I want to be a manager when I grow up Essay

Effective leaders opt to implement a specific type of leadership style as a result of their personalities and job experiences, and apply it to their organizational structure. However, that particular type of leadership style a leader utilizes may not apply to every job situation (Peak et al., 2010). In order to be an effective leader, an individual must acquire the three basic leadership skills and they are as follows: (1) human relations; (2) conceptual skills; and (3) technical skills (Haberfeld, 2013). Additionally, a skillful leader must also be proficient in motivating, communicating, and problem solving (Hess & Orthmann, 2012).

This paper will discuss the topic of Leadership and both explore, as well as explain, it’s applicability in today’s work environment. The basis for discussion will be centered on the material provided during instruction of Management 371 and the personal LSA Journal entries of John Brennan. Additionally, there are three referenced articles that further explain and highlight the topic of Leadership. Throughout this paper, Leadership and the traits that make up a great leader will be explained.

Leadership is a very broad topic; I never knew just how many different traits and skills that it takes to become an effective leader. Some of which I was familiar with, and others that I was not aware of, but now from taking this course, they all seem to be necessary for the role of leadership. The attached paper, will explain of some of the important theories and concepts that I thought were most important to be able to become and effective leader.

Leadership at times can be a complex topic to delve into and may appear to be a simple and graspable concept for a certain few. Leadership skills are not simply acquired through position, seniority, pay scale, or the amount of titles an individual holds but is a characteristic acquired or is an innate trait for the fortunate few who possess it. Leadership can be misconstrued with management; a manager “manages” the daily operations of a company’s work while a leader envisions, influences, and empowers the individuals around them.

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

Steven Kerr’s article highlighted the multitude of problems associated with organizations and their faulty reward systems or incentives that are set up to accomplish one then, yet motivate people to do another. Kerr simply states: “Managers who complain about lack of motivation in their workers might do well to consider the possibility that the reward systems they have installed are paying off for behavior other than what they are seeking.” While Kerr gives a myriad of examples to illustrate this issue, I’d like to specifically focus in depth on two of them.

An effective leader must have a plan for success. This includes a personal plan of growth as well as a professional plan for improvement. This paper will attempt to highlight my personal strengths and weaknesses as leader, identify the areas needed for improvement, and identify the leadership skills and practices that I will use to become an effective leader. This paper will also give an outline of the goals that I consider a priority and a timeline for this development. The overall result will be an inclusive leadership plan of development that I will use to grow myself as well as any organization that I work for in the future.

The implication of financial rewards are fairly debatable and have gained significant attention through numerous publications. The sizeable influence of this subject has generated major controversy over the potential impact of this trend. Over the decade, many scholars have discussed this phenomenon while citing credible sources.Therefore, I consummately accord with this statement that rewarding an individual for his service is both encouraging and motivating for others. Additionally, employees could also include group rewards such as dinners and holidays.

A manager is a person who supervises the work of others so that the assigned goals and targets are achieved in the most effective, efficient, and well-organized fashion (Daft 2011). A manager makes decisions for his organization, organizes, motivates, and leads its human resource, and controls its business affairs so as to achieve efficiency and superior operational performance. All the functions and responsibilities of a manager overlap each other at all the managerial levels within an organization (Basefsky, Maxwell, Post, & Turner 2004). Leadership is one of the core functions of a manager. This leadership function essentially requires the leader to be specialized in all other management functions in order to lead his followers effectively and efficiently (Leatherman 2008). Therefore, it is strongly believed that a person must have to be a good manager in order to become an effective leader. This paper critically examines this statement in the light of relevant literature; including books, research papers, and journal articles.

This paper will incorporate four of the self-assessment I completed (Leadership, 2004). They are as follows; social motives in the work setting, my leadership styles, emotional intelligence, and team excellence. I will also identify and discuss my leadership characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. We must first understand what leadership means. To lead, nonetheless, is to excite, to impact, and to inspire. Successful leaders move others to draw in incredibleness, to stretch out themselves and to go past their perform work necessities by producing innovative thoughts. It has been said that directors are individuals who do things right and leaders are individuals who make the best choice." This refinement is to some degree exaggerated since successful leaders do a considerable measure of overseeing and compelling chiefs need to lead.

An effective manager possesses good qualities such as sharing a vision, teamwork, communication, passion and compassion towards the business and to the workers. (Source 7)

Management involves the tactical aspect of day to day functions and who keeps control of the work environment to make sure the organization is moving forward and in the same direction of the company’s vision. Managers are faced with many responsibilities each day, one of which is managing people. The goal of a successful manager is to achieve the highest productivity of the organization by way of the people he/she manages. A manager is more of a problem solver and takes care of work areas relating to people management, time management, decision making etc.

Many people believe they can either be a good or great manager. The actual reality to this is some people are actually not fit to be a manager either because they do not know what to do or because they do not know how to handle themselves. Throughout this paper, management styles will be discussed, and the qualities of a good manager.

It is important for the manager to be supportive of an employee and be available for any questions or suggestions the employee may have. Family and work conflicts are also implied here. It is important a manager to be respectful and trust their employees. It shows the character of a manager to admit when he or she is wrong and apologizes. An employee will respect the manager

Effective management is the key to retaining good employees long-term, which not only make a business run more smoothly, but also cuts costs. This is because new employees often require extensive training before they become fully productive members of the company.