principal of business

• A leader is someone who has been given authority over a group of individuals.
• Leadership refers to the ability to influence others towards achieving common goals.
• Characteristics of effective leaders include: 

  • Integrity
  • Motivated to achieve 
  • Able to work under pressure 
  • Conscious of change 
  • Objective in decision making 
  • Energetic 
  • Determined and decisive 
  • Good communication skills
  • Intelligent
  • persisent
  • devoted and committed
  • Visionary and strategic thinker
• Integrity is important for a leader to possess this quality as it makes them trustworthy and credible
• Leadership styles are a combination of characteristics or traits, competences and skills, attitudes and behaviors that an individual use in a leadership role.
• AUTOCRATIC OR DIRECTIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE (AUTHORITARIAN) 

  The leader assumes responsibility and authority over the subordinates, workers or followers. 

  The leader makes decisions and issues orders for subordinates to follow. 

  This style is appropriate when managing a crisis situation in an organization
• Advantages of authoritarian /autocratic/ directive leadership

  Help inspire confidence in the worker as he/she is clear on what is to be achieved 

  The leader feels a sense of control over situations 

  Facilitates quick decision making 

  Helping in orienting new workers to unfamiliar situations
• Disadvantages of authoritarian /autocratic/ directive leadership

  It can cause the worker to experience frustration at not having control over work situations. 

  The worker can become dependent on the leader 

  Stifle worker initiative and creativity 

  Workers may have a lack of commitment to objectives
• DEMOCRATIC OR PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE 

  • The leader facilitates consultation and shares responsibilities with the followers or workers 
  • Shared decision making 
  • Promotes involvement and team work
• Advantages of DEMOCRATIC OR PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE

  • The leader is supported by the workers or followers Members are encouraged to contribute to decision making 
  • Results in greater commitment from members 
  • Encourages creativity among group members
• disadvantages of DEMOCRATIC OR PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE

  • Conflict in decision making between leader and followers 
  • Slower decision making process 
  • Does not work efficiently if workers are not competent or interested in tasks
• LAISSEZ-FAIRE LEADERSHIP STYLE 

  Also called ‘free rein’ where the leader assumes a passive role and lets workers make their own decisions about the work situation 

  The leader still engages in the overall goal setting and monitoring of workers 

  The leader is available when needed
• Advantages of laissez-faire

  • Workers are motivated as they have autonomy 
  • Opportunity for personal development with subordinates 
  • Can work effectively if workers possess expertise and training in their field of work 
• Disadvantages of laissez-faire

  There may be a lack of clear direction and workers may get caught up in irrelevant activities 

  The work may not get done and the leader will eventually have to step in
• CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE 


  A leader who motivates and inspires followers or workers because of his or her strong personality.
• advantage of CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE

  Able to motivate subordinates to achieve a vision
• Disadvantages of CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE

  Conflict may occur as individuals compete to be close to the leader 

  The leader may not possess the skills needed to effectively lead in difficult situations
• TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP STYLE 

  • A style of leadership that facilitates change in response to challenges faced by organization
• Advantages of TRANSFORMATIONALEADERSHIP STYLE

  1. Encourages innovation, creativity and learning in the organization 
  2. Allows for risk to be taken to facilitate growth 
  3. Workers are encouraged to learn and make decisions in defined areas
• DISADVANTAGES OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP STYLE

  1. Risky in terms of decision that may be taken 
  2. If the leader is not clearly informed, he/she may not understand the type of change needed 
  3. Can be met with high resistance by some There is no one ‘best’ style of leadership.
• Conflict: 

  Behavior intended to obstruct the achievement of some other person’s goals. Conflict can be described as a dispute or disagreement that prevents individual or organizational goals from being achieved.
• INTERNAL SOURCES OF CONFLICT 

  1. Differences in perception
  2. Limited resources
  3. Departmentalization and Specialization
  4. The Nature of Work Activities 
  5. Role conflict 
  6. Unequal or inequitable treatment
  7. Individual differences 
  8. Informal Groups 
  9. Organization issues
  10. Age Gap
• NEGATIVE OR DYSFUNCTIONAL WAYS OF DEALING WITH CONFLICT 

  A lock out, where the owners or managers intentionally refuse entry to the compound to employees. 

  The use of labor or temporary labor to cover striking employees during industrial disputes. 

  Threats of dismissal or disciplinary action against workers who dispute the actions of management. 

  Management refuses to recognize the legitimate trade union and therefore, refuses to negotiate with the employees’ representatives.
• Employees may employ or use the following adversarial tactics in dealing with conflict:

  1. Sit in is a situation where workers are present on the plant site or compound but refuse to go to perform their tasks
  2. Sick out is a situation where workers collectively take sick leave to disrupt the functioning of the organization.
  3. Strike action or refusal to perform the job accompanied by demonstrations and organized protest actions.
• THIRD PARTY INVOLVEMENT STRATEGIES TO RESOLVE CONFLICT 

  Mediation

  Arbitration

  Conciliation

  Trade Union Representation
• STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING CONFLICT 

  1. Clarification of goals and objectives
  2. Resource Distribution 
  3. Develop proper policies and procedures
  4. Group Activities
  5. Leadership and Management
• TRADE UNION 

  A trade union is an organization made up of members (employees) in various occupations, trades or professions.
• The key function of the trade union is to represent the interests of workers. The trade union seeks to promote the interest of workers through the process of collective bargaining.
• ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS 

  1. Act as a pressure group to influence government decision making 
  2. Negotiate for better or more competitive salaries and wages 
  3. Set regulatory standards for some unions
  4. Provide additional services to members management workshops 
  5. Seek the welfare of workers and the wider society 
  6. Promote a system of democracy for electing union officials; ensure the participation of workers in the workplace
• MOTIVATION 

  Management is responsible for creating an environment whereby the individual needs such as physical well-being, job satisfaction, personal development, achievement and respect are reconciled with the organizational needs
• FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING MEMBERS OF TEAMS 

  A manager or team leader can consider the following factor when deciding on the composition of an effective team: 

  Compatibility of team members 

  Goal to be accomplished 

  The ages of team members 

  Cultural and religious differences 

  The prospective team member’s interest in the particular task 

  Qualifications and experience
• Team

  A group of persons who come together to achieve a particular goal or to accomplish a particular task
• Teamwork

  A group of persons working together, interacting, communicating to accomplish a particular goal.
• a leader’s style can be contingent or situational.
• Conflict can be described as a dispute or disagreement that prevents individual or organizational goals from being achieved.