Leadership Qualities, Roles and Goals

Leadership refers to the capacity and ability of a person or a group of people to guide and direct others. Not all people who are in charge have the same qualities and traits. Some are strong and able to influence, control and manage people effectively. Heads of departments and managers with insufficient skills and capabilities don't make good superiors.

Good leaders who teach, inspire and motivate others to boost their human potential become role models and are respected for their capabilities and other admirable qualities.

The roles and functions of heads of department or an organization are the same and that is to reach specific goals.

Among the goals in any system or organization are to...

1. Achieving business and organization goals.
   
   
   
2. Improve performance, production and productivity.
   
   
   
3. Reduce employee dissatisfaction.
   
   
   
4. Identify values for growth and improvement.
   
   
   
5. Focus and work on a vision to succeed for a better future for all involved.
   
   
   
6. Maintain and improve employee motivation.

Problems happen when there is a difficult situation that needs a solution. To solve a problem a person requires ingenuity as well as facts and skills to move from the present state toward some desired goal. An effective leader is able to identify whether a problem is a new one or a recurrence. He understands that a problem is associated with relationships, values, perceptions and beliefs.

A superior with problem solving and trouble shooting skills will handle a situation by identifying the symptoms and causes. He sees it in advance the outcomes and the effects on handling it in a certain way. Problem solving is related to creative, systematic and strategic thinking skills.

A leader who uses his mind to reason and reflect on his and other people's judgments and opinions will help him decide, resolves conflicts and arrives at a conclusion. He finds alternatives and resources to either overcome, transform or avoid the problem.

Building rapport is important in developing relationships. Your ability to match a person's behavior and thinking is like putting yourself in his shoes. When people exchange information, interests and beliefs they create a bond. The ability to develop the bond will allow you to recognize and select appropriate behavior to motivate and influence.

You will deal more effectively with people when you know what is more important to them. You are doing him a favor by understanding and listening to him and he will feel obliged to comply with your request or suggestion. And in wanting you to like him, he will try to appear similar to your thinking and behaviors.

A leader leads by example through his actions and also by his words, either in writing or spoken. A good communicator also uses nonverbal messages like body language, gestures and facial expressions effectively. An effective communicator understands and establishes the states of mind of the people whom he is trying to convey his messages.

He then plans and determines the strategies to get his desired result and in improving work performance. He listens attentively to what others have to say. He will then change the directions, break the patterns and redirect the communication to a new direction to create the best outcome.

Having influence and persuasion skills gives you the power to become an effective mentor and a model to your families, associates and employees. People look up for guidance when they do not know what to do or uncertain of themselves. Show compassion toward them.

A charismatic leader has an added power to influence. A charming personality attracts fascinates and inspires people. He usually shows a compelling vision to succeed and is able to communicate it to others. He shows high level of confidence, dominance and strong convictions on his beliefs.

People place confidence and trust on a character that shows integrity, honesty, competency, consistency and openness. When a follower trusts a leader he believes that the actions taken are for his best interest. A supervisor or manager must exercise fairness, is honest about his feelings, maintain confidence and demonstrates confidence and competence. These traits will make others trust him. He must fulfill the promises that he makes.

Trust is essential in any relationship. He must also develop a "trust culture" in his working and family environment or in any system so that people are able to perform effectively. He must learn to encourage teamwork in a working or home atmosphere to speed up the process of goal attainment.

A leader must be flexible. When an activity or action does not produce the desired result, he should then establish a new direction. He should not allow indecision to stop him from making the next plan of action. A leader must realize that any process to get results involves change.

There are several ways to reach an outcome and he should be prepared to adapt and not limit his creativity. He must have a style that adjusts to the task at hand and yet maintains a harmonious relationship brings out the best to all involved.

He must also feel motivated and has a strong desire to increase his own potential and develop an effective management style. He must have the initiative to learn, develop new skills and try new things.

Read related leadership articles.

As the person in charge of a team or employees, you will have to provide guidance and counseling when you identify an employee with a problem that is affecting his work performance.

Getting cooperation from your assistants and subordinates and getting your team working together hand in hand is critical if you want to reach your organization's goal and mission.

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