Importance of leadership in organizations

In many organizations, persons who are in charge of the management positions usually ascend to that position. Since they are relatives of the owners. As well as also in the policy is apply this type of practices. For this reason, is not even accept the idea of that managerial positions should be grant on the basis of merit and not by birth.

Stage #1

The first studies on leadership were focus to find psychological traits inherent in effective leaders; characteristics such as intelligence, will, sociability and conditions of authority were the most accept.

Stage #2

A second stage in the study of leadership are the theories of the double factor (studying the behavior of the leader). These theories are core variable authoritarianism-democracy, define as the degree of involvement. That the Chief gives to his subordinates in the search of alternatives and decisions. Studies of Elton Mayo (he already spoke for his "experiments Hawthorne" in this same corner). Were fundamental to this current and gave rise to a large number of investigations.

History

In the Decade of the 60's, the scientific and technical revolution brought a twist deep in the world of the direction. As workers a higher level of knowledge and skills require to manage new technologies.

In addition, the new industry demand that leader develop new attributes above all orient towards human resources, such as motivation, delegation of authority, etc. Calling this style of leadership Situational leadership, which as the name mentions it takes the situation as an additional element to influence the effectiveness of the leadership.

Importance of leadership

Organizations depend on, to grow and endure the leadership of its leaders and this is true for those with nonprofit and which not. Since the organizations depend on the leader, we need to see which aspects of this are important. A good leader must meet four conditions; commitment to the mission, vision, confidence in himself and personal integrity. But the leader must not only comply with these conditions, also must comply with certain virtues which are going to lead in making good decisions.

Communication plays a very important role because it allows to transmit what is within us as we're sorry. And integration enables efficient actions together, and no disconnections. Basically the leadership consists of a way of being, because the leader is forming every day: passion by the mission, in action and in fundamental values.

In addition, a leader not only must delegate responsibilities but must expand the power to others, be humble and be consider replaceable. So we can define leadership as a process of interaction between people in which one of them leads, through his personal influence and power, energy, potential and activities of a group, to achieve a goal in common in order to transform both the company as the people that work in it.

In short, the leadership is important since it is vital for the survival of any organization. It is important, as the ability of a Manager to guide and direct. An organization can have proper planning, control etc and do not survive to the lack of a proper leader, even the organization may lack of planning and control, but, having a good leader can succeed.

The leadership styles.

Is the task of every leader enforce the goals according to the way in which leads itself to achieve them. The leaders have shown many different approaches as regards as comply with their responsibilities in relation to his followers. Styles vary according to duties that a leader should play. There are three basic styles: authoritarian leader, the participatory leader and liberal leader.

The autocratic leader assumes the responsibility for decision-making, initiating actions and directing; motivates and controls the subordinate. However, it is consider that only he is capable. The leading participatory, uses the query, without delegating the right to make final decisions and designates specific guidelines to his subordinates but referring to ideas and opinions.

Finally, the leading liberal, delegates the authority to make decisions to his subordinates, waits for the subordinates to take responsibility for his own motivation, guidance and control.

Theories of leadership.

We can say that the leadership takes two forms: 1) formal leadership, which is carrying persons appoint or elect to positions of formal authority within organizations, and 2) informal leadership, which people exercise to have influence since they possess special skills that meet the needs of other resources. For this reason, there are several theories that help us to identify the type of leadership.

Brings leadership in the following way:

A) the theory of traits and behavioral perspectives; (B) perspectives situational or contingent; and (C) new perspectives on leadership.:

• The theory of the traits supposes that there are features that play a central role in the differentiation between persons. Who are leaders and which are not. Subsequent studies examine differences and predictions of results for the features. But for various reasons these studies did not succeed enough to provide consistent results. More recent studies identify different qualities possessing the leaders. Such as tolerance to stress, motivate by power, emotional maturity, self-confidence, integrity, among others. Behaviorist theory is base on the behavior of the leader.


• The situational perspective or contingent recognize that traits and behaviors of the leader can act jointly with situational contingencies. Since according to the situation in which to unfold the leader will need to have more marking some trait or behavior, his way of being will depend on the situation in which it is found.


• New leadership perspectives develop by Bernard Bass (1990), focuses on transaction leadership and transformation leadership . The transformation approach, has four dimensions, with charisma, inspiration, intellectual stimulation individualize consideration. Charisma provides vision and sense of mission, inspires pride, as well as respect and trust of the follower. One of the features of this approach is that it regards the worker as an individual right and able to develop, and that it can lift you their needs and values, as well as increase awareness of what is important. It is increasing its maturity and motivation so that go beyond their own interests, but the Group and society.

The Model

In the model of leadership transaction leader guarantee goals if the expect results are achieve. Exchange awards for efforts made by its employees, which has much impact on people either a bonus or a recognition, this motivate to continue to do the things well.

Transaction leadership seeks to maintain stability, instead of promoting change in an organization through economic and social exchanges that are achieve specific objectives for both leaders and followers.

It tends to be transient, since, once the negotiation, the party’s relationship ends or is redefine. Seeks to meet the individual needs of the followers as reward for performing a certain operation.

Conclusions.

As you can see all the theories they have strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. Many of these theories have been apply for a long time. Others are relatively new, companies should take the leadership process base on the theory that more suits your needs.

Possibly the kind of leadership that applies more to the circumstances is the Situational leadership model. Because it adapts to the situation to which they must respond. Even the leader can leave group that directs. So this model has arouse great interest since recommends a kind of dynamic and flexible leadership. Instead of a static one. If style is right, it will not only motivate employees. But that it will also serve to their professional development.

Therefore, the leader who wants to educate their followers, increase their confidence and help them learn their work will have to go constantly changing style.