About LeadershipAbout Leadership

“An organization bereft of leadership will accomplish little.”

“ Excellent leaders can motivate people to achieve more than they would on their own.”

“Strong leadership makes an organization more effective.”

What is leadership?What is leadership?

Leadership – the process of personal influence over others

What is supervision?Supervision – the day-to-day oversight and

control of another’s activities

Personal Characteristics Personal Characteristics found in Strong Leaders:found in Strong Leaders:

Self-Confidence. Leaders believe in themselves and inspire confidence in others.

Initiative. Leaders are self-starters who take charge and welcome change.

High Energy. Leaders are industrious and enthusiastic.

Creativity. Leaders approach problems in new ways; they are imaginative and innovative.

Maturity. Leaders are self-deprecating and generous in their relationships with others.

Managerial Skills found in Managerial Skills found in Strong Leaders:Strong Leaders:

Good Problem Solvers. Leaders have the ability to formulate and implement solutions.

Good Interpersonal Skills. Leaders know how to treat people and establish working relationships (not necessarily friendships).

Good Communicators. Leaders have both oral and written skills that stand out. They provide accurate, clear, concise, and timely info.

Highly Persuasive. Leaders get things done through respect and admiration, not coercion or threats.

Leadership StylesLeadership Styles

Transactional Leaders Are ‘task oriented’—the most important concern

is getting the job done Focus on the short-term and are reactionary Transformational Leaders Are ‘charismatic’—adept at getting followers to

perform at levels beyond their expectations Focus on the long-term and are proactive

(visionary)

Behaviors of Behaviors of Transformational LeadersTransformational Leaders

Are able to articulate a clear, common, and compelling vision to followers

Are able to foster group goals over personal goals

Are a strong role model to their followersGive individual care and support to their

followers

Caveats:Caveats:

No single leadership style is best.See Figure 11-2. Younger, inexperienced

workers tend to need more task-oriented leadership.

Older, veteran reps tend to need more transformational leadership.

About SupervisionAbout Supervision

Employee performance is related to the amount and quality of supervision.

Without proper supervision, many reps may eventually be fired or quit.

Knowing that your supervisor is concerned and keeping an eye on you can improve your morale.

New reps with little experience and straight salary reps generally need more supervision.

Information/communication technologies are reducing the need for personal supervision.

Ways to Achieve Closer Ways to Achieve Closer Supervision:Supervision:

Maintain personal contact with the rep. Have the rep turn in sales reports or call plans. Maintain frequent telecommunications – faxes,

phone calls, e-mails– with rep. Distribute printed materials – manuals, newsletters,

bulletins, etc. Have the rep attend sales or other regular meetings. Use indirect aids – quotas, expense accts, territory

assignments – to help control rep.

Citizenship Behaviors Citizenship Behaviors

“voluntary behaviors that are not part of the job description”

“behaviors that people are not trained for nor asked to do”

Examples—organizing a community service project for your department; showing up to meetings on time; tidying up the break room or employee lounge

What is “morale?”What is “morale?”

“the mental and emotional attitude toward the job.”

Exists at both the individual level and the group level

Affected by—pay, promotions, security, benefits, co-workers, corporate culture

Corporate CultureCorporate Culture

the overall ‘workstyle’ of an organization as determined by management’s values and norms

How to Handle Poor How to Handle Poor Performance:Performance:

State the problem. Be very specific.Get the rep’s agreement on the problemListen to the rep’s explanation of the

problem.Consider extenuating circumstances.Design an action plan for improvementGet the rep’s agreement on the plan.

Substance Abuse ProblemsSubstance Abuse Problems

Do not address the substance abuse problem – address the deficiency in performance.

Do not attempt to provide counseling – suggest or make arrangements for professional help.

Expense Account ProblemsExpense Account Problems

Clearly explain the expense account policies up front when the rep is hired.

If abuse occurs: (1) review the discrepancy with rep, (2) put the rep on notice, (3) back up the policy with action if abuse continues.

Sexual HarassmentSexual Harassment

Creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment

Companies are responsible for creating an environment that does not permit or condone sexual harassment.

Third-party harassment: harassment by clients or customers (someone outside the company)

Companies are responsible for taking action to protect employees from further harassment.