While
it may be true that some are born leaders in the conventional sense, you do not
have to be at the top to show leadership qualities. Select one answer to each
of the following questions and then turn the page to discover what kind of
leader you are
1.        The most important characteristic to
make an effective leader is…
a         Helping others to succeed
b         Taking charge
c         Inspiring people
d         Respect
2.        The leader I most admire is:
a         Ghandi
b         Hitler
c         Richard Branson
d         Jack Welch
3.        To which of these alternative careers
would your employees assign you?
a         A personal fitness coach
b         The captain of a ship
c         An inventor
d         A judge
4.        People…
a         Are an organisation’s most valuable
asset
b         Are a means to an end
c         Need to be lead
d         Need someone to follow
5.        Which of the following best describes
you?
a         I help other people achieve their goals
b         I use other people’s abilities
to achieve my goals
c         I am someone others would be
willing to follow
d         I talk the talk and walk the
walk
6.        If a problem arises, what is your
approach to finding a solution?
a         Consultative
b         A brief brainstorm and a quick
implementation
c         Creative brainstorm, looking
for new solutions and opportunities
d         Reflective, relying on past
insights
7.        When a solution is found, it tends to
be…
a         Win-win for all stakeholders
b         Your solution, as you have the
most experience and knowledge
c         Your solution, but you leave
the detail to others
d         The best solution for the
organisation, after careful consideration
8.        Which of the following best describes
your communication style?
a         I always take time to listen and am
open in my responses
b         I am clear in what I expect of
people and I expect excellence
c         I listen to what people have to
say and challenge their preconceptions
d         I prefer to act than talk about
things
9.        If staff are not producing the results
you expect, do you…
a         Uncover the problem and come up with a
solution
b         Increase the reward
c         Apply more pressure
d         Do it yourself
10.      The mission and values of your
organisation…
a         Act as a central base point from which
everyone works
b         Have been defined, should be
strictly adhered to and re-enforced at all possible opportunities
c         Are there to provide a goal to
which everyone should aspire
d         Tend to end up as meaningless
words on the wall
The
leadership styles described on the next page are not mutually exclusive.
Effective leadership requires aspects of all these styles which have their
place and time.
The
essential aspects of effective leadership fall into four ‘roles’: creating the
blueprint, creating a system of work to achieve this blueprint, releasing the
talent, energy and contribution of people and building trust with others – the
very heart of effective leadership.
Character
and personality traits are a vital factor in how somebody tackles the
leadership challenge. A primarily visionary leader may enter the cycle in the
blueprint stage, while a primarily empowering leader is excellent at giving
people the tools and the freedom to lead themselves. Whatever your style, the
key is not to neglect these main aspects.
"Leadership
is communicating a person’s worth so effectively that they come to see it in
themselves."
So
what’s your leadership style
Mostly
As
The Servant Leader
The
servant-leader approach takes the principle of empowerment to its logical
conclusion. You see your role as simply helping your employees succeed – to
support those whom you lead.
This
means not only giving them the necessary tools and systems, and the freedom to
perform, but inspiring them to want to devote their energies to the
organisation’s mission – which also needs to be their mission. You recognise
that people’s time and physical ability may be bought, but you cannot buy their
heart, mind, and spirit. To achieve this you appreciate the culture of the
organisation must be built on principles such as trust and integrity: there
must be moral authority.
Mostly
Bs
The captain
You
are typically a highly driven individual who expects your people to be equally
motivated in following your direction.
You
like to be in charge, know everything that is going on and to take control, to
the extent sometimes of being termed a ‘control freak’. You also expect your
instructions to be followed without question so that when a company or
situation is turned around or resolved, you know the credit is all yours.
Other
strong personalities within the organisation can be seen as challenges or
threats.
Mostly
Cs
The inspirational
You
are a powerful force who inspires people to want to follow.
Your
example shines through your organisation, department or team and your sense of
purpose and vision is clear to all. You often inspires the affection of people
who work with you.
However,
you are likely to leave the detail of how to achieve the goal to others within
the organisation – who may feel the vision is all very well, but the detail
prevents them reaching it.
Mostly
Ds
The leader by example
You
are interested in the detail of the organisation and like to consider whether
systems and processes are aligned the right way.
People
see and appreciate that you have a real interest in the nuts and bolts of the
organisation and in ensuring that it works smoothly.
You
run a highly efficient organisation, department or team while remaining low profile.
However, you may tend to equate management with leadership, and consider
systems and processes before considering people. Communication of visions and
goals may either be assumed, or seen as unnecessary or unrealistic.
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