A manager for directing the people working under him, has to be a leader. When a manager is a leader, he is in a position to lead subordinates and also inspire them to accomplish the objectives of the enterprise. A good manager motivates his subordinates, achieves maximum co-operation and also co-ordinates the activities of the employees. A leader may or may not be a manager but a manager must be a leader.
Definitions
1. Louis Allen: “A leader is one who guides and directs other people. A leader gives the efforts of his followers a direction and purpose by influencing their behaviour.”
2. Koontz and O’Donnell: “leadership is the ability of a manager to induce subordinate to work with zeal and confidence”
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3. Alford and Beatty: “Leadership is the ability to secure desirable actions from a group of followers voluntarily without the use of coercion or force”.
Characteristics of Leadership
1. Leadership is the process of influence exercised by the leader on members of a group.
2. Leadership presupposes the existence of a group of followers.
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3. Leadership is a personal quality of an executive who imaginatively directs, guides and influences the work of others in attracting specified goals.
4. Leadership style may differ form situation to situation.
5. A good leader acts as a representative of his group.
6. Leadership is the ability to persuade others and motivate them to work for achieving certain goals.
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Function of leadership
1. Leading the group.
2. Guiding and motivating subordinates.
3. Understanding subordinates and securing their co-operation.
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4. Establishing community interests.
5. Developing team spirit.
6. Representing the undertaking.
7. Justifying actions.
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8. Building confidence.