Leadership

Leadership

Introduction:

There is a common belief among most managers requiring the employees to “do as they say and not as they do” (McLoughlin, 2004). If implemented, it brings about loss of motivation in the work place. The best manager is one who leads by example. They take the responsibility of leading the way for others to follow, rather than giving instructions from the roadside and watching while they are being implemented. Being an example to the other members of staff earns the manager respect, and puts him in a position of interacting closely with the workers thus being in a position to know their different personalities.

Discussion:

Listening and upholding honesty are the two most important attributes in a leader. A good leader listens and this attribute encourages the employees to listen to them in return. A common biblical saying, which states that you do unto others what you expect them to do unto you, is what leaders should adhere to. “Listening and responding appropriately are the best forms of communication, as opposed to just giving orders” (Harvard Business School, 2007).

The other attribute of a manager who is a leader is honesty. The environment of honesty does not exist automatically. It is created since most people are naturally inclined to telling lies. A manager who is always lying and giving excuses should not expect anything less than that from his employees. The truth should therefore be emphasized and any form of dishonesty should not be tolerated.

Conclusion:

The best way for a manager to enforce this is to be an example. “Not all managers are leaders, but any good leader can be a manager” (Bertocci, 2009). This means that before a person takes the managerial role, they should first learn leadership skills. A good leader will always be in the field when the game is on.

References:

Bertocci, D. I. (2009). Leadership in organizations: There is a difference between leaders and managers. Lanham, Md: University Press of America

Harvard Business School. (2007). Leading by example. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press.

McLoughlin, P. J. (2004). How to lead by example: A practical guide to leadership: what to and not to do. Henley Beach, S. Aust: Seaview Press.

.