Leadership is an important attribute in individuals such as managers, academic experts, and researchers. The topic of leadership continues to gain popularity and importance in almost all sectors. The way leaders in managerial positions communicate determines their effectiveness and success in achieving high levels of performance and success in their organizations. There are numerous books that provide an insight into effective leadership and communication. One of such books is by Atwater and Waldman (2012). This paper provides a summary, contextual analysis and critique of the book.
The book gives an insight into leadership to boost the understanding of managers regarding open communication and feedback. The elements explained concerning
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5). It also extensively focuses on open communication, which is applicable in numerous fields, including human resource management and organizational behavior, organizational leadership, and organizational communication (Atwater & Waldman, 2012, pp. 62). The book explicitly explains some of the major areas that are usually difficult to or less understood in leadership. For instance, it outlines concepts such as sending and receiving feedback during open communication (Atwater & Waldman, 2012, pp. 14). This is a topic in leadership that is regarded as multifarious and difficult to understand, as it causes exigent dilemmas even at managerial level. The book supports its arguments by citing evidence-based research, case examples, ideas, and practical suggestions. By doing so, it equips current and future leaders with the necessary tools for preventing communication problems and solving leadership dilemmas in their organizations. The book, based on its well supported content and arguments, can be termed as a vital literary work that explains the concept of leadership in many contexts. The book proceeds to support its arguments and suggestions on leadership with evidence drawn from relevant psychological theories (Atwater & Waldman, 2012, pp. 101). The book provides an excellent and well researched review and discussion of the key characteristics of open communication. The characteristics are critical in leadership as managers use them to ensure that all feedback,
In this essay, I am going to discuss how practices of leadership contribute to managing communication in the post bureaucratic era. This essay shall discuss the effectiveness of leadership approaches in the post bureaucratic era in managing communication in organizations. In section 1, I shall discuss leadership in terms of communication by drawing upon the article by Barry B. (2007). In addition, I shall also discuss the use of communication in running an organization in a leader’s desired way (Jack, G., 2004) and the need of contingency approach (Browning, 2007, pg 190) while communicating with employees. In section 2, I shall discuss how management stimulate loyalty in employees through embedding organizational identity (Gagne, J.F.,
A leader must listen to its followers and vice versa. Both Gardner and Wooden in their books provide examples that both ineffective and effective communication can affect a group or organization—for better or worse. However, through positive open communication that is produced from the group can lead to positive and effective improvement (Wooden, 2005, p.198-201; Gardner,1990, p.86) for the work environment and respectability between leader and follower.
In addition, leadership itself can be described in various forms and through the highlight of different skill sets, but the one thing that all definitions have in common is that “leadership involves influencing the attitudes, beliefs, behaviours and feelings of other people” Spector’s work (as cited in Curtis, de Vries, & Sheerin, 2011, p.306). When the skill set of a leader is compared to that of a manager, true differences are noted. Some of these key differences are apparent even in the approach utilized to reach the desired goals. While a manager directs, a leader transforms, a manager sustains and a leader improves, a manager controls, a leader motivates, a manager’s focus is on short-term goals and a leader’s is long-term based, managers ask how and when, while
Communication is one of the most vital components of a business! It is imperative that every business practices good communication within its members. From a managerial perspective, mangers have to make sure they carry out effective communication skills by actively listening to verbal and nonverbal messages. A fundamental strength of great leaders is that they communicate a powerful sense of urgency that mobilizes all troops in pursuit of a brighter and better future (Richardson, 2009). Communication is necessary for all walks of life. It is necessary in the
of academic approaches and experiences. Banks and Ledbetter begin the book by highlighting the growing interest in leadership and the difference between leadership and management. The authors make a point about the issue of values, which is a necessary component when discussing the topic of leadership. Banks and Ledbetter state “the crisis that exists in leadership today
“Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter."
Moreover, it is imperative that you understand the values of leader-follower communication for laying the foundation of any type of successful business. Additionally, without communication, it would simply be impossible to communicate with the various levels and ranks that are involved in any type of business. Consequently, this happens whenever “employees feel that speaking up about issues and problems is futile, or worse yet, dangerous” (Morrison & Milliken, 2000, pg.721). Therefore, it is important for team members to understand about the organization, its culture, its products and services, and its response to any negative issues, thus. they improve their job and continue to serve as representatives to their community, their friends, their
What is communication? What is leadership communication? These are two definitions that will be answered in this paper. You will take an extensive look at how communication from the top of the food chain to the bottom impacts workforce and insight on different communicating qualities utilized by leaders and their effects. Explain why a leader must communicate effectively. Describe positive image and its relationship with effective leadership communication. Describe ethics and its relationship with effective leadership communication, importance of emotional intelligence, and importance of mindfulness
Communication in an organization is significant and its continuous effectiveness is fundamental for the seamless integration of its internal publics into the organization. Communication is a continuous process of exchanging verbal and nonverbal messages. A message must be conveyed through some medium to the recipient. It is essential that this message must be understood by the recipient in same terms as intended by the sender and a response given within a time frame. Thus, communication is a two-way process and is incomplete without a feedback from the recipient to the sender on how well the message is understood by him. Eaton encourages its leaders to develop their communication skills and to help them in that has developed a training program through Eaton University in which all leaders can improve those skills.
It is essential for business leaders to have excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, as leaders are often a symbol of a company’s integrity and this affects not only how customers perceive the company, but also impacts the thoughts and actions of lower positioned employees. For example, a leader that speaks using improper grammar, or writes correspondence with spelling errors throughout it, could project a negative image that can be harmful to a company. Customers might conclude that the leader is incompetent and they might decide that they do not wish to purchase goods from a company that hires inept leaders. Furthermore, employees might become less apt to respect an authority that appears to be uneducated, as well as employees might feel that if the leader disregards using proper communication than it is not necessary for them to use it either. Business leaders need to know when to listen, when to talk, and how to share ideas effectively. Clear and concise communication states exactly how, who, what, and when and serves to guide, direct, protect, persuade, and to inform. Communication is essential for decreasing miscommunications and for increasing productivity, motivation, and efficiency. When someone uses effective communication, he or she is more apt to have favorable results and his or her requests will become granted more often. Furthermore, communication builds goodwill. Having excellent communication skills is
Communication is one if not the most important aspect of any organization. If a leader is not a effective communicator employees will have a hard time understanding the mission or goal of the organization. This will result in high turnover and eventual failure of a business. There are several different types of communication I will be using the two that most reflect me and my experiences.
Good managers, supervisors, and leaders take specific actions to create a climate that is conducive to open and honest communication. In this open communication climate, people feel free to give their input, contributions, and ideas, information is shared freely, conflicts are openly discussed and worked through internally, and people are more willing to express innovative ideas and to take risks. The basis of the open communication climate is trust. The leader establishes an environment of trust within and among all the people in the group. To begin to build or expand trust in your organization and to foster an open communication climate you have to keep your employees informed, provide an open door policy, and encourage employees to share information.
Leadership, like communications, is an exceptionally multifaceted concept that is studied via a plethora of academic disciplines. Researchers have looked at these concepts from different angles. Such disciplines include Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Social Psychology, Business, and Sociology are all among the fields that are consistently adding to the body of work compiled. There is much scientific literature as well as from professional practitioners who all seem to have different theories of leadership and communication Given the range of different viewpoints as well
A key concept leadership must understand is communication. It is important to emphasize the significance of this concept, for within communication lies the success or failure of any form of leadership. Communication must be clear and concise. The basic principles of communication must be understood. Sender, receiver, and message. Leadership, specifically good leadership creates a culture free of reprisal and encourages communication feedback and input. Allowing feedback ensures that all involved understand what is being asked of them. Leadership understands those providing constructive feedback may see a better way. The potential to identify an overlooked issue or potential hazard may be realized during this exchange of information. Leadership must balance feedback, it is leadership who by observable action, and example set the ground rules for the tone and manner of communication and feedback. There are times when things just need to happen, and times when things are open to discussion. Too much discussion can yield the same results as too little. Leadership is possessing and understanding clear communication and listening skills. These concepts are the cornerstones of solid
I have appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to take Communication for Effective Leadership over the last eight weeks. I have learned such valuable information pertaining to effective communication inside and outside of the workplace that will be useful in my future endeavors. This letter is intended as a summary of 3 areas of my own leadership communication development that have been enhanced during the course of this class.