Sociology

Leadership is a fundamental tool in the modern-day world and effectiveness of leadership can, to a greater extent, influence the effectiveness of performance in an entire organization. However, the incapability of leaders to put in order and manage effectively the ability of the organization in many times leads to the decline in performance of the organization and may result to a reflective internal crisis (Bennis, 1989). Generally, present-day leaders should equip themselves with a broad range of qualities and traits that add up to their effective role and management of any given organization or business unit. First of all, it may be noted that the modern-day leaders should arm themselves with traditional leadership characteristics such as charisma, the ability to unite people and induce them to hold up decisions made by the leader (Bennis, 1989). In this way, such traditional personality makes the leader to utilize the power which is not based on his formal leadership authority but on his individual authority. In such a scenario, the ceremonial authority of the leader may rather be complementary than the domineering authority (Bennis, 1989).

It is true that one can not just become a leader by posing to be one. Having followers does not make one a great leader. People have tried to woo followers but all in vain. This means there are qualities that distinguishes one to be good leader. Leadership is a winning combination of individual traits and the power to act and think as a leader. Leadership requires that one works to it. One can transform himself to a leader by following simple steps (Bennis, 1989). Being proactive is the core of leadership but most leaders tends to be reactive instead. It involves identifying possible problems and working towards them before they reach crisis proportional. To be effective in leadership one needs to have vision. It is the vision of a leader that gives direction. Without vision, efforts in planning do not make sense. As a leader one must have a clear vision statement which incorporates ones passion and dreams (Bennis, 1989).

 Excelling in leadership involves sharing ones vision. By doing so, the growth of vision and development of ones leadership is ensured. If people recognize one as an individual with potential of leadership, this inspires ones leadership skills grows. Besides this, a leader should be in a position to inspire others. This is a vivid indication that leadership can only be defined through actions and not mere words (Covey, 1992).

For example, if one is asked to give two people whose leadership inspires them There is a possibility that the answer will be followed by reasons or things through which the leader has actually inspired in ones life. The lesson here is that for one to develop ones leadership skills, he or she has to walk, react and live his or her vision always.  It is in this way that ones need for integrity comes in. Being a leader is duly expensive. It takes commitment and persistent effort to develop the leadership skills. A positive attitude is needed for one to grow step by step in leadership (Normand and Harry, 1996).

In conclusion, good leadership is significant to any business success.  Ones efforts to improve ones leadership skills would be rewarded amply. The present-day leader should be in a position to manage and effectively handle the whole organization. This implies that the modern-day leader should have qualities and traits which are more typical for a general manager than just a leader (Normand and Harry, 1996). In respect to this, it should be noted that the leader should be in a position to plan, manage, develop effective strategic plans, and control the organizations performance and its development plan. These are pivotal characteristics of the functioning and effectiveness of a manager. Currently, such traits are crucial for a leader as well since purely leadership qualities are not sufficient enough for the effective functioning of any organization (Covey, 1992).