LEADERSHIP

Strategic Management and Leadership Skills



Strategic Management and Leadership Skills

Introduction

Leadership is understood as a process or activity in which people are mobilized to create positive change. Attempting to bring about a change in any organization is a sensitive task. Numerous variables have to be taken into account while administering such a process. The importance of management in this delicate process can hardly be overemphasized. In this regard, the management styles, leadership skills, and strong planning and implementation are of utmost importance in determining whether a change can be permanently instilled or not for the effective working of employees and managers. Hence the role of management is critical in order to involve members of the organization in bringing about change. As a CEO the main task is to identify the need for skills to manage the overall organization to make sure the effective working. Complete involvement is necessary, and the administering of such a process demands high commitment from managers and a high degree of involvement and support from the employees.

Framework to Assess Leadership Skills

Rather than understanding leadership as a position or an inherent trait, leadership is understood as an activity or process that involves the development of certain skills or capacities. While leadership differs in many ways from management, it is imperative that both functions exist and complement one another. Leadership is ultimately what will lead to innovation and positive change, and management assists in this process (Allen and Hartman 2008, 10).

Audit of Leadership Skills

The skills that are more like know-how and special capabilities in Leaders include practical implementation and interpersonal collaboration. They are:

Communication skills (listening, expression, persuasion, dialogue).

The exercise of influence (interest and ability to use various sources of power such as "informal") (Rowe & Guerrero 2011, 45).

Conflict management (negotiation, mediation)

Group work (training and team building, development and use of networks of relationships)

The "direction" of people (clarifying expectations and rewards, delegation, stimulation, "coaching", etc).

Management and information flow.

Mental skills (analysis, synthesis, decision, problem solving, decision making, creativity)

Personal organization of work, time, stress, etc.

Self-Assessment

Being the CEO of the company I should take the core responsibility seriously. The skills required for the change should involve managing effectively and persuading the employees towards the company's profitability. The motivation is considered as the useful method to attract the employees and management to work for the company effectively and efficiently. Accordingly, there is a lack of common understanding as to what leadership is and what constitutes good leadership. Leadership is an important concept for professionals working in different organizations. As a professional, I can influence the management of the organization to engage in leadership or to enhance and demonstrate leadership skills. I will deliver mainly the concept that one must not be the CEO or a member of the board of directors to be a leader. Anyone can engage in leadership through being a committed, engaged, and hard-working member of the organization who is in touch with and acts in line with the organizational purpose and values (Buus 2005, ...