Principles of Executive Leadership - Essay Example

Principles of executive leadership Leadership is the initiative and willingness of an individual to take the responsibility of making own choices. Behar (18) argues that leadership cannot be imposed on an individual, but rather it is an individual who believes in him/herself to take up this responsibility. On taking up this responsibility, one automatically becomes a leader. The most determining quality in leadership is the ability of leaders to foresee some things that the rest of the people cannot see. This ability is termed as “visionary ability” since it demands particular means to be adopted in order to achieve a desired end (Stephenson 10). Consequently, executive leaders employ the use of a qualitative visual language, which paints a desirable futuristic picture in the minds of their “flock”. They hence try to make their vision a reality through collective mindset creation, which propels them towards the attainment their goals (Harkins & Phil 7). To do these, executive leaders have to apply the following principles, as they act as a guideline towards their desired achievements. Knowing Oneself According to Avery and Bergsteiner (11), this is the first principle in executive leadership, since it allows one to go through a self-reflection process. An individual has to take an assessment of oneself, in order to know if she/he has what it takes to be an executive leader. As a result, leaders have to understand both their weaknesses and their strength. Consequently, they should formulate ways of utilizing their potentials fully, as well as overcoming their weaknesses. A self analysis will enable one to understand if she is fit for leadership or not, since it is a model of attaining self actualization (Novicevic, et al. 4). Without such understanding, an individual is likely to be an ineffective leader, because they will lack the required insight in leadership. Leadership Is By Choice It is by choice that one decides to become a leader. Leaders have to understand that they have an inner calling to what they are about to do (Harkins & Phil 8). They are not forced to be leaders, but they decide to be leaders on their own. A person who chooses to be a leader needs to find meaning and purpose in what they are doing. They need to derive optimal joy and pleasure from it. However, this has not always been the case, as many have chosen to be leaders without taking into consideration the implications that come along with it. Many of such people only look at the glory and status associated with leadership positions, without considering the required sacrifices and dedication. Stephenson (12) explains that as an executive leader, one has to continually engage him/herself in reflective thinking by assessing his purpose in leadership. Independence in Leadership Leaders are expected to think independently in all their endeavors. This is a very strong quality in being an executive leader (Behar 19). They are supposed to come up with reasonable, self-created decisions which can be given the consent of others. Leaders who are not sure about themselves will create doubts in the people they are leading. However, this does not mean that a leader should not take the views of other people. Listening is also an equally important quality of effective leadership. A leader should listen, filter between the suggestions, and come up with the best decision concerning particular issues. Harkins & Phil (10) concur that leaders should thus understand that no one is perfect and other people may even have better approaches to issues than they do. Understand the purpose of leadership After taking the initiative to venture into leadership, an individual needs to understand fully why he/she has to undertake that responsibility (Avery & Bergsteiner 12). Since leadership is all about having a vision, it is from this vision that a leader will recite his/her leading purpose. A clearly set purpose aids one to set achievable goals which serve as others blue prints. Executive leaders can be identified early enough from their ability to accept and utilize every opportunity that comes their way. Moreover, they are moved by an internal drive to do much more than the rest of the people at a young age, since that gives them self satisfaction (Novicevic, et al 7). Hence, a leadership sparkle is normally kindled by both seen and unseen but felt circumstances. Setting of Realistic Goals Leadership is always goal oriented since a person is expected to lead others towards a desired end. Once a person decides to lead, he definitely must have a purpose set, however this purpose must be achievable. Behar (20) asserts that this is the only way other individuals will be excited to join them and have a share of their passions. To show other people that their dreams and anticipated goals are realistic, they need to communicate emotionally to these people. They must try at all times to keep alive their dreams, and keep improving them as time goes by. Executive leaders have been found to create purpose first, then set clear means of achieving it and finally go ahead to execute it (Stephenson 15). So as a concerned leader one has to assess if his/her passion or dream interests others too. The dreams must be for the common good A leader’s dream only exist in his mind, hence other people cannot have a share in it unless it is spoken out (Harkins & Phil 12). For people to have trust in an individual, he/she has to have admirable traits such as high integral values. After possessing such qualities it will be easy for his dream to be believed. For instance when he talks about improving current situations to future desired ones, people will buy his ideas. Generally leaders have a strong drive which ignites improvement and perfection feelings in them. They strongly feel that the present can be easily transformed into something better in the future, and if this is not achieved they feel very frustrated (Avery & Bergsteiner 14). Studies have revealed that leaders from a spiritual background seem very genuine, and hold their leadership positions with much devotion and sacrifice. Resolve and Fortitude Are Essential In Leadership Leadership requires determination since it is full of challenges. Novicevic, et al (12) emphasize that no leader can hold on to the course without that inner drive of wanting to achieve the set goals. Even when others lose hope on the way, leaders are expected to re-ignite the fire in them to keep them going. We all dream, but leaders go an extra mile to make their dreams to come true no matter the setbacks that might come their way. The quest for leadership can arise at any stage in life, when one’s vision excitement is linked up with the passionate energy to achieve it. The energy needed in leadership attracts committed followers to venture into the mission (Harkins & Phil 15). Hence, leadership needs a lot of energy and courage as a leader is expected to step forward regardless of how dangerous or difficult it might be. Recovery plans These are back-ups that are fore-set in case the worst happens, since failure is normal in leadership (Avery & Bergsteiner 15). Leaders are not expected to assume that everything is going to work in their favor, thus they should also expect failures. It is clearly known that failure can follow success or otherwise. While failure makes leaders to come up with new and better strategies of attaining their goals, success may make them to relax. Due to the possibilities of failure in leadership, leaders are expected to be curious of the possible challenges and opportunities. They aspire to know more by question what the world holds and also themselves. By carrying out a self-reflection, they become self-aware and this leads to personal growth and development (Novicevic, et al 22). Lessons Learnt From Failure Leaders are not discouraged by failure, but rather view failure as a learning experience. Leadership is not just a calling, since it requires one to possess exclusive capabilities (Behar 21 & Stephenson 17). Leadership may be born, but for its effectiveness to be proven, a test has to be undertaken. This can be demonstrated from the way one perceives challenges and setbacks, as effective leaders do not perceive them negatively. In fact, they show great improvements after failing, and learn a lot from the mistakes they commit. They are risk takers, since they take their decisions into the extremes but hoping for the best (Avery & Bergsteiner 18). In the course of their transition, special skills are required to make them survive throughout the process, by holding everything together, despite all the odds. In conclusion, it can be said that leadership is an individualistic choice, which starts with an individual, but finally encompasses a great number of people ranging from family and friends. It is a goal oriented journey, in which an individual visualizes a better situation, sets ways of attaining it and eventually goes for it. The purpose of leadership must be clearly stated since it acts as a beacon of triggering the interests of others. However, in this journey there are a lot of challenges and setbacks. So as an executive leader, you are required to have a positive mind and transform all the negative talks in you into positive self talks. In addition, leaders should always develop the habit of learning from their mistakes. By so doing it will be easy for them to realize their dreams, as many people will develop trust in them. References Avery, Glaun and Bergsteiner, Haulls. “How BMW successfully practices sustainable leadership principles.” Strategy & Leadership, 39(6), 2011: 11-18. Behar, Howard. Real-Life Leadership Principles. The Journal for Quality and Participation, 33(1), 2010: 18-21. Harkins, Phil & Phil, Swift. “Seven Leadership Principles.” Leadership Excellence 23(5), 2006: 7-15. Novicevic, Milorad M., et al. “Principles of Outstanding Leadership: Dale Carnegies Folk Epistemology.” Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 16(3), 2011: 4-22. Stephenson, Carol. “Principles to Advance a New Leadership Ethos.” Ivey Business Journal Online. 21(5), 2010: 10-17. Read More