Assignment 2: A Public Leader

The position where a person with legal rights holds or uses a public office to serve and lead a group of people or a community as a whole is known as public leadership.

Leadership theories that define leadership

Trait leadership theories

The qualities of a person define trait theories. This theory argues that some people are born with some aspects of leadership to do what pertains their leadership. Study show leadership is made up of some characteristics or traits which are (Lewin 1939 in Robbins; Chemers 1997):

· The need for power

· Assertive

· Intelligence

· Trustworthy

· Ability to motivate a person

· Self confident

This theory shows that leaders need some certain characteristics whether in classroom, company or war. Some situations may demand more than one trait that differs to the situation which the other leader holds.

Situational leadership theories

This theory supports different type of styles exercised by leaders. Situation to situation changes are needed in this type of leadership. The theory allows leaders who adapt quickly to changes in different situations to be hired more quickly. It is not enough to have different type of leadership styles, the leader should know how to apply the styles to influence and take control of the people.

Leadership styles that define public leader

· Participative style

It is also known as democratic leadership style, the style puts into consideration peers and member team input where participative leaders make the final decision. By employees contributing towards decision making this leadership style improves employee morale. Whenever a company reorganizes its operation this style enables employees to adapt quickly to company changes since they were involved towards decision making.

· Transformative style

This leadership style involves levels and means of communication for management to achieve goals and objectives. Employees motivation can be enhanced by leaders this improves efficiency and productivity in an organization through visibility and high communication. For the management to meet objectives and goals transformative style is required.

The reason or rationale for question one is that leadership can be taught, also leadership is a gift which a person is born with. A person can teach himself or herself how to be trustworthy which justifies leadership can be taught. Ability to motivate others and the need for power forms a strong rationale on theories of leadership. The traits can be integrated from one theory to another.

2. Assess the effectiveness of the two (2) leadership theories from Question 1. Provide two (2) examples for each leadership theory. 

Assessment of trait leadership theory

Traditional views and common assessments of leadership have assessed many theories to what can be developed out of effective leadership theories. In this 21st century leadership focuses on peers, followers, supervisors, culture and work environment but does not focus on leader only. The traits of leadership exhibited by a person cannot be compared with leadership since leadership is more than that. Various models of leadership have been depicted that are rational in social work multilevel dynamic.

· Complexity leadership and trait theory

This is an effective model leadership theory which challenges leadership viewpoint as leaders think leadership is hierarchical to the firm. The theory suggests leaders can interact and execute their leadership at any level of organization.

· Shared trait theory

Shared trait theory argues that leadership develops across a person’s lifespan where dynamic of the team evolves on basis of processes, inputs and outputs. Individual talents are utilized by the mentioned leadership style, knowledge and skills in a group of people effort helps to achieve objectives and goals of the firm (Dulewicz, V. & Higgs, M. 2008)

Assessment of situational leadership theories

Effective leadership is very important in any firm’s goals and objectives. In an organization the message is communicated by the leaders who motivate workers and delegate jobs to them. Managers’ personality determines styles of leadership where a firm can select good leaders with excellent personality styles that coordinate group needs. An organization should employ a firm manager who exercises situational leadership style, this changes to the needs of employees (Daft, R.L. & Lane, P.G. 2011)

We can consider two sub theories in assessing situational leadership theories, which are:

· Motivation

Provision of support to employees according to what they need creates a favorable environment where employees can air their views to the top management. Employees are guaranteed with support and coaching which motivates employees in performing their duties well.

· Employee retention

Motivation and morale play a great role towards workers retention policy. The cost of hiring and firing is higher than the cost or retaining workers. Organizations find themselves with higher turnover costs when recruiting and training to replace the fired workers in a company. Support and morale can help a situational leader in a company to reduce turnover of employees (Vroom, V.H. & Yetton, P.W. 2010)

3. Assess the effectiveness of the two (2) leadership styles from Question 1. Provide two (2) examples for each leadership style. 

Styles of leadership are possible upon different situations and employees, and range broadly from employee oriented to trait style of leadership. The set of five leadership perspectives are: Behavior; competencies; contingency; transformational and implicit, the paper broadly examines democratic/participative (people oriented) and autocratic /directive/transformative (task oriented) styles of leadership (Alvesson, M. & Sveningsson, S. 2013). This paper asses the most renowned and popular theories of leadership and discusses effectiveness of different styles.

Example of participative leadership style

Take an example where in a company the manager wants to develop awareness plan of HIV/AIDS. The managers calls employees for a meeting where brainstorming is needed, due to this participative team work proper awareness plan is developed.

Example of Transformative leadership style

Total quality control and outsourcing are examples of transformative leadership style. Efficiency of various organizations is created as a result of outsourcing; the effectiveness may be high profits, quality of products and total customer satisfaction.

References list