What makes a manager of an organization one that can be properly characterized as an authentic leader? Furthermore, what makes the people who report to that manager motivated to not only accomplish the needed tasks and meet the required deadlines, but also to go above and beyond that to simply do the right thing, or, for the benefit of others in the organization? I will demonstrate through this post that I believe the one characteristic that makes a very good leader a great (and truly effective) one is when they display authentic leadership. I will discuss two specific methods that characterized my manager’s display of authenticity in his leadership style as an accounting manager: ethics and trust, and other-centeredness (described by Robbins and Judge as, “socialized charismatic leadership”) (2011).
Authentic Leadership through Ethics and Trust
What role do ethics and trust play when we determine the effectiveness of a leader? Robbins and Judge point out that there are some scholars that argue that the picture of effective leadership is only completed when there is consideration of the role of ethics and trust (Robbins and Judge, 2011). From witnessing the day-to-day activities of my accounting manager for the past four years, I would have to concur with these scholars. When the most important goals of a team, especially one in the realm of finance, are to seek and report what is true, what is accurate, and most important, what is right – over and above what
Every person has a different definition of what makes a leader. Some feel a leader is inspirational, while others regard leadership as someone who can give criticism and make the tough decisions. Each definition is unique, and each is vague. This is why the definitions of leadership people use aren’t always accurate. Bolman and Deal, however, do an excellent job of presenting four frames of leadership people use to successfully—or unsuccessfully—support and lead a group of people. The four frames presented by the authors are: human resource, symbolic, structural, and political. The human resource frame is used by leaders to empathize with their followers, the symbolic frame is used to inspire and unite followers around a vision, the structural frame is used to emphasize the importance of a process, and the political frame establishes competition and focuses on creating allies.
Leaders that demonstrate a commitment to behaving in an ethical manner are viewed as trustworthy and subordinates gravitate toward them. Ethical leaders have a foundational belief in honesty and trustworthiness and disseminating these principles throughout the organization. This paper will present ethical leadership models as tools for merging diverse cultures into the existing organizational culture. An overview of which leadership models, styles, and traits are most commonly accepted as ethical across the greatest array of social cultures will be discussed. The paper will culminate with a selection of a particular leadership model as a tool for shaping organizational culture and the rationale for selecting that model.
It is important for nurses to be good leaders? Discuss qualities you have observed in nurses that exemplify effective leadership in action? How do you think the observed behaviors help to improve patient outcomes?
At the end of the day, the best explanation for fostering an ethical behavior is not a difficult one, but an encouraging approach by the leaders of the organization (Mullane 2009). Ethical behavior is essential and must be reflected in the leaders and shaped by those they led. Ethics-based approaches to leadership believes that the leader is not always the one with all the knowledge. Such an approach believes that the followers are just as important as the leader and that the followers should be the main focus and encouraged. Ethics-based approaches believe the leader should put aside his or her personal interests. The following pages will review some perspectives regarding ethical leadership.
“Leadership is effective only if carried out in an ethical manner” according to Satterlee (p. 116). Professionalism and ethics coincide together as a professional and personal way of deciding something. They are decided based upon ethical standards, values, and or morals. Vivian-Byrne and Hunt (2014) explain how performing with professional and social ethics deeply affects conjectures, actions, and different exercises that different powers leaders choose to enact. Ethics is indispensable. Ethics is paramount to leadership. Ethics is choosing to do the right thing because it is the right thing. When a manager decides to act in an ethical way, one that shows their morals and values, the organization as a whole
What does it mean to be a leader? We encounter leaders in everyday situations, whether it be a professor, boss, coach, or parent. No matter how distinguished or subordinate our roles, we have some type of leadership responsibility over others. How does one effectively lead other people? What methods, ideas, and skills should leaders convey to the public? It is not always easy or fun to be a leader and it is almost guaranteed that a population will not like the views and beliefs of the one in charge. What type of person or idea comes to mind when someone says the word President? Hopefully, they are positive words like leader, intelligent, helpful, and hardworking. A president has one of the toughest leadership roles because he/she is placed in a position to make very tough decisions on topics that people have many varying opinions about. As a voter, it can be difficult to stay informed on topics and determine which party to choose. A person must ask themselves what they stand for or believe in and then decide which candidate is best qualified to fulfill the requirements. Being a first time voter is a very exciting experience that comes with a great responsibility. The 2016 campaign has showcased much personal and political turmoil of the candidates, making it hard to know which side to choose. With an election year like never before, the candidates have placed a lot of pressure on voters to decide who is fit enough to bring our country back into order, but Donald Trump has
What makes a good leader? This is a question asked constantly, especially in the educational fields, and especially by the film Dead Poets Society. This film is a portrayal of the battle between the modern view of leadership and the traditional, as it clashes in a prep school with unruly teenage boys. Here we see a struggle between a young teacher with a new vision and the leaders of a school with principles it has followed for years. In the midst of this struggle we also see the next generation of leaders rise up and fall. This is a representation of leadership at its best, and its worst, and sometimes it falls somewhere in-between. However, the main theme of this movie is the stark contrast between two leadership styles. These leadership
Successful collaboration requires strong and reliable leaders to guide individuals through decisions. Anyone can be placed in charge, but there are few people who can govern efficiently. A leader is a person who has been trusted with the responsibility of the group and is looked towards for guidance. A capable supervisor is just as important as a dedicated worker. Certain characteristics are required in order to fulfill the role of a leader. Knowing the characteristics needed in a leader will help people establish better cooperation among the people they work with. An effective leader has integrity, awareness, creativity, confidence, optimism, focus and accountability.
In the last decade, highly publicized corporate scandals, (e.g., Bernie Madoff, Enron, Pacific Gas and Electric), unethical management and illegal behavior together with broader social and economic challenges have turned public and academic attention toward the behavior of individual organizational leaders. In response to repeated unethical lapses by highly visible leaders, the general public is demanding greater accountability, calling for positive forms of leadership in organizations in order to restore confidence in our social institutions (Avolio, & Gardner, 2005; Walumbwa, Avolio, Gardner, Wernsing, & Peterson, 2007; Gardner, Cogliser, Davis, Mathew, & Dickens, 2011). A theory of authentic
What qualities make a good leader? You can ask a hundred different people, and you will get a hundred different answers. A good leader is someone who accomplishes the mission, has the respect of their subordinates, and makes the difficult decisions when needed. For me, I believe that a great leader needs to have a variety of qualities, but most importantly a sense of fairness, hard work/care, and common consideration for others. Different experiences throughout my life and time at West Point have lead me to believe that these three tenants are what are most needed for a great leader. In terms of a leader’s moral character, common consideration has the greatest influence on the success of a leader, because without common consideration, a
Leadership can be very complicated since it is personal and most of us have a different vision or stance on how we lead or think we lead. There are many definitions on what leadership is and most are usually correct in one way or another. A person’s leadership philosophy can be greatly influenced in many ways spanning their entire life and career. I have been influenced in many ways, starting with my parents and continuing to the newest A-school student checking into the Air Station. I like to think that a good leader is influenced by anyone he comes in contact with shaping who you are as a leader and that it never ceases to end. Being a United States Marine has also greatly influenced my life in many ways, including building the
What makes a leader? Some may say good values, environment, and role models. Others may say they are just born. I would not say I was just born a leader and I cannot say that there is just one moment that lead to all of this. There were a string of moments; accidental lessons and trainings. Overall, I do not think I ever chose to be a leader, I chose to be active and that choice is what lead me to where I am today.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it” as stated by Peter Drucker, a famous philosopher during the early 1900s. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. Within the choices we make on an everyday basis, it is imperative to use what we know and have gained through social experiences to complete the possibilities of our “castle in the air”. For this will make and shape our own destiny, to the top of our zenith.
I believe a true leader needs to possess several different leadership characteristics to be considered a successful leader. Depending on the circumstance or task at hand they may use one leadership skill or they may use several. I understand leadership to mean setting a good example for others to follow and inspiring them to do their personal best. I have no doubt that each of us encounters leaders in our everyday life. Whether it be a teacher, boss, coach, parent or even a friendly neighbor. They each have their own unique leadership characteristic or skill that can prove to be beneficial to us in some way. While there are several qualities and characteristics to choose from, most people do have strengths and weaknesses.
Leadership is the ability to lead or guide a group or an individual through your footstep and wisdom. Without good leaders to shape and guide, society will become stagnant. A good leader must possess the ability to recognize whatever is fair, good and honest, and to set good example of integrity and morel for others to follow. A good leader must never be opinionative until he or she has accounted for all the possibility and facts before having to make an educated decision. In addition he must be a strong thinker, to be able to think outside the box, meaning to approach decision making situation in an unconventional manner. A good leader is able to dream, have set goals to accomplish and will always gain trust and loyalty of his followers. Alexander the great was able to conquer most of the known world within his short life time as a result of his successful leadership skills.