Management and Leadership as the Most Important Skills in Organisation - Coursework Example

Important Skills in an Organization: Leadership & Management Name Institution Tutor Date Management and Leadership Introduction Leadership and management are very important in our organization. However, the type of leadership style applied is dependant on the situation, personal characteristics as well as the responsibility of a person as a leader. Poor management or leadership may mean failure to meet set goals and objectives. In this regard, people to take up the leadership and managerial positions should be carefully selected. How effective workers are depend on several factors that directly touch on the organizational leadership. This include type of motivation, body language used, work demands as well as stakeholder involvement in decision making process. None of the two (leadership or management) can be considered as unnecessary. This paper is aimed at looking into converging and diverging points of management and leadership and factors that determine the success of the organization. Management versus Leadership Leadership and management are two ways through which an organization or company controls or directs people to achieve desired input. However, this two use very different styles and methods to achieve compliance. While managers rely on their professional training and experience to achieve compliance in a formal manner, leaders rely on their passion to control the emotions of those under them. Leaders do not necessarily make managers (Lyon, 1999). For any organization to achieve desired objectives, the two must be put into consideration. Good leadership and management ensure that set goals and objects are met. The aim of having a well established management basis is to ensure that the company or organization maximizes on benefits through implementation of administration. According to great man theories, leaders are not made but are born with character traits that qualify them for leadership (Bass, 1989). The managers are expected to undertake several duties including controlling, staffing, organization, directing and planning any activities in the organization. To ensure effectiveness, a manager must have leadership skill and competences to ensure that he influences and has authoritative capacity to effect compliance. While leaders seek to accomplish those things considered to be right, the manager seeks to do something the right way. Transactional theories explain the role of a manager as a supervisor (Bass, 1990). The managers follow a determined direction as dictated by their job description hence making it formal. On the other hand, leaders follow their emotions or thoughts rather than a determined Path. As a result, they question any suspicion or assumption made. This is dependant on a person’s talent. Sometimes, there are conflicting issues between managers and leaders especially when people to follow the leader in the organization. The manager may feel threatened as he interprets this as questioning his capacity to take charge. Since leaders are more attached to people emotionally, these people will tend to be loyal to them then to the manager. Relationship theories explain a leader as one willing to take the blame, encourage people and complement them when they do something the right way. The leader leads the way while managers dictate the way. The ability to unit people and make them the vision, mission and goals of the company at an individual level makes it easier to achieve compliance. However, there are situation where management skills are required more than the leadership skills if desired outcomes are to be achieved (Santrock, 2007). For instance, if desired change in my organization faces the threat of being rejected, force may need to be applied. This requires an authoritative person to achieve compliance and hence managers are best for this (Lyon, 1999). For one to secure the position of a manager he or she should be professionally trained in that field but this may not be the case when it comes to a leader. The manager is chosen depending on his the technical know how. Management is very different from leadership and a person can have one and not the other. However, there are circumstances that dictate that a person must have the two if he or she is to fit in a particular position in the organization. For instance, leadership and management skills are necessary in delegation, change management and in project management. In delegation, management skills are necessary in determining what should be done while leadership skills are necessary when persuading another to accomplish it. A leader focuses on listening, motivation, vision, persuasion, inspiration, team work and relationships. Lacking either leadership or management skills in an organization would result to failure of that organization. There are certain functions that are exclusive to management such as budget formulation, staffing, planning and problem solving, controlling and organizing. Leadership is specifically meant to bring about desired change and movement in an organization. The role of any manager in an organization is to ensure efficiency, consistence, stability and order. While leadership is a position where one influences others, management is a position where a person exercises authority. According to Kouzes, & Posner (1987), a leader is one that sells the vision of an organization to others, hence energizing them to work towards that direction. He considers management and leadership as two necessary processes for any organization that aims at being effective but the two are different in nature and application. In this case, management is necessary for solving or adjusting problems, monitoring results, delegating duties and authority and designing the strategies to be followed. On the other hand, leadership ensures that desired change is achieved since it has the people at heart. The leader holds a vision for the success of an organization or company while a manager ensures that this vision is achieved by taking implementation actions and controlling daily activities (Borbasi & Gaston, 2002). However, the adapted organization culture determines the success of any leader. This includes organization’s philosophy which dictates the approach a group of people applies. In the present days, managers have to deal with health care, financing techniques and global economy if he is to be effective. In addition to supervision, they ensure availability of required resources and tool for other workers to carryout their responsibilities effectively. Interface between Security and the Organization Most organizations consider security management as wastage of resource and do not hesitate to cut down on the cost of carrying out activities related to security management. This assumption explains the reason why crime rate increases during tough economic conditions. Any organization desiring to achieve and maintain competitive advantage must ensure that its human resource, customers, assets and the business itself is well protected all these aspect are important since the success of a business is dependant on all of them. Both the managers and leaders in any form of organization must consult the security manager as the internal security. One of the aims of an organization is maximization of profit (Lyon, 1999). This cannot be achieved if security issues are not integrated in the organization strategy. The company or organization sets goals that focus on development and ensuring sustainability and growth in the profit margins. However, this cannot be achieved if the business continuously looses its assets or human power. The leadership or management of an organization determines who is to be consulted on what. The organization is likely to fail if the leadership assumes the importance of consulting security managers in the decision making process. Security management is made possible through the implementation of schedules, policies, checklist and procedures that promote the business to thrive. A business security should be put in place at the first step of establishing the business or organization and not as an after thought. As a result, the business will be saved from heavy losses that are as a result of negligence. This is hence a major reason why the security manager should be the internal consultant in any organization. In addition, the security manager should be involved in delegation of duties in regard to business security and an organizational frame work should be adapted from him or her. Since business security forms an integral part of the business, continuous trainings of the staff on security issues should be put in to consideration to ensure that the security is of the highest standard. Participative theories emphasizes on involvement of stakeholders when making decision of which security management is a part (Bolman and Deal, 1991). Security of business information and protection of the business from counterfeits is also very important. Protection of customers from counterfeits and prevention of workplace violence is so as to ensure protection of the organization’s reputation. The security manager is also involved in determining possible threats to the success of the organization and coming up with strategies to deal with those threats and uncertainties. Organizational Styles and Strategies An organization strategy determines whether one creates value in the work place that will attract customers and ensure that competitive advantage is maintained even in the future. However, this is dependant on the ability to adapt change as quickly as possible and developing positive impact. The strategy comprise of 4 elements to ensure the success in business operations. First, it should clearly identify the mission and vision of the organization including competitive advantage. This means that the mission should not be unrealistic and all the three should represent the interest of all stake holders. The goals set to be achieved after a short time such as one month should also be clear. Secondly, an external assessment should be carried out on the organization strategy through the SWOT analysis and the development of a profile that is competitive. The leaders and managers should identify what it would cost the organization if it is to prosper though the help of the security manager. An internal assessment on the organization strategy must also be carried out. This involves the ability or capacity of an organization to critically evaluate its own weaknesses and strengths. This includes marketing, researching production among other aspects. Finally, the organization must set clear goal as part of the organization strategy. This includes implementation of the monitoring system, development of processes, application human and financial resources and ensuring accountability. The success of this is dependant on the way workers are informed. The person in control of this, be it a manager or a leader determines the level of compliance. To achieve desired outcome, both leadership and management styles are necessary (Lamb & McKee, 2004). Organizational Politics Organizational politics promotes a person’s objectives by attempting to ensure influence on others through the application of discretionally behaviour. Exercising politics in any organization may have a bad or good impact. Organizational politics are of different types such as formation of coalitions, management of impressions, cultivation of networks, creation of obligations, information control and blaming and attacking. However, these politics thrive only if the environment is conducive. This means that there is political tolerance, scarcity of resources; one has required personal characteristics and the existence of ambiguous complex decisions. Politics in an organization must be controlled to avoid production of negative impacts hence involving the leadership or management of the organization. This can be achieved through: eliminating political norms, increasing dialogue opportunities, allowing free information flow, introduction of clear rules, employing people who are low in politics, ensuring peer pressure works against thriving of politics and provision of sufficient required resources. Politics have been reported to have negative effects on an organization as people compete to be recognized and for power and resources when viewed from a manager’s perspective. Leaders however view politics from a positive dimension. Despite the negative aspects attributed to organizational politics, most people get to positions of power and acquire leadership skills through politics. However, people thrive in organizational politics if their actions favour achievement of personal goals and those of other colleges. These kinds of people are regarded as being skillful, tactical leaders. If the politics are positive, they ensure that an organization achieves competitive advantage. The Security Manager as Internal Consultant Security issues are the main determinant of how fast an organization achieves set goals and objectives. If the security o an organization is questionable, there is a high possibility that the achievements will delay or it will totally fail. Theft of organization resources, loss of employees to other organization and setbacks from disasters that are unplanned for are the major consequences of ignoring the role of security manager. Every aspect of the organization ranging from human capital to the assets acquired is dependant on security management. This means that security managers should form the basic part in decision making process. It is important for managers and leaders to consult the security personnel before making major decision in the organization or implanting projects. Organization’s possibility of operating at a loss is reduced. While a manager is likely to consult security manage as a result of set rules, leaders are likely to involve all persons including security manage as stakeholders. Possibility of colliding with the law for lack of knowledge is also reduced when there is consultation. For instance, underpaying employee or providing harsh working conditions. As much as the workers need the jobs, the managers and leaders should understand the organization also depends on these workers. Financing Projects Financing project is a key thing in enhancing performance in the business and ensuring a transformation in the operations of the company. The most challenging part in financing projects is that while funding is provided upfront, the benefits are not realized immediately but years or months later. leader who take the company through the process of financing clearly understands every change being implemented in the organization and are comfortable in handling any cash flow in the future being generated from that particular project. However, leaders are important when there is resources are available or they need to source for funds. Managers are on the hand required when there is likely resistance from other workers or there is a possibility of resources being directed to the wrong projects. These leaders and managers should also understand borrowing terms and the best source of funds in relation to the potential of the project to pay it back and make profit. The security manager should be consulted to explaining the risks involved in financing the project and sourcing funds. Financial Basis of Decision Making It is important to have a good basis when deciding which project to finance and how much should be invested in it. Managers will achieve this through first identifying professionals who critically discuss the issue, industry search including market research and a SWOT analysis, availability of resources and the seasonality of targeted market. The leader will on the other hand involve all stake holders in the decision making process. This includes customers, workers, professionals in the field and other fields related to the project, security managers and the project managers/leaders. Managers also consider targeted capacity of the project to earn income must also be considered including its sustainability. The main area of consideration when financing a project are the capital structure, broad market under which the company operates, management and the position of the company in the market. A leader focuses on the possibility of how to accomplish set goals. Effective Use of Time One importance resource in a company or an organization is time. There is thus need to ensure that time is effectively used. Managers achieve this by ensuring that right people are allocated the right activities and required resource materials provided. Leaders will ensure that enough workers and space are catered which reduces time wastage. Leader and managers ensure a clear job description for every post with a determination of the activities to be carried out at a particular time. Team work ensures effective use of every second as workers do not waste time doing what is beyond their capacity. Delegation of duties is enhanced when teamwork is of priority. This is determined by how people work with, for or against each other. Motivating Others This is very necessary if people are to find the value and purpose of their existence in an organization. The demand for results is stressful to people and they constantly need a source of power to keep them going. Manslow,s theory on the hierarchy of needs explains how people are motivated by the needs (Hughes, 2004). If the basic needs are being met adequately, workers are motivated to even work harder. Manslow’s theory is applicable especially when workers are paid on commission basis or are promoted in regard to their work output (Bondas, 2006). This requires an engagement of the leaders in the people’s hearts and mind. Without this, set processes cannot be translated into results. One way of ensuring employee motivation as a leader is being an active listener to them and fulfilling promises. In addition, every person should be recognized when they do something that positively impact the business or perform as expected. This develops in them an inner power to work even in a better way. Effective communication is thus the basic in motivating others. Employees and other stake holders such as customers can be motivated through giving rewards to those that perform best or through training. The trainings equip the employees with better skills to ensure improved performance. In addition, managers develop goals that enhance employee competition in the work place. As Douglas McGregor explains in his theory X, man generally dislikes working and must be controlled to achieve desired result (Singer, 2000). This can be achieved by commending best performers publicly while giving reprimands in privacy and in a friendly manner. Security management ensures that employees are motivated by protecting them from harassments and work violence. The security manager also ensures that the employee’s health is protected by ensuring the provision of favourable working environmental conditions. In addition, the manager or leader should be ready to apologize if found on the wrong. Promotion of the best performing employees is another motivation factor. Body Language The body language communicates louder than words and other stakeholders form a perception of what kind of a leader or manager one is. Since a managerial or leadership position is a position where one is in control of others, confidence must be portrayed. The managers body language is authoritative thus demanding compliance while the leaders body language is persuasive and influential. What is said in words must agree with the body movements, facial expressions and the impression in the eyes. Security managers ensure that employee’s are respected by preventing application of physical force when allocating duties. Seeking advice from the security manager will enable leaders and managers achieve compliance without violating the rights of the workers or demoralizing them. Communication Skills Good interpersonal communication skills form the basis of finding a job, being promoted and sustained in the organization. The most appropriate and important communication method in any organization is developing two-way communication techniques. This results to a reduction in the number of cases of misunderstanding. This form of communication is characterized by questioning to ensure clarity of information, keen listening to the other party while he or she is speaking and rephrasing sentences to indicate understanding. Leaders apply the two way communication technique while managers mainly apply a one way communication technique. Ease in communication is dictated by the first impression. This means that the managers and leaders should form a positive impression in their workers and customers. Communication also forms the basis of good relationship which the leader is interested in. leaders seek to establish trust and a rapoo with the employees, clients and other stakeholders involved in the organization. On the other hand, managers ensure that others understand that they are in authority. Persuasive communication enhances accomplishment of tasks hence realization of set goals and objectives. The communicator must have the required characteristics to ensure a good information flow. These characteristics include attractiveness, expertise and credibility. Since effectiveness of communication in an organization is not only dependant on the communicator, the audience must be inoculated and have a good self esteem. The message being communicated must also have inoculation effect, be emotionally appealing, provide no room for arguments and must ensure that all sides are well presented (U.S. Army, 1983). However, the communication technique applied is dependant of the situation. Both managers’ and leaders’ communication strategies are important in the organization. Leadership Styles Leadership is a process that is multifaceted and involves goal identification, people motivation and support in order for them to achieve the intended goals that have been mutually negotiated. In a business setting therefore, successful operation of shifts, management of challenging situations, team work and morale of workers on shifts is imperative and effectively achievable through transformational leadership style. Mahoney (2001) however clarifies that leadership as very different from management thus eliminating confusion. He explains while management is concerned with tasks leadership focuses more on philosophy, skill, judgment and perception. Bondas (2006) explains that it seeks to create change on the others, self, organizations and groups. He states that leadership has four components which include idealized influence or charisma, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration and inspirational motivation. He adds that it is furthermore divided into two styles that include visionary leadership and charismatic leadership. Charismatic leadership According to Borbasi & Gaston (2002) a charismatic leader garners support and followers not from the use of external authority or power but rather the use of charm and personality. Mahoney (2001) on the other hand writes that persons with the charismatic leadership style are good risk takers, good in vision and objective articulation and sensitive to the needs of the other nurses and their environment. He further clarifies that they also seek and strive to instill devotion and commitment of goals of the workers. Porter (2003) implies that when the goals and motives of the charismatic leader are right then the performance of the entire team is elevated and transformed for the benefit of the customers. The self belief, dynamism, commanding presence and energy of such workers makes them great motivators for the team especially under high pressure situations. Visionary leadership The visionary leader is one that is able to define the objectives of the future and move the entire team towards ensuring their achievement. Mahoney assert that such a leader is able to increase institutional productivity and operational efficiency by making decisions that are then executed by the teams at the frontline. Such a person is also able to motivate employees by allowing them to make decisions regarding the areas of their jurisdiction without undue interference. They furthermore avoid shifting blame and are thus responsible for the nurses working under them thus motivating those nurses to carry out duties allocated to them with perfection to avoid unnecessary errors that might spell trouble for their leader (Mahoney, 2001). Hughes adds that senior workers with visionary leadership skills furthermore create opportunities that permit their staff to advance their knowledge thus creating a pool full of strategic capabilities essential for performance enhancement and outstanding institutional performance. Another style of leadership is democratic leadership. This allows an input from all stake holders and the majority rules while the minority submits. Most organizations apply this kind of leadership when selecting the leaders. Since none of this style is complete in its self, two or more styles may be combined. Ethics and Values Ethics form a combined set of rules to be followed and guidelines which are adopted and followed by a group of people. The code of conduct in the profession determines these values and ethics. To behave in an ethical manner means doing according to what is decided and agreed upon by the professionals. Values are the rules governing the judgment of what is right or is wrong. They are important in meeting the vision of an individual or an organization and should be upheld by all workers to enhance business success. What is good and for the benefit of the clients or the workers is given apriority. These ethics include excellence, integrity, inclusiveness and professionalism. If the ethics are ignored, there is a high possibility of the organization failing to realize set goals and objectives Conclusion Managers and leaders positively contribute to the well run of an organization. The two are different though have a common purpose of profit maximization and ensuring compliance. While leadership skills are necessary in persuasive leadership, the two have to co-exist. Having one without the other can result to the failure of the organization. Managers who have leadership skills are more effective than those with only leadership skills. However, an organization should not be satisfied with the skills of the employees and the managers. Efforts should be directed towards daily improvement of these skills through training. Though the performance of an organization is directed by those in positions of power, contribution of all stakeholders is paramount. One of the stakeholders that is ignored by many organizations is the security manager who organizations don’t view as important until a tragedy befalls them. Measures should be taken t ensure that security management as a basic need is implemented at the initial stages. If this is ensure, business risks would be greatly reduced due to early detection and avoidance. Work Cited Lyon, D. (1999). Postmodernity. Open University Press: Buckingham. Bondas, T. (2006). Paths to nursing leadership. Journal of Nursing Management, 2006 Borbasi, S., & Gaston, C (2002). Nursing and the 21st century: what's happened to leadership? Collegian. Hughes, S. (2004). The mentoring role of the personal tutor in the 'fitness for practice' curriculum: an all Wales approach. 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