effective leadership lec 5 - leadership traits

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SERIES

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

‘Leadership Traits’

LECTURE 5

by

Subhas Chandran

Faculty of Defence & Management Studies

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A good leader inspires others with confidence in him;

A great leader inspires them with confidence

in themselves.

- Unknown

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LEADERSHIP SUCCESS

“Successful leaders share three abilities.

The first is the ability to get along with others and

build teams.

Another is the ability to make sound and timely

decisions.

And the third is the ability to get things done.

Unfortunately, only a relatively small percentage of

leaders possess all three of these attributes.”

~ Gordy Curphy,

Curphy Consulting CorporationSC CPOYRIGHT 2012 3

HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Leadership or the art of influencing and directing other people

to achieve mission goals, involves understanding,

predicting and controlling behavior of followers.

Leaders must understand that each follower is different and

his actions and orders will result in different responses.

Leaders maintain close contact with only a small group of

followers regardless of the numbers under his charge.

Followers reaction is based on:

1. Physical & mental characteristics

2. Emotional characteristics

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INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITY

Individual personality drivers:

oHeredity – these are characteristics inherited from the

parents but attaining the highest levels

depends on the environment and life

experience.

o Environment - influences of the family, community,

religious context, life style etc. that shape

the followers personality.

o Experiences - Each will experience unique experiences

that effect physical, mental and

intellectual reactions.SC CPOYRIGHT 2012 5

INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR

Basic Human Needs influenced by societal values and

individual needs. The acquisition process is to satisfy

Physical needs and Learned needs:

1. Physical Needs – sometimes called basic needs include

food, clothing, body functions and shelter.

2. Learned Needs – the result of interactions with other

men where one learns society’s values and behavioral

norms. Three categories:

Security: Able to predict consequences of ones behavior that

may result in emotional, physical and material harm in others

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INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR

Social Acceptance: the need and desire for societal

acceptance influence man’s behavior. Unwilling to act

contrary to societal ideals and expectations.

Recognition: men have the constant desire to know that

their actions are acceptable and like to receive tangible

proof of appreciation. SC CPOYRIGHT 2012 7

FORCES THAT INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR

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SUPPORTS

STRESSES

EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING

FORCES THAT INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR

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THE CHARACTER OF LEADERS

Individual character traits help one determine what is

right and what is wrong all the time, every-time.

Character comprises two parts : Values and Attributes

Values - is one’s fundamental principle or standard that

drives judgement, decision making and action.

Values are central to the character of everyone, both

leader and follower.

Values are influenced by fears, hatred, love and

friendship or mental models comprising religious,

economic, or political influences.

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WHY VALUES ARE CRITICAL

oOur Constitution requires that the Armed Forces (instrument of

state) use their weapons of war to support not subvert

democratic institutions.

o Similarly civilian organizational values aim to support democratic

institutions.

oValues are not just words but principles that guide our behaviour.

oValues reflect the core of our identity and how we achieve our

goals

oValues unite people (public & private) achieve purpose and vision.


LEADERSHIP VALUES

COMMON ARMED FORCES VALUES

1. LOYALTY - True faith and allegiance to the Constitution,

Laws, Armed Forces, your unit and fellow soldiers.

2.DUTY – To fulfill your obligations ethically as required by the

laws, regulation and orders including figuring out

what needs to be done before being told to do so.

3.RESPECT – Treat people as they should be treated – leader’s

responsibility to create a climate of dignity and

respect regardless of race, gender, creed or

religious beliefs.


LEADERSHIP VALUES

4.SELFLESS SERVICE - Putting nations interests and welfare

above personal interests. Selfless service

to ensure team success.

5.HONOR – Uphold and live up to the Service and Regimental

values – a ‘Moral Compass’ for character and

personal conduct

6.INTEGRITY - doing what is right – legally and morally in spite

of the pressures to do otherwise.

7.PERSONAL COURAGE – Face fear, danger or adversity

regardless of consequences.


LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES


o Values are an important part of a leaders character, but

successful leaders have special attributes.

o Attributes are key personal characteristics – some you are

born with and some you need to learn.

o Military and other leaders should strong attributes in the

following dimensions : physical, mental and emotional.

1. Physical Attributes

Health and physical fitness are equally relevant in both

military and civilian worlds. ‘Top leaders have stamina and

great reserves of vitality’ (James Gardner)

Health is a positive state of well being and Physical

fitness is the ability to function effectively.



1.Physical Attributes (cont.)

Leaders who promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual

health of their employees is investing in success.

Conforming to dress code emphasizes professional bearing,

fitness, courtesy to customers and colleagues and discipline.

2.Mental Attributes

‘Will’ – is the inner drive that compels soldiers to keep going

against odds – fear, hunger, exhaustion etc. For civilians, it is the

courage that enables leaders to pursue goals and accomplish

critical tasks against odds.



2. Mental Attributes (cont.)

Self Discipline - Leaders manage their own emotion in spite

of the extreme stress of the situation. Military - ability of

leaders to do the right things despite consequences for him and

troops. Civilians - ability to keep cool in tense situations and

remain in control and focused.

Initiative - Drives leaders to act when the situation changes

and there is no back up plan. Leaders willingly take on

responsibility and the decision making burden. Effective leaders

will allow subordinates room to develop while tolerating their

mistakes.


Judgment - Is the ability to size up the situation

quickly and decide on the course of action. Good

judgment is making the best decision without allowing

emotions or prejudices influencing them.

Self – Confidence - It is the faith that you will act

correctly under stress of any given situation. It comes

from competence and the mastering of skills. It is earned

and does not come with rank or promotion.

Intelligence - It is not just brain power but the

understanding that one does have all the answers

and is willing to learn.SC CPOYRIGHT 2012 17


Cultural Awareness - Culture is the shared beliefs, values

and assumptions of a group or organization. Leaders have to

be sensitive to the diverse backgrounds, the cultural context

and the customs of the partners in operations (joint forces).

Only then can they build a cohesive team.

3. Emotional Attributes – Leaders emotional attributes – self

control, balance and stability, understand that military people

are human with hopes, fears, concerns and dreams. Leaders also

understand their strengths and weakness – they are calm in the

face of danger.


LEADERSHIP TRAITS

Good Leaders are made not born.

Traits of good leaders are :

1.Courage – taking intelligent and calculated risks in the battle

field; standing up to what is right; be mission focused in spite of

odds; making on the spot corrections if needed.

2.Bearing - setting and maintaining a high standard of

appearance; controlling your voice.

3.Decisiveness - studying the alternatives and choosing the

best course of action – knowing when not to make a decision

4.Dependability - complete tasks in a timely manner


LEADERSHIP TRAITS

5. Endurance – physical and mental stamina to perform and

complete task.

6. Enthusiasm - communicate positive attitude to your soldiers

– never complaining but emphasizing success

7. Humility - emphasizing to your soldiers their success and

encouraging them to overcome obstacles

8. Humor – having fun doing your job – joking to relieve tension

of the situation

9. Initiative – planning ahead and taking action


LEADERSHIP TRAITS

10.Integrity – telling the truth, working for the benefit of

your soldiers and using your power judiciously.

11.Justice - consistent application of reward and

punishment; ability to listen to all sides

12.Knowledge – making sound tactical decisions, ability to

show soldiers how they should perform their tasks

13.Loyalty – willingness to care out tough orders without

complaining – defending your soldiers against unfair

treatment.

14.Tact – speaking to others (chain of command) respectfullySC CPOYRIGHT 2012 21

DEVELOPING LEADERS

oThe military approach is a ‘whole person approach’ to

leadership development.

oLeadership is not a role or position in the organization.

oA leader is a person with mental, emotional and physical

dimensions.

oThe military sees it as the leader’s responsibility to develop himself

before he can hope to lead his men.

oLeaders of character set the example to all around them – are

models of behaviour they expect in others.


DEVELOPING LEADERS

o Leaders need to ‘Walk the Talk’ if they want commitment and

high standards of action from followers.

o Leaders are assessed more for their character and values rather

than his leadership skill sets !

o Organizational values should be linked to leadership as it shows

those outside and inside what they stand for.

o Positional leaders (CEO or President) who lack character and

values will not be an effective leader !


EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

Effective Leadership - Requirements :

Be yourself

Figure out what you are good at

Hire only good people who care

Treat people the way you want to be treated

Focus on one or two critical objectives

Ask your coworkers how to get there

Listen well

Call the play

Warren Bennis,

Author and Educator


effective leadership lec 5 - leadership traits

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