Leadership

Leadership is the process of influencing people so that they work willingly and enthusiastically towards the organisation's goals. The key word is willingly: influence, not force.

Features: it is the ability to influence others; it tries to change their behaviour; it shows interpersonal relations between leader and followers; it aims at common goals; and it is continuous. Followers matter too: they help make a person a good leader.

Why it matters: a leader gets people to contribute positively; supports and guides followers; helps introduce change; handles conflicts; and trains future leaders.

Leadership styles:

• Autocratic (authoritarian): the leader gives orders and expects them to be obeyed; communication is one-way. Decisions are quick, but people may feel afraid and unwilling.
• Democratic (participative): the leader consults subordinates and involves them in decisions, then decides. People feel valued.
• Laissez-faire (free-rein): the leader uses power only when essential; followers set their own objectives and solve their own problems. It suits capable, self-driven teams.

Good leaders often combine styles, choosing the one that fits the situation and the people.