Many leaders may be leading many companies and nations but all are not capable of leading. Some
tend give in to the forces around them. The ENRON situation comes to mind in regards to business
leaders and the Governor of Illinois is an example of poor leadership within government. Neither
really were leaders but were in leadership positions. Both used their powers to abuse, with one
failing and the other went to prison.
Leaders should never change their style to adapt to the characteristics and needs of their followers.
The leaders would become followers if they change their style to conform to demand. If a leader
changes their way of running the business or the team which they lead, their style would not be the
style of a leader. For example, if Bill Gates conformed his business thinking every time a consumer
did not like a product, he would not be the successful leader he is today.
The characteristics of a leader are simple, self-esteem, focus and control, goal orientation, optimism,
courage, looking for opportunity and taking advantage of it, tolerance and strong internal motivation
(Johannsen 2008). When a leader is strong and secure, for the most part, the business operations
will be successful. Training, communication and listening are truly the core factors in being a leader.
When a leader does not communicate, the project will fail. When the leader does not listen, the
project will fail. When training is eliminated, all factors point toward failure.
Of all of the leadership theories I’ve read about, I think the contingent theory seems to be the best.
"Contingency theories of leadership focus on particular variables related to the environment that
might determine which particular style of leadership is best suited for the situation. According to this
theory, no leadership style is best in all situations. Success depends upon a number of variables,
including the leadership style, qualities of the followers, and aspects of the situation." (Wagner 2009)
Leaders must assess the situation and be flexible. When there is no flexibility, success will not be
achieved.
References
Hughes, R.L., Ginnett, R.C., & Curphy, G.J. (2012). Leadership: Enhancing the lessons
of experience (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Johannsen, Murray (2008) Legacy in Leadership,
http://www.legacee.com/Info/Leadership/LeadershipEntrepreneurial.html
Wagner (2009) Leadership Theories, http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/p/leadtheories.htm