Management, Motivation, & Leadership - Essay Example

Leadership Skills Leadership Skills My chosen character that represents the 10 basic leadership skills is the eagle. An eagle is a carnivorous bird that differentiates itself from other birds in terms of its wisdom and traits. The following is a description of an eagle as a representative of the basic skills of leadership.1. Setting vision/strategyEagles are visionary creatures. They set targets high enough yet remain focussed until they achieve them. For instance, the eagle may spot a prey more than five kilometres away and pursue it until it gets there.

Great leaders set visions or as commonly is said, begin with the end in mind. They then employ every strategy in pursuance of the target (McGrath, 2011). 2. Integrity Eagles know and stick to their moral principles. An eagle will never feed on dead meat, however, hungry it is. Great leaders know and stick to their principles irrespective of the prevailing circumstances. Honesty to oneself and others is a virtue for any successful leader (McGrath, 2011).3. PersuasionThe eagle family is one of a kind where the male has to persuade the female well enough before they can mate.

This may involve building nests that the female has to approve and to be patient enough to the teasing of the female eagle. As a leader, you need to develop persuasion skills so that you can withstand the competition in the market. Sometimes, as a leader you have to go extra mile to win the trust of your followers or partners when trying to cut a business deal (McGrath, 2011).4. AdaptabilityThe eagle character is to use challenges to its advantage. For instance, when there is a storm and every other bird is hiding the eagle uses the storm to rise higher.

This character is an important principle for any successful leader. When something unexpected happens to alter your plan, and then a great leader seeks for an opportunity in the challenge t achieve greater dreams (McGrath, 2011).5. Decision makingA female eagle makes decision based on trust that is developed over time. She tests teases the male with twigs to test his commitment before mating. A great leader makes a decision after thorough search of relevant information and evaluation of probable risks involved (McGrath, 2011).

Coaching and development An eagle coaches the eaglets to fly by either throwing them out of the nest or taking them to heights, release them and then follow them to catch them before they can fall to the ground. A good leader should be able to model others for future leadership (McGrath, 2011).6. Team workBoth the male and female eagles participate in the building of a nest where the female lays eggs. The female lays eggs and protects them while the male builds a nest and hunts. No single leader can perform alone.

They need to employ the skills of others to achieve their targets (McGrath, 2011). 7. CommunicationProper communication is invaluable in any leadership. During the training of the eaglets, the male and female participate on the training. Proper communication between the two is important for the success of the training. The male throws the eaglets out of the nest while the female brings them back. Great leaders master the most effective communication styles to use in leadership (McGrath, 2011).8. PlanningEagles prepare for the appropriate time to reproduce and build their nests well.

The nest is built with different layers of thorns and grass to withstand the weight of the mother and the young ones. Effective leader should plan for the future early enough (McGrath, 2011).9. RelationshipThe eagles relate well with each other. They fly together and when one is ill is fed by the others. Great leaders have a strong relationship with the followers and followers (McGrath, 2011). ReferencesMcGrath, E. H. (2011). Basic managerial skills for all. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.