Keller

What is Effective Leadership? - Keller

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1.4, University of Strathclyde, language: English, comment: This paper discusses the various factors that together create an effective and supportive working environment, using inputs from a range of literature research together with my own experiences. It further describes the essential qualities and the knowledge needed for effective leadership although there is not space here to consider gender issues in leadership in detail. The principal questions to be answered are: What is effective leadership? What does he/she do? Can a certain leadership style/frame be applied like a recipe to a certain organizational behavior to guarantee success? , abstract: Leadership as a topic has been extensive studied around the world, yet the terms of reference remain vague. It is easier to define effective, since the dictionary1 definition is clear: producing a strong impression or response. Different authors have offered a whole range of definitions and opinions on what constitutes leadership. Leadership can be defined as the key dynamic force that motivates and co-ordinates the organisation in the accomplishment of its objectives (Dubrin,1997i). It is not so much a science but more an art that influences by example or persuasion to induce action. The executive has to be effective although "to effect" and "to execute" imply something different (Drucker,1993ii). In general, executives are highly intelligent individuals but it seems there is little correlation between a leader's intelligence and his/her effectiveness, as Drucker points out. Generally, overall success can be measured in terms of productivity plus the realization of organizational goals, while the profitability of corporations is typically weighted in money earned. Dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable employees combined with a management team that understands how to inspire competent and motivated pe