership is available
Workshop 1

Exercise In pairs/ group

Discuss examples you have come across of
strong and weak leadership

You can use examples from employment,

academic studies or participation in sports
clubs and societies (keep anonymous)
 Leadership Theory

Early Theories:
Great Man Theories
 Leaders are exceptional people, born with innate qualities,
destined to lead
 Term 'man' was intentional - concept was primarily male,
military and Western

Trait Theories
 Research on traits or qualities associated with leadership are
numerous
 Traits are hard to measure. For example, how do we
measure honesty or integrity?
Workshop 2
Leadership Traits

Group Exercise:
Choose leaders YOU admire
What personality traits and skills do they
have?
 Leadership Traits and Skills
Skills
Traits • Clever (intelligent)
 Adaptable to situations • Conceptually skilled
 Alert to social environment • Creative
 Ambitious and achievement • Diplomatic and tactful
orientated • Fluent in speaking
 Assertive
• Knowledgeable about group task
 Cooperative
• Organised (administrative ability)
 Decisive
• Persuasive
 Dependable
 Dominant (desire to influence others)
• Socially skilled
 Energetic (high activity level) Stogdill& Bennis
 Persistent
 Self-confident Leaders will also use:
 Tolerant of stress Integrity, Honesty, Compassion, Humility
 Willing to assume responsibility
 Leadership Theory
Situational/contingency Leadership (Hersey-Blanchard, 1970/80)
Leadership style changes according to the 'situation‘ and in response to the
individuals being managed – their competency and motivation
 New Leadership Theory

Transformational Theory (Bass and Avolio,

1994)
 Leaders inspire individuals, develop trust, and
encourage creativity and personal growth
 Individuals develop a sense of purpose to
benefit the group, organisation or society. This
goes beyond their own self-interests and an
exchange of rewards or recognition for effort
or loyalty.
 Key Team Leader Responsibilities

1. Guide/coordinate team members – encourage teamwork

and motivate individuals

2. Provide structure for team – set mission and purpose,

clarify roles and responsibilities, allocate tasks and set
objectives

3. Clarify working methods, practises and protocol

4. Focus on performance – anticipate challenges, monitor

performance, delegate and provide support
Responsibility Vs Accountability?

What does having authority mean?

 Accountability, Responsibility, and Authority

 Accountability the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable

 Responsibility (for objects, tasks or people) can be delegated but

accountability can not – buck stops with you!
 A good leader accepts ultimate responsibility:
 will give credit to others when delegated responsibilities succeed
 will accept blame when delegated responsibilities fail
 Accountability can not operate fairly without the leader being given full
authority for the responsibilities concerned

 Authority is the power to influence or command thought, opinion or

behaviour
 Team Leader Authority

Team Leader authority will vary from role to role dependent on the scope of duties and
organisational structure
A Team Leader may refer to line management or other
authorities for the following:
 HR (staff recruitment and training, performance and discipline, racism or bullying, bossing)
 Policy and procedures (Health and Safety, changes to working practises)
 Budget & resources (allocation and management)
 Organisational objectives (strategy, targets)
 Managing change (department restructure, office move)
 Line management (support and advice)
What is the difference between a boss and a
leader.?
 How to improve your leadership skills
 Reflect and identify the skills YOU need to lead effectively and create
your action plan to develop them

 Ask for feedback from work colleagues, line managers, tutors, your
‘followers’

 Practise! Take on responsibility (work, volunteering, clubs & Societies)

and reflect on your performance
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB2fOF_gYBg

 Find a mentor – learn from positive leadership role-models

 Attend further leadership and management training


 What is leadership?
 Identify the traits and skills of an effective leader
 Key leadership theories
 Examine the role, duties and responsibilities of a
Team Leader in the workplace
 Understand the limits of authority in a Team
Leader role
 Develop a plan to develop your own leadership
potential
 Dear class,

 Thank you for your attention 

I hope you will make great leaders

In the future
 Open to discussion

 Identify current challenges and find better answers that permanently

improve productivity.
 Implement tools that end miscommunication and get the right results
the first time!
 habits that will raise employee performance.
 Question 2

 Q #2) Define a difficult and important task of a Leader?

* The role of a leader involves two duties. As a leader, he should act as a

team member and simultaneously he should act as an individual to drive
the whole team.

*A leader should ensure that all his team-mates are on the same path
towards the end goal which in turn leads to organizational success.
 Question 3

 Q #3) How will you guide your team to improve or develop their
individual skills?

 As a leader I will suggest my team members attend any training,

workshops on soft skills, behavioral courses to improve or strengthen
their interpersonal skills and other talents.,,,
 Question 4

 How will you encourage your team by sharing the other team member’s
success?

 Praising one’s success in front of others will inspire and motivate them to
work harder. It encourages and gives confidence to others to perform
better. One who gets succeeded in their career should be rewarded
 During your work experiences while attending college, club or
association tell me about a time when you demonstrated that you have
leadership ability and skill??
 The Top 6 Leadership Challenges Around the
World
 1. Developing Managerial Effectiveness is the challenge of developing the
relevant skills — such as time-management, prioritization, strategic
thinking, decision-making, and getting up to speed with the job — to be
more effective at work.

 2. Inspiring Others is the challenge of inspiring or motivating others to

ensure they are satisfied with their jobs and working smarter.

 3. Developing Employees is the challenge of developing others, including

mentoring and coaching.
 4. Leading a Team is the challenge of team-building, team development, and team
management. Specific challenges include how to instill pride in a team or support the team,
how to lead a big team, and what to do when taking over a new team.

 5. Guiding Change is the challenge of managing, mobilizing, understanding and leading

change. Guiding change includes knowing how to mitigate consequences, overcome
resistance to change, and deal with employees’ reactions to change.

 6. Managing Internal Stakeholders and Politics is the challenge of managing relationships,

politics, and image. This challenge includes gaining managerial support and managing up and
getting buy-in from other departments, groups or individuals.