Role of Executive Leadership in a Business - Research Paper Example

Planning is required in fields such as production, marketing, procurement, and advertising. Every aspect of the business is based on planning. A good plan can be implemented only by a person who has the knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities (Ammons and Newell, 1989). A good leader is a driver for a business to reach the destination of success. Thus, executive leadership is what the business depends upon for success. All business organizations will have multiple levels of employees, and employees at higher levels make decisions while the employees at lower levels implement the decisions. The success of any organization is entirely dependant on the leadership qualities exhibited at the top level (Elliott, Clement &  Lessem, 1994).

If the organization has a good executive at the top, the management will be good. Good management transfers its effects to all levels of employees and this, in turn, improves output or production and the quality of the product. Rhonda Abrams (1991) believes that executive leadership is required for the effective growth of an organization. All managers in the organization should have leadership accountability and this accountability needs to be discharged by the leader for the overall growth of the organization.

Executive leadership provides a practical approach for improving the decision-making capacity of managers at all levels. Decision-making forms the basis of the achievement of targets and the overall development of the organization. The executive leaders have to take up the responsibility of building the organization. They make fundamental changes in the organization and implement them. They motivate the managers to accept the change in the best interest of the organization (Elliott, Clement &  Lessem, 1994).

According to Wyne R. Davis, these are a few requirements of an executive leader. An executive leader, who has the ability to carry out the above responsibilities, will make the organization successful in terms of business. The executive leaders are responsible to bring an overall positive change to the organization. 

They set the right goals and aims for the organization in general and managers in particular (Ammons and Newell, 1989). The implementation of these goals is also the responsibility of the executive leaders.

They should have a long-term vision and foresee the future of the organization and where it will be placed years ahead. Planning is done to achieve success in that stage of the organization.

The executive leaders motivate the managers to handle the workforce efficiently and produce results in terms of the production of the organization. organization. Furthermore, the executive leaders represent the organization and hence they reflect the ethical qualities of the organization.

Responsibilities of Executive Leaders 

The executive leader no doubt leads the organization. That apart, leadership is a complex multifaceted phenomenon, manifested in different executives, in a variety of different shapes and forms (Ammons and Newell, 1989). To achieve all this, an executive leader should be armed with the following qualities:

• ¬ Knowledge: He should know the people with whom he is working. Spending some time to know the people, their strengths, weaknesses, strong points, knowledge is important. This helps the executive leader in assessing how each can contribute to the success of the organization.
• ¬ Never Isolate: Mix with the people working under you to create a better working environment and also to keep updated about the happenings.
• ¬ Exchange Ideas: Meetings should be held regularly and views and opinions should be exchanged. Meetings should not be restricted to pass on the opinion of the executive leader to the lower levels.
• ¬ Be Open-Minded: Be open to the ideas of others. Assess their pros and cons before rejecting the ideas given by others.
• ¬ Encourage Feedback: Feedback may be regarding working conditions, goals, and strategies; feedbacks should be encouraged as they play an important role in improving the business strategies.
• ¬ Create A Good Atmosphere: By not being a strict disciplinarian all the time, a good atmosphere that motivates employees to give in their best can be created.

Conclusion

Good management strategies and the best executive leadership are the key requirements for the success of any business. Executive leaders are the key personnel who are the link between the management and the managers. Their role is what makes the company survive the competition and grow. Hence, finding the right executive leaders can take the organization to new heights in business