Analyses of Two Articles Concerning Leadership Shortcomings and Redefining Leadership - Essay Example

?Article summary and reflection The concept of value has undergone major shifts from the 20th to the 21st century (Hester). Postmodernism and political correctness has made the concept of value blurred. As a result of this, the term value has become increasingly broad and subjective in meaning. This necessitates development of a substantial defense for a specific moral value before it can be used as a basis for ethically-based leadership. Good character is the test of leadership based on values. In order to improve the quality of leadership in the 21st century, there is need to explore in much detail what constitutes character and more specifically, good character. The importance of finding answer to this question is just as, if not more, important than trying to establish and enforce civility and ethics in the workplace. Defining values that support leadership is an ongoing process and requires critical insight and effort on our part. The task of a leader is to establish excellence rather than commanding it. An organization’s mission should be based on our values and beliefs rather than alteration of our values and beliefs because of the mission of organization. Character lays the basis of leadership. Character reflects in a leader’s courage to make decisions from this perspective. Organizations acquire stability from our values. Our purpose must be stable so that we are better able to deal with the unstable environment. Our moral values enable us to always display responsible performance. Performance responsibility exists in people’s moral values, dignity, and ethics obtained from them. Values discussed in the article include openness, equality, liberty, respect for others, self-reliance, and responsibility of behavior. Openness has become a norm in our society. Openness implies that we are self-sufficient and do not need others which in effect paradoxically leads us to a closing end. Despite the immense emphasis placed on the sustenance and enforcement of these values in the American society, these values fail to lay an adequate explanation of the conflict between individualism and collectivism. Nevertheless, the collective nature of ethical value is still promoted by the democratic ideal since it highlights the concerns for others more than the concerns for us. I consent with the author that establishment of excellence is even more important for a leader than commanding excellence. When a leader commands excellence rather than establishing it, he/she might be successful in achieving his/her objectives, but a holistic change that incorporates effective leadership skills in everybody down the line cannot be made unless excellence is established. I also consent with the author that organization’s mission should be driven by the society’s morals and values. This is fundamental to the preservation of our culture, trends, and tradition and for an organization to function ethically in the society. In my personal practice, I see myself as a transformational leader who intends to inculcate the desire, urge, and motivation to bring about a positive change in the followers rather than telling them what to do all the time. I am a strong believer in every individual’s creative abilities and I believe that given the appropriate chance, everybody is able to contribute to the development of a positive change in the society. This responsibility fundamentally rests with the leader because to a large extent, the way followers behave and approach a matter is depicted by the style of leadership adopted by the leader. I do acknowledge that there is confusion about values. Particularly in an age where our society has become more multicultural than ever before, values are bound to differ. So in my career when I am caught in a situation where values contrast, I as a leader would see which values promise the achievement of the most desirable and beneficial results. I shall give society’s well-being as a whole priority over the well-being of the society because this would enable me to align the interests of the organization with the interest of the society. Despite the blurring of the concept of value under the influence of postmodernism and political correctness, the basic humanity and human conscience is the biggest factor that helps us differentiate between good and bad in all times and situations. Article summary and reflection There is immense deficit of effective leadership in the contemporary organizations which reflects generally through dissatisfaction of the organizational personnel with the management and leadership under which they work. Over the years, the level of job satisfaction of the American workers has declined (Eich). Development of leadership has become a major challenge today. A real leader is someone who has formal or informal decision-making capacity. Lack of micromanagement, possession of a central compass, effective communication, harboring of a distinct composition, provision of value and support, recognition of the right time to be absent, approachability, and remarkable level of incisiveness are eight essentials of effective leadership. Leadership means living one’s ideals in the social, private, and professional life, passing these ideals over to the peers, getting them transferred to the subsequent generations, as well as motivating the people around one. A leader is someone who is able to inculcate motivation in others to do more and learn more. Effective leaders need to emphasize upon the need to change with the changing circumstances while preserving the core values on which the organization is based. Effective leaders convey their values to others and create harmony between their personal vision and the culture of the organization. Real leaders do not seek attention and praise and instead work selflessly and display a value-based leadership. Real leaders help others enhance their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. Values discussed in the article include fair treatment, honesty, compassion, establishment and maintenance of principles, and faithful devotion. Effective leaders treat everyone in a fair manner. They are honest in their speeches and approaches and show a high level of compassion. Establishment and maintenance of principles in all kinds of circumstances is extremely important for one to prove an effective leader. Effective leaders believe in the individualistic and collective competences and strengths of the human resources in the company so that their talents are utilized and benefited from in the way of achievement of the organizational goals. Business entities discussed in the article include Howard S. Howdy Holmes, Harold S. Edwards, Howard Howie, and Mary Wennes. This article provides a detailed insight into what constitutes effective leadership and what shortcomings are commonly observed in the leaders today that makes their leadership ineffective. Eich has discussed the leadership styles, skills, and competences of several business entities which provided me with a unique opportunity to learn from their leadership styles and implement them in my own career. In my practice, I would try to bring a positive change in others’ beliefs and perceptions because I believe that people work according to their minds. Therefore, changing their minds is fundamental to making them think about things in the right way. I would consult employees while making decisions as a leader. I think that honesty and compassion come with devotion. I shall be devoted to achieving my goals in all kinds of settings and this devotion would automatically make me honest and compassionate in my work. On the other hand, establishment and maintenance of principles serves as a catalyst. It helps one ensure that one’s values are never compromised upon which in turn helps one make informed and right decisions in the situation at hand. So I would establish and maintain the principles of leadership that I have learnt from the case studies of effective leaders in this article. Works Cited: Eich, Ritch K. “Leadership shortcomings: a value deficit.” Journal of Values-Based Leadership. Vol. 5. Issue 2. pp. 36-40. Hester, Joseph P. “Value shifts: redefining “leadership” a narrative.” Journal of Values-Based Leadership. Vol. 5. Issue 2. pp. 11-24. 2012. Read More