Personal Definition of Leadership
Many people define “leadership” differently depending on their expectations and obligations. However, leadership is a critical role that takes an organization from one point to another. Leadership plays a significant role in many organizations today (Karmakar, 2010). This explains why most of the successful companies and organizations have embraced the best leadership styles and strategies. For example, Howard Schultz of Starbucks is one of the most incredible people whose leadership style and design led to the success of Starbucks. That being the case, a leader should do more than manage an organization. A leader is the only person who can determine the future of any organization.
From the class readings and materials, it is notable that different people will define leadership differently. Personally, I will define leadership as “one of the most important obligations whereby a person is supposed to organize, empower, mentor and motivate a group or team in order to achieve the targeted goals” (Vries et al., 2010). A leader is always ready and available to mentor others. A leader addresses the challenges affecting the organization.
A leader is “a person who helps others in order to finish a given task in a proper manner” (Karmakar, 2010). A leader should also manage a “situation” or an “activity” in order to achieve the targeted goals. From a personal perspective, I would argue that leadership is what determines the success of any given business organization.
It is agreeable that an “effective leader” should provide a sense of purpose in an organization. The leader provided the needed incentives and motivation in an organization (Hughes et al., 2011). Such aspects of leadership are fundamental because they help leaders accomplish their specific missions and visions in their respective organizations. It is also necessary for leaders to be “managers.” A leader will always coordinate, manage, monitor, plan, and take care of his/her organization. It is also necessary for leaders to be “administrators.” Some theorists argue that business organizations should hire competent leaders in order to achieve their goals.
Individuals should treat leadership as a “process” that determines the success of any given organization. The role of a leader is to ensure this process is successful. The leader will, therefore, understand the experiences of his/her employees and provide them with the needed incentives. The leader will always empower the employees in order to achieve the targeted outcomes. The leader should always treat his/her functions as “critical” because they determine the success of the organization. “The leader should be aware of the best actions and decisions that will make the organization success (Hughes et al., 2011)”. It is also necessary for leaders to share their experiences and learn from their mistakes. The approach will create the best environment, thus making it easier for the organization to become successful and profitable.
The above definition shows clearly how leadership is changing today. In the recent past, individuals and scholars used to treat administration as a process of directing and leading others in an organization. However, this has changed due to the emerging issues in business and organizational practices (Vries et al., 2010). Leadership has become a widely discussed topic today. Scholars have redefined leadership as a “process” and not a “position.”
There have been new ideas and concerns about the specific roles of a leader. A leader should exercise his/her powers in order to influence others. However, different theories and organizational behaviors explain why leaders should mentor and influence others in a positive manner (Hughes et al., 2011). Leaders should not “yearn for” more power or use their positions in a negative way. Most of the recent organizational studies explain why leaders should remain “true” to their values.
As well, the question of ethics and values has become relevant today. A leader in any organization should always do the “right thing.” The leader should be “moral” (Hughes et al., 2011). A leader should embrace the best values and ethical principles in order to make his/her organization successful. This is the best approach for leaders to maintain their integrity and competence. Organizational leaders should be responsible and treat leadership as a necessary “organizational process.” Leaders should also be concerned about the welfare of their teams and employees. They should even understand the needs and expectations of their respective customers and employees.
It is agreeable that leaders have a significant role to play in different organizations (Vries et al., 2010). Leaders should embrace the best styles in order to address the challenges affecting their organizations. They should adopt a transformational approach in order to influence others in a positive way. Modern theories on organizational behavior are, therefore, essential because they encourage leaders to understand their limits and goals. By so doing, the leaders will remain true to their organizations and eventually realize their dreams.
Personal Knowledge and Conclusions from the Readings
It is agreeable that every individual today is looking for new incentives and ways to become successful. I have learned many things that can help me become a successful person in the future. Although I have been a good leader in military practice, I firmly believe that my newly acquired skills will be of great use towards my future career. To begin with, I have learned many things related to organizational behavior.
The first important thing is that “organizations should hire the best leaders so that they can implement the best strategies and processes” (Karmakar, 2010). This is the best approach towards a successful organization. A leader should be ready to embrace the concept of leadership (Vries et al., 2010). This is necessary because “organizational behavior” is what improves the efficiency and effectiveness of any given business organization. Leaders should always embrace the best practices and structures in order to encourage their employees.
From our class discussions, I have acquainted myself with the best theories and practices that can help me establish a successful organization or business in the future. A business leader should always understand the experiences, attitudes, and expectations of the individuals in his/her organization. A leader should apply the best ideas and incentives in order to motivate the employees. According to Karmakar (2010), “organizational behavior encourages leaders to mentor others, embrace the best ethical principles, and do what is right always.”
A leader should also manage stress in an organization. It is necessary to conduct surveys in order to understand the significant challenges affecting the employees. By so doing, it will be possible to realize the targeted goals. The class materials have provided me with a new understanding of organizational management and behavior.
How I Might Apply What I have learned in Class
The other important thing is how I might apply these ideas in my life and future career. I have always viewed myself as a leader and not a manager. However, the current study explains why I should work hard in order to become successful. I now understand how to manage stress, empower others, embrace the best ethical practices, and be a team player. Such traits encourage leaders to be involved in different processes and solve most of the problems and challenges affecting their organizations (Hughes et al., 2011).
A leader should also manage stress and overcome prejudice. The approach helps managers and leaders make meaningful decisions in their organizations. It is agreeable that moral principles and the concept of social responsibility are essential strategies towards a successful business organization.
That being the case, I will always use such ideas in my future career. I am looking forward to opening a small coffee business in the future. I will still mentor my employees, provide them with the best incentives, and encourage them to work as a team. I will also promote the best ethical practices in the business. As an entrepreneur, I will always embrace the best practices in order to make the business successful. As a team player, I will help in decision-making and address the challenges affecting my employees.
I will always empower them to achieve targeted goals. The idea of communication is mandatory for the success of any organization (Vries et al., 2010). It will be my duty to communicate with my employees and promote the best workplace practices. I will also use such ideas to complete my personal projects. This will be the best path towards my success.
Personal Plan for my Small Coffee Shop
My entrepreneurial dream is to open a small coffee shop. I firmly believe that my new knowledge will be essential to the success of my coffee shop. To begin with, I will consider the best strategies to hire the right people. A leader should implement the best process that focuses on targeted goals. The first step towards a successful business is having the right people (Vries et al., 2010). After this process, I will “lead” the employees in accordance with my new skills and knowledge.
I will achieve this objective by motivating, empowering, and leading my employees. It will also be my duty to embrace the idea of “teamwork.” Teams are essential because they make decisions faster, thus making it easier to provide quality services to the customers.
The other important consideration is how to promote an ethical business. As a leader, I will embrace the concept of “corporate social responsibility.” The vision of the company will be “to provide the best coffee to our customers while promoting environmental sustainability.” It will be my “topmost” priority to embrace the best practices, empower others, and make the best decisions for the business. I will adopt a transformational leadership style in order to make my coffee shop successful.
With such an approach, I will find it easier to address most of the challenges affecting the business. It will also provide the best working conditions for the employees and encourage them to be involved in the business process (Vries et al., 2010). Finally, my leadership approach will be a “continuous process” in order to make a small business successful.
Reference List
Hughes, R., Ginnett, R. & Curphy, G. (2011). Leadership: Enhancing the Lessons of Experience. New York: McGraw Hill.
Karmakar, A. (2010). Principles and Practices of Management and Business Communication. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Vries, R., Bakker-Pieper, A. & Oostenveld, W. (2010). Leadership = Communication? The Relations of Leaders’ Communication Styles with Leadership Styles, Knowledge Sharing, and Leadership Outcomes. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(3), 367-380.