Role of Leadership in Managing Quality - Research Paper Example

? [Role of Leadership in Managing Quality] Role of Leadership in Managing Quality Leadership plays a vital role in quality management and is considered as the backbone of any developmental or upgrading plan. Leaders unite individuals from different background on a single platform and present unity of purpose. Moreover leaders establish a particular direction for their followers which allow them in managing the internal environment of the organization, business, school, institute, nation etc. Once the adherents follow guidance provided by their leader efficiently they can ultimately achieve their targeted goals, aims and objectives in an organized manner. Hence it is clearly evident that quality can easily be maintained with good leadership on any stage or medium as it is the excellence of leaders who are able to set objectives efficiently and assist their followers in implementing those objectives within specified time limits (tribehr.com, 2012). In Big Organization Considering the role of leaders in big organization it is found that leaders are proactive and lead their employees through providing example. The employees follow such instances after being inspired by the charismatic leadership of their leader rather than having a sense of dictatorship. A good leader is one who leads in a manner which is depicted through implementation and then leading through actions as opposed to simply dictating their rules and actions without exemplifying any real instances. Leaders recognize and act in response to the variation of the external environment and completely understand the ups and downs of the changing external environment. They are then able to communicate the right direction to their followers for attaining quality in work. The role of leadership in a big organization is to comprehend the requirements of every stakeholder such as clients, owners, suppliers, working staff, general public and any other concerned associate of the business. Every stakeholder formulates the significant part of the quality management process hence they all combine to have an effect on organization’s success. It is the quality of good leadership to induce ethical values throughout their organization which can be achieved through organization’s mission statement or they can themselves become role models for inspiring their employees for becoming a strategic part of quality management initiative (lennoxhill.co.uk, 2011). True leadership has the ability to equip their employees with the essential resources and struggle to fulfil their duty with sincerity and accountability. The entire organization can be motivated by true leaders for fulfilling their duties and get everyone involved in the process of quality management. It is essential at this stage that leaders must inspire and recognize the contributions and efforts made by employees at all levels which will further instigate a sense of accountability amongst employees and will inspire them in attaining more results and they will voluntarily involve more in quality management procedures. This entire process is dependent on the inputs from both sides whether it is the leader or it is the company’s workforce (Ovretveit, 2005). In Educational Institution The educational field has also changed considerably in a manner that education administration is now treated more towards the scope of educational management which is now further improvised and transformed into educational leadership. This example is clearly evident from the ceremony held in 2000 having the inauguration of the National College for School Leadership in England. The expression ‘instructional leadership’ is basically derived from North America and it has been superseded in England and all around the world by the concept of ‘learning centred leadership’. It has become a requirement for educational leaders and managers to focus all their efforts more towards the quality management of their educational institution for competing with the other leading institutions. Efficient leadership values are required to be present in the management team if schools and colleges are to accomplish the comprehensive objectives. These objectives are first required to be outlined and compared with the best practices and afterwards it is the responsibility of the leaders to clearly communicate the required objectives to their team members. The standards can also be provided by government and other authorities that provide funds to the educational institutions (sagepub.com, 2010). Hence an effective leadership is able to understand that in a competitive global economy it is the requirement of time to educate their workforce suitably for competing and making their presence substantial in tough times. It is the need of time that society expects schools, colleges and universities to deliver high quality standards of education and equip their people with latest working trends and concepts. Hence it has become obligatory for educational institutions also to focus more towards managing the level of quality education for which they are required to have true management in the form of good leadership. Teachers, managers, instructors and any other working staff of an educational institution is required to follow the leader of their domains and execute accordingly. It has been observed that in various educational institutions and even in the business sector the term management is now being replaced with the concept of leadership which allows a positive feeling to stimulate in the minds of the employees and staff (Bush, 2007). Apart from this self management can also be practised by educational institutions which can then be expanded to the scope and scale of leadership. This method provides greater potential for direct and indirect manipulation on school and student outcomes. It is the quality of a true leader to learn and search for new things which is why a successful leader of an organization or an institution always focuses more towards learning. Being a leader is not an easy job, he/she has to face unprecedented accountability pressures which are mostly created for being in a ‘results driven’ business. With the increase in external and internal pressures leaders and managers require to communicate and understand their problems, exchange their skills for sustaining a better position in their institution. Heads, principals and senior staff are required to undertake an appreciation of the theory, as well as the training, of educational management (Mulford, 2003). In Pre School Education Pre-School education is the phase where a young child is sent for attaining the foundational or basic education of his/her life. A self-motivated, competent and experienced leader is necessary for facilitating a learning environment for the kids at this stage. This education is essential for effective in moulding and catering the requirements of the future generations. A well managed and good curriculum will improve the developments of the young folks whereas a curriculum of low quality will influence or even endanger the development stages of young children. It is definitely proved that leaders are required to participate in such events and execute their key role in quality improvement and management. If a leader is serving in a non-profit pre-school education it is the responsibility of the leader to involve and maintain objectives for providing quality care, assistance, guidance and education at reasonably priced rates to facilitate the community with lower income. It is the ability to leader to compete with the extreme procedures, design proper line of attack and develop competencies for working with the larger community agencies. Hence it can be asserted that the eventual objective of a preschool is to provide a dynamic and high quality curriculum that fulfils the requirements of young generation. The leader looks out for ways for persuading staff members and the community in attaining this core objective. Therefore, a true and successful leader needs the ability to express beliefs, values, vision and plan tactically to escort for goal achievement (Wah, 2009). Conclusion Once the leaders have defined their goals they are able to promote growth and development across their organisation, institution or pre-school by constantly improving the standards of goals within each subdivision. Moreover it is also required to implement clear initiatives and strategies for executing their goals into completion. References Bush, T. (2007). Educational leadership and management: theory, policy, and practice. South African Journal of Education , 391–406. lennoxhill.co.uk. (2011). The Role of Leadership in Quality Management. Retrieved June 14, 2013, from lennoxhill.co.uk: http://www.lennoxhill.co.uk/blog/the-role-of-leadership-in-quality-management/ Mulford, B. (2003). SCHOOL LEADERS: CHANGING ROLES AND IMPACT ON TEACHER AND SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS . Retrieved June 14, 2013, from oecd.org: http://www.oecd.org/edu/school/2635399.pdf Ovretveit, D. J. (2005). The Leaders Role in Quality and Safety Improvement. Retrieved June 14, 2013, from The “Improving Improvement Action Evaluation Project”: http://www.skane.se/upload/Webbplatser/Utvecklingscentrum/dokument/ledarens_roll_engelsk.pdf sagepub.com. (2010). The importance of leadership and management for education. Retrieved June 14, 2013, from sagepub.com: http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/36574_Bush_4e_revised.pdf tribehr.com. (2012). The Role of Leadership in Managing Organizational Values. Retrieved June 14, 2013, from tribehr.com: http://tribehr.com/blog/the-role-of-leadership-in-managing-organizational-values Wah, D. T. (2009). Importance of Leaders and Major Functions. Retrieved June 14, 2013, from Pre School Passion - Leadership: http://preschoolpassionleadership.blogspot.com/2009/02/roles-of-leaders_3931.html Read More