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Entrepreneurship/Leadership/Innovation- MGT 2251Y UNIT 6: LEADERSHIP THEORIES, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT Unit Structure 6.0 Overview 6.1 Learning objectives 6.2 Introduction 6.3 Definitions 6.4 Leadership Theories – Business Leadership 6.4.1 Leadership Theories 6.4.2 Person-Based Theories 6.4.2.1 Trait Theory 6.4.2.2 Behavioural theories 6.4.2.3 Autocratic and Democratic Leadership 6.4.3 Situational Theories 6.4.3.1 Fiedler’s Contingency Model 6.4.3.2 Path-Goal Theory 6.4.4 Dispersed Theories 6.4.4.1 Self-leadership 6.4.5 Exchange Theories 6.4.5.1 Transactional and Transformational Leadership 6.4.5.2 Characteristics of Transactional and Transformational Leaders 6.5 Leadership and Management 6.5.1 Sources of power in management/leadership position 6.5.2 Typical Characteristics of Effective Management and Leadership 6.5.3 Leadership v/s Management 6.6 Training in leadership 6.6.1 Transformational leadership training: an example 6.6.2 Leaders developing leaders 1 Entrepreneurship/Leadership/Innovation- MGT 2251Y 6.6.3 Behaviour Modelling 6.7 Summary 6.8 References 6.0 OVERVIEW The definitions of leadership highlight a number of related issues including vision, a team approach, action orientation and a sensitivity to both people and the business environment. Leaders are seen as agents of change. They are people who both teach (coach) and learn. Entrepreneurial leadership is seen more as a transformational leadership style although it is expected that entrepreneurs both lead and manage their organisations. 6.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this Unit, you should be able to do the following: 1. Define leadership. 2. Analyse leadership theories and their applications. 3. Distinguish between leadership and management characteristics. 4. Explain the sources of power in leadership positions. 5. Achieve an understanding that leadership skills can be taught and therefore be learnt. 6.2 INTRODUCTION Introductory quote from Sir Richard Branson: “Even though I’m often asked to define my business philosophy, I generally won’t do so because I don’t believe it can be taught as a recipe. These aren’t ingredients and techniques that will guarantee success. Parameters exist that, if followed, will ensure a business can continue, but you cannot clearly define business or business success and 2 Entrepreneurship/Leadership/Innovation- MGT 2251Y then bottle it as a perfume. It’s not that simple: to be successful you have to be out there, you have to hit the ground running, and if you have a good team around you and more than your fair share of luck you might make something happen” (Source: Burns, 2005). Undisputedly, no “ingredient or techniques will guarantee success”. Branson even mentions chance, which others call it serendipity in this context. However, beyond the debate of whether leaders are born or made, a careful study of leadership theories brings us to the conclusion that the truth of leadership may lie somewhere between the influence of genetic constitution and as a consequence of training developing of leaders/managers in leadership skills. Together with vision, entrepreneurial leaders develop a management style that promotes an entrepreneurial culture, which motivates individuals to perform and achieve. They build an effective management team that is empowered to manage change in a turbulent business environment where risk, ambiguity and uncertainty are prevalent. 6.3 DEFINITIONS According to Timmons (1999), entrepreneurial leaders are “capable of instilling tangible visions and managing for the long haul……….. at once a leader and a teacher, a doer and a visionary”. This description combines vision and action and further has a strategic long-term perspective. It also emphasises that the leader is not born with all the qualities but will learn by doing. Scarborough & Zimmerer (2006), describe a business leader as someone who displays “a willingness to remain open to the changes in both people and ‘things’, a deep commitment to the long term well being of employees and to their needs, and a high level of sensitivity”. This definition highlights the emotional intelligence aspect of business leadership (as mentioned later in transformational leadership) and has a human relations approach. Apart 3 Entrepreneurship/Leadership/Innovation- MGT 2251Y from sensitivity to people, reference is made to sensitivity to changes in ‘things’, i.e., the business environment. Overconfident CEO’s often fail to see changes in the environment, thinking they have learnt all that has to be known. “Their confidence blinds them to information that is contrary to a decided course of action. For example, overconfident CEO’s tend to charge ahead with mergers and acquisitions even though they are aware that most acquisitions destroy shareholder value”. (Wheelen & Hunger, 2008). The above definitions stress the need for long-term vision and visualise leaders both as learners and coach. As for any other discipline, leadership can be learnt, based on conceptualisations drawn from experience of others, for example, through leadership theories and their application into skills. 6.4 LEADERSHIP THEORIES – BUSINESS LEADERSHIP 6.4.1 Leadership Theories Over the years there has been much research to understand what makes an effective leader. Can leadership skills be learned or are people just “born” with them? These and other questions have led to the development of a variety of leadership theories. There is probably not one theory that is the best and most accurate. Still, much can be learned about being an effective leader from an understanding of the different theories. 6.4.2 Person-Based Theories 6.4.2.1 Trait Theory Certain traits or personal characteristics may come to mind, such as self-confidence, emotional resilience, honesty, and determination and communication skills, that is, a set of characteristics that distinguishes leaders from non-leaders. 4
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