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Effective leadership not only drives growth but also influences the work culture and productivity.
In this article, we will delve into the impact and importance of effective leadership in organisations, the development of leadership skills, and the role of leadership in achieving organisational goals.
The human touch in organisational success
Despite the rapid progress being made in technology by leaps and bounds, it is becoming increasingly evident that organisations cannot attain high levels of consistent performance and value creation by the use of technology alone.
The critical part played by “the person behind the machine” cannot be fully matched by robots or artificially intelligent machines. The irreplaceable role played by the human element is what distinguishes a “good” organisation from one that becomes truly “great.”
A lot of emphasis is put on “Management” in the corporate environment. For an employee, an MBA degree is often considered a sure-fire route to corporate success.
The triad of Time, Money, and Quality
If we look at Management from a high level view, it basically consists of controlling two out of three parameters – Time, Quality, and Money.
If you work at optimising two of these, the third usually suffers. If you want to produce high quality in less time, then you will need more money. If you reduce expenditure and aim for high quality, then you will need lots of time. Reduce expenditure and do the work in less time, then the quality will suffer.
It is extremely challenging and rare to be able to get all three parameters to the best possible level altogether. Almost no organisation achieves that superlative level of management.
It is widely acknowledged that “people” is the fourth parameter that is critical to business success. But then, management does not appear to be working on that aspect at all! We have Time, Quality, and Money. So where are “people”?
That is where “Leadership” comes in. Knowledge of management is essential to business success. That is undeniable. The ability to Lead people is crucial for transforming from a mediocre organisation to a great organisation.
What makes a good leader in an organisational setting?
A good leader sets a clear vision, establishes realistic goals, and strategically guides their team in the right direction.
Leadership is not something which is essential to only the “top honcho”, the “C-Suite”, or the owners of the business. Leadership has to be a culture in the organisation.
Leadership is to be practised every day, all day, at the workplace by everyone in the organisation. It is the consistent, small acts of leadership that lead to the big results.
Several thinkers have defined leadership, and here are two definitions that stand out:
- Leadership is the ability to influence people without authority.
- Leadership is the art of getting people to want to do things that you plan to get done.
A leader does not wait to be announced as a “leader” before demonstrating leadership. The leader leads by habit at every possible opportunity.
A leader does not wait to be formally granted authority over someone else before exerting influence. The leader influences others in subtle ways, even without being formally “in charge”.
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Leadership in organisations
Leadership is not about having a large following, but leading even in a group of two or three individuals.
A leader does not make the followers feel lost without the leader. The leader makes the team feel that they have achieved success on their own. The leader gives credit for success to the team. The leader takes responsibility for any failures and does not blame the team.
These, and hundreds of other small important steps, go to make a true leader. It is not necessary for a leader to be always spectacular, loud, prominent, or have a large following.
Start small, with groups of two or three if required. And if everyone in an organisation develops this habit, the productivity of the organisation as a whole will see huge increments in relatively short periods of time.
There is one important point one must never forget – To be a good leader, you must also be a good follower.
Think that over, as you develop the leadership habit in your organisation.
The five top skills required to be a great leader are:
- Personal growth
- Team development
- Strategic thinking and implementation
- Ethical conduct and community engagement
- Creativity and forward-thinking
Having these leadership skills can give you a competitive edge when applying for a top managerial position.
Leadership development programs for organisational growth
US businesses spend $166 billion on leadership development each year — nearly half of the $366 billion that’s spent globally.
Organisations invest in leadership development programs to cultivate great leaders who can steer the company toward success. These programs focus on honing leadership skills, fostering a culture of innovation, and empowering individuals to take on leadership positions within the organisation. Through such programs, new opportunities are identified, and potential leaders are groomed to assume crucial roles in the company’s growth trajectory.
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Conclusion:
In summary, leadership is crucial for organisational success, going beyond traditional management. It creates a culture that influences, inspires, and empowers individuals at all levels. Recognising the importance of the human element, leadership transforms a good organisation into a truly great one.
Cultivating a leadership culture helps organisations navigate complexities, ensuring sustained success, and unlocking their teams’ full potential.
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Credits:
Col Bharat Haladi
