The Success and Usefulness of Leadership Development - Essay Example

Leadership Name Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Introduction In the contemporary world, the term leadership has continuously become one of the most discussed subjects in organizations and businesses (Manuel, 2001). Apparently, leadership has become the headline of most discussions in the television, the newspaper as well as conferences (Hase, 2007). Leadership is a term used to refer to the procedure by which a person determines direction to be followed by others (Avolio, 2003). Additionally, it includes influencing certain individuals and directing them towards achieving specific goals and organizational mission. In addition, leadership is a sophisticated term that touches on a number of other vitally important organizational, personal as well as social processes (Avolio, 2005). The term is highly dependent on a procedure of influence where individuals are enthused to work towards attaining goals as a group by not being coerced but through individual motivation. Evidently, leadership seems to be more challenging in difficult times (Manuel, 2001). Nevertheless, the challenges facing most organizations in the present time across the globe call for a change in leadership. Most organizations today are addressing challenges that run from ethical meltdowns to SARS (Avolio, 2003). However, what comprise of these issues is changing as new challenges, market demands, technologies as well as competition emerge (Hase, 2007). It is suggested that these issues have triggered a renewed focus to restoring hope, confidence and optimism as well as the ability to address the catastrophic events by helping individuals to search for new self-awareness (Avolio, 2003). According to past researches, the world needs leaders who are going to lead with purpose, integrity, values as well as the leaders who will build lasting organizations and those who foster their workforce to serve their customers effectively and creating enduring value for their shareholders (Avolio, 2005). For this reason, it is suggested that there is need to focus on the root construct underlying all positive forms of leadership and its development. This paper aims at exploring developments in leadership and the success attained through leadership development in the same field. Leadership development Leadership development is a broad term that has been defined differently by different scholars (Manuel, 2001). The term has been used to refer to the formal and informal training as well as the professional training meant for all the executive and management level employees to help them develop the leadership styles and skills deemed right to address a number of situations that face them in their line of duty (Day, 2001). According to Avolio (2005), leadership development is a purposed effort to offer emerging and existing leaders the opportunity to learn, grow as well as change professionally. The main aim of leadership development here is to produce personnel over time with the right skills to effectively function within an organization (Hase, 2007). In the present time, the initiatives of leadership development provide performance support as well as a real world skills application of skills via such methods as coaching, training programs, mentoring, developmental assignments and action learning (Avolio, 2005). It is evident that combining instruction with a real business setting assists individuals to acquire appropriate skills to help organizations to face any kind of difficult issues they face. The main aim of leadership development includes action and not knowledge. This therefore is a clear indication that leadership development in the contemporary times means offering the employees an opportunity so as they can learn from their own work (Manuel, 2001). It is vitally important to incorporate these experiences with each other as well as with other developmental methods. For the leadership development to be effective, it is recommended that it follow three objectives (Manuel, 2001). The first one is to define the term leadership development within the distinctive context of the organization in questions well as culture and the mission of the same organization (Avolio, 2005). Secondly, is to identify the needs of the leadership development of the organization to match the proposed intervention to these needs. Ultimately, is to ensure that your kind of leadership development helps the individuals involved learn about themselves and their colleagues grow in their both personal skills and abilities, as well as change and adapt to new circumstances and opportunities (Avolio, 2005). The success and usefulness of leadership development Generally, a company has many departments, which are handled by a selected group of people. It is true top argue that these departments would only endure and survive if they are handled hardworking as well as smart individuals (Karylyn and Henderson, 2011). Within the world of business, leadership development is of paramount when a certain process is not working as is deemed right. Evidently, an individual may be in possession of qualities of a leader, however, these qualities may not be deemed right for an effective leader. In such an instance, leadership development is highly recommended, as it will play a great role. The development of skills, knowledge and competencies results to improved goal achievement, performance, personal satisfaction and increased learning (Manuel, 2001). With the increasingly changing market place, most organizations are placing demands on their leaders and talent to more comprehensive skills (Karylyn and Henderson, 2011). These development opportunities have brought about many changes, growth and learning. Having the opportunity to accomplish leadership development gives the leaders an opportunity to add value to their organizations or businesses. Evidently, development assists leaders in increasing their value as leaders and the range of business goals they can achieve. Leadership development helps leaders grow personally and professionally as well as keeping them ready for the future changing demands (Manuel, 2001). Apparently, leadership development allows, individuals to initiate qualities to enable them become effective leaders. Besides, it enables the mangers to acquire leadership qualities to enhance their management and productiveness (Manuel, 2001). This is of substantial both to the corporate at the top positions in an organization and those in the middle level segment. A majority of the organizations and companies deal with leadership generally, as they are not aware of its importance (Hase, 2007). Normally, they refer to the term as to include problem-solving capabilities, personal appeal, communication skills, aspiration and motivational abilities. On a general basis, most companies carry out leadership development prams occasionally giving their leaders an opportunity to improve their managerial skills as well as abilities. In order to achieve this, these companies consult the firms and institutions in a wide possession of training and development programs. According to the scholars this programs cover a number of features of the qualities of an effective leader (Avolio, 2005). In the leadership, development programs emerging and existing leaders are taught the usefulness of effective communication in a workforce so as they can acquire skills to enable them perform their tasks effectively. In addition, the future leaders are imparted with knowledge on how they can be confident in the management of staff. In addition, the leaders are imparted with the right knowledge to be able to handle unfortunate tough situations, which may arise as the market trends change (Hase, 2007). From the leadership development programs, a substantial outlook towards commitment in work amid leaders is created. Managers and leaders are trained on how to best treat their workforce in a manner they will not feel dissatisfied thus resulting to the profitability of the organization. Further, the leaders are equipped with the ability to make important decisions to address any kind of challenges in their daily duties. Moreover, leadership development gives the leader an opportunity to understand the issue and problems of the employees and put emphasis on how they can address such issues. Further, it allows the leaders to understand the significance of motivating employees, which is key to employee productivity. It enhances proficiency of the leaders to mane prudent and quick determinations concerning the quality of work, conditions of the market, and plans of action and strategies of the company (Manuel, 2001). With improvements in the leadership skills, the leader develops a set of values concerning his corporate life as well as productivity, which assists him to become firm on decision-making and obligations. Apparently, leadership development does not only equip the leader with soft skills and the confidence to lead his workforce. Studies reveal that the leaders who go through the development program perfect information processing, delivery skills, customer service together with political as well as business acumen. The developed leaders are in a position to build strong partnerships, show implausible enthusiasm and drive, good management skills and get things done appropriately. Furthermore, the leader is imparted with a skill that enables them to study their new ideas in details and share them with the entire workforce of the company. Having good stewards of new ideas helps an organization to remain competitive over its rivals. The leader is also developed to also take risks and is prepared to handle them appropriately. Ultimately, leadership development also enhances the morale of the leaders. Studies indicate that this is the most obvious benefit but the hardest to be measured too. It is apparent that a poor leader makes his workers miserable and no miserable employee performs as expected (Manuel, 2001). Having the leaders go through the leadership development programs leads to a significant change in the organization as the working environment is made conducive. As a result, the company is able to enjoy a snowball of significant results. Conclusion This paper has aimed at reviewing development within the field of leadership and its success as well as usefulness. The paper has begun with the introduction to leadership. The term has been defined as a term used to refer to the procedure by which a person determines direction to be followed by others. However, due to the changing market environment, the world needs leaders who are going to lead with purpose, integrity, values as well as the leaders who will build lasting organizations and those who foster their workforce to serve their customers effectively and creating enduring value for their shareholders and thus the need for leadership development. Leadership development has been defined as the formal and informal training giving to the emerging and existing leaders with the aim of producing personnel over time with the right skills to effectively function within an organization. The success and usefulness of leadership development have been discussed to include boosting the morale of the leaders, their confidence and problem solving skills. In addition, leadership development enhances the leadership qualities of their leaders to improve their management and productiveness. References Avolio, B. J., 2003, Examining the full range model of leadership: Looking back to transform forward. In D. Day, & S. Zaccarro (Eds.), Leadership development for transforming organizations: Grow leaders for tomorrow (pp. 71–98). Mahwab, NJ7 Erlbaum Avolio, B. J., 2005, Leadership development in balance: Mahwah, NJ7 Lawrence Earlbaum Associates. Day, D.V., 2001, Leadership Development: A Review in Context. Leadership Quarterly, 11(4): 581-613. Hase, A. C., 2007, First-line Leadership Development: Its Impact on Organizational Performance Aboard United States Navy Ships. ProQuest Karylyn D. and Henderson, M. A., 2011, Why is Leadership Development important. Accessed on August 17, 2012.http://www.poimena.com/why-is-leadership-development-important/ Manuel L., 2001, Leadership Development: Paths To Self-insight and Professional Growth. London: Routledge, 2001 Read More