16 Things You Need to Know About Leadership
Posted on October 11th, 2008
1. Leadership is not the same as management, nor is it tied to a position of authority. Leadership is more an art than a science.
2. The relationship between leaders and followers is interactive and mutually beneficial.
3. Keys to effective leadership include the use of the appropriate style at a particular time and flexibility to attend to the needs of the followers, use the talents of the group members, and meet the goals of the group.
4. Leadership style can be viewed as a set of behaviors that characterize individuals as they perform their leader role. These styles differ in terms of how power is distributed among those leading and those following, how decisions are made, and whose needs are of primary concern.
5. There is no single widely accepted definition or theory of leadership.
6. Leaders “cause ripples,” “rock the boat,” “disturb the status quo,” and take risks.
7. Leaders are visionary. They envision goals and possibilities.
8. Leaders help members of a group reflect on their shared vision when they fulfill the leadership task known as affirming values.
9. Leaders motivate others to work toward group goals. Motivation includes attending to both internal and external forces that drive individuals to achieve their fullest potential and help a group accomplish its goals.
10. Leadership involves managing situations to achieve goals: planning carefully, using creative processes, providing resources, and making decisions.
11. Leaders help a group coalesce as a unified whole so that it can move forward to achieve its goals.
12. Effective leaders teach and explain so that followers can make informed choices.
13. Leaders serve as symbols and spokespersons for a group by reflecting the group’s values and collective identity and by representing the group.
14. The effective leader exercises good stewardship, a combination of accountability and partnership that best serves the clients (patients), the group, and the profession.
15. A group or organization must constantly be renewed to remain viable and strong.
16. The role of the follower is critical, for without followers there can be no leaders.
