Effective Leadership - Essay Example

Leadership as exhibited by Dan Porter’s supervisor, is an effective one, as it takes a focused leader to have been able to cut Dan Porter short by assigning the team tasks for the day. The supervisor’s action is a manifestation that he has the attributes of a good leader, including the ability “to be firm and just in maintaining necessary order. Without a certain toughness in this regard, you will not win the respect of the group as a whole” (Xenophon, Athenian Soldier, and Author, 431 – 350 BC).

Further, the supervisor’s focus on the task at hand and directing the rest of his team to the completion of it shows that he is competent, mindful and forward-looking, knowing that there are grave consequences on the team should the task be left undone. Had the supervisor been an incompetent leader, he would have let Dan Porter go about the workplace and share to each and everyone there his news about winning the lottery. It is a natural reaction of ordinary people to want to hear about the news firsthand and to share in the excitement.

Consequently, the rest of the team would have seen the supervisor in a different light – one that puts priority to other things not necessarily helpful to the achievement of the company’s goals. The rest of the team would have begun questioning the supervisor’s competence, priorities, and focus. This eventually would have led to the loss of confidence and respect on the supervisor by the team members, which would lead to inefficiency and mediocre performance by the whole team.

In conclusion, effective leadership takes not only knowledge and competence, but also courage to give importance above all else to the greater good. As Xenophon said, “There is a small risk a leader will be regarded with contempt by those he leads if, whatever he may have to preach, he shows himself best able to perform”.