CTSO 1 - Leadership [LESSON]

How to be an Effective Leader

Any organization needs both leadership and management. 'Doing the right thing' and 'doing things right' are a quick summary of the difference. Doing the right thing implies a sense of vision and purpose – where are we going, what are we aiming for, and why. Doing it right suggests efficiency and effectiveness: the how and the what questions of process and method.

The vision may be something unattainable or at least very long-term. So what does it mean in reality? Breaking it down into aims or goals helps as long as they remain visionary in the sense of inspiring and exciting.

A vision needs values and support. What is important to the organization in how it works out its vision? What will it do and what will it resist? A vision realized at any cost, in any way, is not good enough for most organizations. So honesty, integrity, equality, partnership, accountability, and responsibility often emerge as values. The values dictate how the vision is worked out through its mission.

Mission is the purpose and to some extent the approach of the organization, what it's all about generally rather than in detail. The organization structure tends to follow the mission and therefore as that changes, so will the structure.

Strategy is the long-term plan of action to meet the aims of the organization identified in its mission to achieve its vision underpinned by organizational values. Strategic management is then how to implement the plan of action most effectively – doing things right. Strategic management is longer term or at a higher level than day-to-day or operational management. It is essential for an organization to prosper and for people to flourish in the workplace that management is effective both at operational and strategic levels. Both are necessary in the same way that we need to see at near and far distances.

An alternative although similar summary of leadership from 3D HR is to be ACE:

• Articulate the vision – help people know why, what, and how to deliver
• Challenge what is done and how it is done – create a learning organization
• Encourage, empower, and enable – develop team working and personal development

Leadership is not confined to the Chief Executive of the organization. An effective leader will encourage leadership at all levels of the organization so that managers become team leaders within their sphere of influence and exhibit the traits of good leadership.