It is not enough to just have a vision. Lots of people see things that should be done, things that should be fixed, great step forward that could be taken. What makes leaders different is that they act. They take the steps to achieve their vision.
Is it a passion for the idea, an inner sense of drive, or some sense of commitment? Whatever it is, it is the strength that lets leaders move their vision forward despite all the obstacles, despite all the people saying it can't be done, it's too costly, we tried that before, or a dozen other excuses. The true leader perseveres and moves forward.
Trait and Skills a Leader Must Have
There are things that set leaders apart from other people. Some people are born with these characteristics. Others develop them as they improve as leaders. These are not magic bullets. They are things you can do and be if you want to be a leader.
Traits of a Leader
There are as many traits of a leader as there ae lists of what makes a leader. Here are the fundamental traits of a leader from my perspective:
· Has integrity. People have to believe that you are pursuing your dream because it's the right thing to do, not just because you are ego driven.
· Is a people person. Understands the differences that make people unique and is able to use those individual skills to achieve the goal.
· Is positive. A leader encourages and rewards people and makes you want to do it and do it right. A leader is not a negative person and doesn't waste time and effort tellng everyone what they're doing wrong.
Leadership Skills
Beyond the personal traits of a leader, there are specific skills someone must master if they want to be a leader.
· Effective communication - it's more than just being able to speak and write. A leader's communication must move people to work toward the goal the leader has chosen.
· Motivation - a leader has to be able to motivate everyone to contribute. Each of us has different "buttons". A leader knows how to push the right buttons on everyone to make them really want to do their best to achieve the leader's goal.
· Planning - the leader has a plan to achieve the goal. He/she doesn't get too bogged down in the details, that's what managers are for, but rather uses a high level plan to keep everyone moving together toward the goal.
Bottom Line
Leaders dream dreams. They refuse to let anyone or anything get in the way of achieving those dreams. They are realistic, but unrelenting. They are polite, but insistent. The constantly and consistently drive forward toward their goal. You can be a leader. You will be - when it matters enough to you.
III Developing background knowledge (B1/B2/C1)
- F. John Reh argues that ‘ people don’t work for companies. They work for their supervisor. They aren’t loyal to a company. They are loyal to their boss. If you want to be a successful manager, or a successful leader, ask yourself “Why should anyone let you lead them?” ’ (from the article by F. John Reh Why Should Anyone Work For You?). Give a talk supporting or opposing this idea.
- Leadership is often explained by using these terms:
- A philosophy, as a broad, general belief or set of beliefs. For example, many describe "servant leadership" as a philosophy or practice.
- A theory, as a suggestion or speculation about why something is occurring and it might be based on a variety of philosophies, i.e., "when this happens, then the following happens" or "in this situation, the following is best to have or to do." For example, the traits theory suggests that certain features are needed in someone to be a great leader.
- A model, as a description of how something happens or should happen, often a depiction of a certain theory. For example, the Situational Leadership Model (Blanchard and Hershey) depicts a situational theory of leadership, and depicts when to tell, sell, participate or delegate.
- A style, as a nature of how someone acts when enacting a certain theory or model, e.g., to be autocratic, participative or laissez-fair (hands off) in leadership style (from All About Leadership by Carter McNamara).
Find the names and brief descriptions of some philosophies, theories, models and styles describing different aspects of leadership.
3. Give a talk on:
a) psychological aspects of leadership
b) communicative aspects of leadership
IV Exchanging views and ideas (B1/B2/C1)
1. Group work. Organize a brainstorming session and find out if there is any difference between the notions leader and boss.
2. Comment on the following:
‘ The difference between being a manager and being a leader is simple. Management is a career. Leadership is a calling. You don't have to be tall, well-spoken and good looking to be a successful leader. You don't have to have that "special something" to fulfill the leadership role.
What you have to have is clearly defined convictions - and, more importantly, the courage of your convictions to see them manifest into reality. Only when you understand your role as guide and steward based on your own most deeply held truths can you move from manager to leader’. (from the article by Leslie L. Kossoff From Manager to Leader)
3. Give an example of a good leader (from any source: mass media, experience, fiction).
V Summarizing the topic (B1/B2/C1)
1. Prepare a power point presentation about Bill Gates, pointing out his qualities of a leader (See Unit 5).
2. Give a talk on a political leader of some English-speaking country.
VI Project work (B1/B2/C1)
1. Work out a list of questions (a questionnaire) on qualities of a leader and conduct a research among your group-mates. Choose a particular quality of a leader and study its presence in your group-mates. Choose a particular form of the research: face-to-face interaction or mediated interaction. Report the results of your research bearing in mind the research ethics: use codes instead of names and generalize.
2. Write an essay on one of the following topics:
1) Leadership means responsibility.
2) You should not be a leader to be successful in this job/position.
3) The qualities I would like to develop.
4) Leadership is a calling.
B PRACTISING SKILLS
TEXT 1 (B2)
Put the word(s) in brackets in the right form.