Words: 993
This paper will discuss the concept of leadership skills and the ways in which those unique skills define the exceptional leaders of today. This paper will try to explain which skills are most necessary for a successful leader, and how ones acquire them. The paper will provide a brief plan to one could acquire and or strength these unique skills. The paper will also address to whom to implement these skills to achieve technical superiority by leaders today.
In order to effectively and confront issues and obstacles in ever changing and challenging economic market, leaders must possess a set of basic and unique set of skills. These basic skills who over years of experience and countless studies have proven to be invaluable for a successful leadership. As many studies shown, skills are defined as abilities that can be developed and taught while being demonstrated through performance (Doodads, 2002). Leadership Skills- Term and Concept What types of skills are unique to the successful leader of today? The leader of today is a communicator, a team player.
He or she is effectively utilizing transformational and transactional styles leadership, which allows a wider range of success. Transformational leaders are firm believers in sharing their responsibilities via empowerment, and accountability. They advocate and support their organization goals and coach and support their teams to adapt to change (Curtis & O’Connell, 2011). The effective and efficient leader is a skilled listener and is tuned to his subordinates, values their input and allows them to maintain ownership within their respective environment. Successful adders understand recognition and know how to show it.
In addition, leaders are not only skillful team players but also skilled in providing team goals (Adrenal ; Richey, 2012). Leadership Skills- Basic Foundations As mentioned earlier, strong leaders must retain an array of skills; this paper will focus on most basic three. The basic three skills for a successful leader are Ownership and responsibility, communication, and leading by example. As expected, leaders must have the ability to skillfully delegate the workload, and most importantly understand the importance of follow up. Although delegated to others, the leader still holds the greater responsibility for the tasks and goals results.
At Regions Bank, tellers as well as Financial Specialist are expected to communicate difficulties they encounter while interacting with consumers. After collecting vital information from both tellers and financial specialist, the manager will sit down with the individual and set up a coaching session where he provides a solution to the issues on hand. By listening and interacting with subordinates, Regions Bank managers are able to establish trust, and an open channel of immunization that helps improve associates production and service levels.
Leaders’ ownership has two basic elements: responsibility and identification. As leaders assume responsibility for a project or a task, they are taking full restorability for the task success (Floyd, 1989). The second part of ownership is identification. Identifying with the organization project or goals reflects as pride and accomplishment towards the given assignment. People inherit a sense of ownership and pride when given the ability to identify and possess ownership on their work (Floyd, 1989). The most important skill a leader should possess is the ability to lead by example.
Teaching and coaching subordinates by setting the example is the way leaders achieve loyalty, and buy-in. At Regions Bank, managers are leading the team by setting their goals and self-expectations for all to view and know. Manager at Regions must be skilled communicators, and lead by actively and visibly showing the way for others in the team to follow. As an officer in the Israeli Armed Forces, I was expected to lead the way and coach my team daily. In all Israeli wars, officers have the highest rate of death, since setting example was “follow me” in every military action.
Leadership Skills and Technical Competence Skillful leaders are knowledgeable and experts in their respectful fields. There many reasons to why leaders as well as followers need to possess high levels of technical competence (Hughes, Gannett, & Church, AAA). In order for supervisors to properly appraise and coach their subordinates, they must possess the expertise in the field in question. Leaders cannot provide a solid and productive coaching and guidance if they lack the proper levels of competence in the required field (Hughes, Gannett, & Church, 2009).
The military is a perfect example where technical competency reaches levels of expertise found only in special military training. Many civilian organizations prefer to hire expert veterans that acquired their valuable knowledge through vigorous training and years of on hand experience. On the other hand, it is a known fact that highly competence managers and leaders are targeted for possible promotions. (Hughes, Gannett, & Church, 2009). Leadership Skills- Acquiring perfection At the basic core of acquiring skills lays an essential need for consistent and highly focused training programs.
Well-trained leaders as well as followers are valuable assets for any company within any industry. Companies spend millions of dollars in order to help their staff acquire and then maintain their technical skills and competency. Through consistent training, experience and personal abilities, I was able to achieve high level of technical competency as well as refine my leadership skills. In order to maintain and expend my leadership skills I would focus on working closely with my team. Providing consistent coaching to my team would allow me to improve my communication and leading by example adhering skills.
Teaching and training others, helps create a more stable working environment where subordinates are happy and provide high quality work. I would also empower my team and allow a measure of ownership to help my team identify with the bank’s goals and needs, while enjoying pride and success. These implantation’s would allow me to constantly improve on my skills and refine my expertise.