Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish objectives and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent.

LEADERSHIP DEFINITION

Key Factors of this definition:

• Influence others

• To achieve goals/ objectives

• Prioritise the aims of the organisation over individual ambitions; however play a part in determining & directing these organisational aims.

• List who you think are great leaders. Can be businessman, politicians, other public figures etc.

LEADERSHIP EXERCISE

• Why are these leaders great? List their attributes.

• A volunteer to come to the board and circle the attributes that are skills / knowledge-based.

• Another volunteer to come to the board and circle the attributes that are attitude-based.

Leadership attributes include:

• Beliefs

• Values

• Ethics

• Character

• Knowledge

• Skills

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

ATTITUDE

THE LEADERSHIP PROCESS

• Communicate organisational objectives and goals.• Influence groups and individuals.

• Build and support teams.

• Demonstrate personal and professional competence.

John Adair's Action-Centred Leadership model is represented by Adair's 'three circles' diagram, which illustrates Adair's three core management responsibilities:

achieving the task

managing the team or group

managing individuals

your responsibilities as a manager for achieving the task are:

• identify aims and vision for the group, purpose, and direction - define the activity (the task)

• identify resources, people, processes, systems and tools (inc. financials, communications, IT)

• create the plan to achieve the task - deliverables, measures, timescales, strategy and tactics

• establish responsibilities, objectives, accountabilities and measures, by agreement and delegation

your responsibilities as a manager for achieving the task are:

• set standards, quality, time and reporting parameters

• control and maintain activities against parameters

• monitor and maintain overall performance against plan

• report on progress towards the group's aim

• review, re-assess, adjust plan, methods and targets as necessary

your responsibilities as a manager for the group are:

• establish, agree and communicate standards of performance and behaviour

• establish style, culture, approach of the group - soft skill elements

• monitor and maintain discipline, ethics, integrity and focus on objectives

• anticipate and resolve group conflict, struggles or disagreements

• assess and change as necessary the balance and composition of the group

• develop team-working, cooperation, morale and team-spirit

your responsibilities as a manager for the group are:

• develop the collective maturity and capability of the group - progressively increase group freedom and authority

• encourage the team towards objectives and aims - motivate the group and provide a collective sense of purpose

• identify, develop and agree team- and project-leadership roles within group

• enable, facilitate and ensure effective internal and external group communications

• identify and meet group training needs

• give feedback to the group on overall progress; consult with, and seek feedback and input from the group

your responsibilities as a manager for each individual are:

• understand the team members as individuals - personality, skills, strengths, needs, aims and fears

• assist and support individuals - plans, problems, challenges, highs and lows

• identify and agree appropriate individual responsibilities and objectives

• give recognition and praise to individuals - acknowledge effort and good work

your responsibilities as a manager for each individual are:

•where appropriate reward individuals with extra responsibility, advancement and status

•identify, develop and utilise each individual's capabilities and strengths

•train and develop individual team members

•develop individual freedom and authority

Adair was probably the first to demonstrate that leadership is a trainable, transferable skill, rather than it being an exclusively inborn ability. He helped change perception of management to encompass leadership, to include associated abilities of decision-making, communication and time-management.

Leadership is different to management. All leaders are not necessarily great managers, but the best leaders will possess good management skills. One skill-set does not automatically imply the other will be present.

Adair used the original word meanings to emphasise this: Leadership is an ancient ability about deciding direction, from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning the road or path ahead; knowing the next step and then taking others with you to it.

Leadership contains elements not necessarily found in management, eg: inspiring others through the leader's own enthusiasm and commitment.

COMMUNICATE ORGANISATIONAL MISSION & GOALS

• Clarify organisational objectives, values and standards.• Link organisational objectives with individual and team responsibilities and roles. • Make clear the expectations of the organisation. Personalise them.

• Build commitment to the organisation .

• Deal with problems and/or incidents promptly and clearly communicate results to the team/ individuals .

MISSION STATEMENTS

Walt Disney:"To make people happy."

The Walt Disney Company's objective is to be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information, using its portfolio of brands to differentiate its content, services and consumer products. The company's primary financial goals are to maximize earnings and cash flow, and to allocate capital profitability toward growth initiatives that will drive long-term shareholder value.

General Electric:Values - Imagine, solve, build and lead - four bold verbs that express what it is to be part of GE. Their action-oriented nature says something about who we are - and should serve to energize ourselves and our teams around leading change and driving performance.

• Clarify organisational objectives, values and standards:

MISSION STATEMENTS

Ford Motor Company: "To become the world's leading consumer company for automotive products and services."

"McDonald's vision is to be the world's best quick service restaurant experience. Being the best means providing outstanding quality, service, cleanliness, and value, so that we make every customer in every restaurant smile."

Sony: "To experience the joy of advancing and applying technology for the benefit of the public."

Google: "To make the world's information universally accessible and useful"

3M: "To solve unsolved problems innovatively“

MISSION STATEMENTS

"Everything we do is inspired by our enduring mission:

To Refresh the World... in body, mind, and spirit.

To Inspire Moments of Optimism... through our brands and our actions.

To Create Value and Make a Difference... everywhere we engage."

Which famous company has adopted the following mission statement: