Module 1 – Leadership Introduction

Leadership theories include reflections on personal preferences, gender and culture concepts.

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Introduction

Leadership styles are neither static nor one-dimensional. Style flexing is important, often a result of the context or in response to the individuals being managed - their competency or motivation. Module 1 will address the fundamental concepts of leadership and explore two different leadership styles.

Learning objectives

Personal competencies

  • Recognize personal preferences related to leadership

Skills

  • Enhance the ability to reflect on leadership skills, traits, and styles

Module 1a) What is a Leader?

Introduction

Module 1a covers the fundamental concepts of leadership; definition, traits and why leaders are different than managers. We also challenge the classical concept of leaders being men and born to it.

Reflections

  1. Using the list below in the 'Resources' section, identify 10 traits and qualities that are most important to you.  
  2. Take some time to reflect on the following definition of leadership: “Leadership is a process whereby an individual influence a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.”
  3. Reflect on the difference between leaders and managers and how this applies to your setting.
  4. What do you consider as the three key messages in Module 1a?

Resources

Leadership traits and qualities

Task motivation and application
Supportive of the group task
Social and interpersonal skills
Emotional balance and control
Leadership effectiveness and achievement
Administrative skills
General impression (halo)
Intellectual skills
Ascendance, dominance, decisiveness
Willingness to assume responsibility
Ethical conduct, personal integrity
Maintaining a cohesive work group
Maintaining coordination and team work
Ability to communicate; articulateness
Physical energy
Maintaining standards of performance
Independent
Conforming
Experience and activity
Nurturing behavior
Maintaining informal control of the group
Aloof, distant
Forward-looking
Inspiring
Competent
Intelligent
Fair-minded
Straightforward
Broad-minded
Supportive
Dependable
Cooperative
Courageous
Determined
Caring
Imaginative
Mature, cultured
Ambitious
Loyal
Self-controlled
Technical skills
Social nearness, friendliness
Honest
Creative

Module 1b) Leadership Styles: Transformational leadership

Introduction

Module 1b deals with an important style of contemporary leadership – Transformational Leadership. After defining transformational leadership, you will be presented the rationale for this style of leadership. This will be followed by a description of the core elements, and how these play out in praxis. The last part covers the steps to transformational leadership and concludes with examples of known transformational leaders.

Reflections

  • Reflect upon the relevance of transformational leadership to your work.
  • List the aspects you think makes this leadership style relevant and the aspects that makes it irrelevant to your work.
  • List any leaders you know of who could be characterized as transformational leaders.
  • What do you consider as the three key messages in Module 1b?

Module 1c) Leadership Styles: Servant leadership

Introduction

A servant leader will put the needs of the team and employees first when aiming for growth and development. This is contrary to classical organizational leadership, which usually focuses on increased revenue and business. A servant leader focuses on developing individuals and ensuring they perform at their best. Though an ancient philosophy, it is now becoming an important leadership competency and style, sought after across various institutions and organizations, both public and private. This video will introduce and define the concept of servant leadership and discuss the characteristics and challenges.

Reflections

  • Take time to think about the relevance of servant leadership in your culture.
  • List the aspects you think makes this leadership style relevant and the aspects that make it irrelevant to your work.
  • List any leaders you know of who could be characterized as servant leaders.
  • What do you consider as the three key messages in Module 1c?

Supplemental Conversation

Bernadette Kumar shares her experiences of being a women leader throughout her career with Jeanette H. Magnus. Kumar touches on gender roles and her experiences of being a women leader in diverse cultural settings. She reflects on the challenges she has faced and the importance of being able to acknowledge that, what works in one context may not work for another. Therefore, as a leader you must be able to adapt and reinvent. Most importantly, the ability to look through the lens of others and not only your own is key, which she admits takes time. Although some of the challenges in leadership may be daunting – if you are grounded in your ‘roots’ (core values and traits), then it will be easier to move towards a solution. Being an active listener and learning how to ask rather than to conclude, are leadership-like traits that you will be developed over time and are key to being a productive leader.

 

Continue to Module 2 - Interpersonal Skills

Published Feb. 7, 2022 11:28 AM - Last modified Oct. 31, 2022 3:32 PM