Nowadays, dozens of different approaches have been developed allowing to achieve effective leadership in an organization. All of them require different leadership qualities and leadership skills. How not to get lost in this variety, and how to choose the best option for yourself?
Let's look at one practical model that has proven its effectiveness in government agencies and charitable organizations in UAE and globally. The model is based on the work of Tom Peters. Kouzes and Posner carried out their research for five years. About a thousand leaders of organizations took part in it, as well as their subordinates. This allowed the authors to establish a causal relationship and find out the reasons for success and the effective leadership needed for effective leadership development.
The study addresses a series of questions for leaders and followers:
- What is needed for effective leadership (skills, qualities) to achieve your goals?
- What is needed for followers, to ensure effective interaction between the leader and his followers?
According to the results of the study, it was established that a number of factors underline the effective interaction of a leader and subordinates. Based on these studies, five effective leadership techniques have been developed. These techniques and practices can be used depending on the specific conditions in which the organization is located and its goals. It should be noted that these practices are universal and have already proved their effectiveness in practice. They are especially relevant in the UAE, due to the peculiarities of this jurisdiction.
According to the original concept of Kouzes and Posner, the main factors for success are the vision, the ability to engage others and perseverance. Leaders inspire, challenge development and model teamwork. The authors of the model also established a set of key practices that allow one to develop the necessary qualities and skills. They enable to find out the current level of competence in the community practice, as well as those areas that require development in order to maximize work efficiency.
Kouzes and Posner call these techniques practices, which implies the manifestation of these qualities only in practice.
1. Continuous progress
On the one hand, upheavals and difficulties are bad for a company, because the usual rhythm and mode of operation are disrupted, and on the other, it is an opportunity to see hidden problems and significantly improve work efficiency. Leaders and subordinates learn from mistakes and difficulties and gain invaluable experience that will help to endure difficulties and upheavals in the future. Any process, anything can be improved in one way or another. Challenge the usual things and processes, and sooner or later you will achieve success. In no case you should be satisfied with the usual order of things, since progress does not stand still, and if a company does not adapt to the changing situation, it will eventually lose its competitiveness and will die as a result.
Here are the practices that will help the leader:
- Always look for new opportunities for improvement (growth, expansion, innovative methods and practices).
- Do not be afraid to experiment, do not be afraid to take risks, and encourage others to do so. Only in this way can you really improve something and, accordingly, gain a competitive advantage.
Analyze your current situation properly and think about what has to be improved, even if this component is currently functioning well. It will also be useful to discuss innovations in your team so that everyone understands what will be changed and how this process will take place.
2. Inspiration
It is commonly known that not fear of punishment, and anticipation of reward, but ideas are more likely to be the motives for the actions of people. The followers are inspired by the ideas of the leader and therefore work more efficiently and purposefully. Here it is important to convey the idea to the followers correctly and in detail. A really good leader can inspire others and charge them with enthusiasm. Each of team members should feel that he/she is the part of a common structure and is aimed at a common goal.
A leader must create an image of the future of the company and convey in detail the image to subordinates. It is the understanding by all members of the team of a common goal and mission that will allow getting the most out of all, as a result, to achieve the desired result in the shortest possible time.
3. Provide freedom to subordinates
Surely, a charismatic and active leader is an important component of the company's success and the basis of effective leadership, but in no case should the efforts and importance of the contribution of others be leveled — professionals of all fields and ordinary performers. It is very important to drive your employees into a rigid framework and not limit their freedom of action. So they will be able to reach their full potential and implement their ideas within the framework of a common goal. The encouragement and motivation of staff is an important aspect, and which should not be forgotten by a leader. The ability to motivate staff is one of the most important major leadership traits. It is important to pay attention to the following things:
- Teambuilding and the establishment of trust and proper teamwork.
- Delegate authority, and responsibility to others. This will remove some of the burden from you and allow your employees to show themselves, strengthening their commitment to the company.
Every member of your team should be able to take the initiative and show themselves.
4. Model the result and the path to it.
Planning and modeling involves creating the appearance of the final result and the path to it. Your people need to understand and imagine the ultimate goal and the path to it before you start doing something to achieve them.
People will act just like their leaders. A good leader should be able to set an example and demonstrate to subordinates how to behave correctly, demonstrate their values and ideals. On the path to overall success, it is important to celebrate intermediate victories to encourage your people to further achievements.
5. Encourage people
According to Kouzes and Pozner, people work as efficiently as possible when they are passionate about their work. A good leader can unleash the enthusiasm of his people. Praise and reward are capable of great motivation for further work, so do not forget about them. A really good leader can:
- See and recognize the contribution of each and every member of the team to the success of the project.
- Constantly celebrate the achievements of each and every and do it in new ways.
For the development of effective leadership, it is important to identify your best leadership qualities, it is important to be attentive and monitor the coherence of your team’s work, clearly outline the vision of the goal and convey this vision to your followers, encouragement, and motivation are the basis of the practice of Kouzes and Posner.