13 - Leadership

The group leader initiates and organizes action as well as guides activities. The leader has the greatest influence on the members of the group. The leader must direct the group toward goals that are appropriate and satisfying. The leader must ensure that group goals do not run counter to goals of people outside the group or endanger the welfare of society. The leader has tremendous responsibilities both to those people within the group and those outside of it.

An effective leader has a double workload. The leader directs the energies of the group toward the attainment of certain goals. In addition, the leader displays an awareness of the social emotional needs of the group.

The popular view that some people are born leaders because they inherit certain qualities that make them good leaders is not accepted by experts in the field. People learn to be leaders by studying and consciously practising good leadership techniques. Role playing may be part of a leadership training program. A participant is asked to assume an imaginary leadership role. Skills are discussed and analyzed for the purpose of making improvements. By doing such an exercise, the leader in training acquires the technical skills to take charge effectively of a group. Further, the leader gains important insights into the attitudes and feelings connected with this special position.

Why do certain individuals attain positions of leadership? There are many different possibilities. The leadership-situation hypothesis suggests that someone assumes a position of authority through a combination of factors related to a particular situation. For example, in an emergency an individual who is not overcome by panic might step forward to take charge of the situation. These people may be looked upon as heroes of the crisis. Their term of leadership may be short or long-term depending on the nature of the problem.

The leadership-characteristics hypothesis proposes that leadership positions are earned by those people who have the special charismatic qualities and organizational skills that appeal to the followers. For example, the captain of the hockey or football team is usually someone who has the respect of the other team members.

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Leadership Styles

Every leader has a slightly different style of leadership.

A democratic leader works with group members through team work. Democratic leaders give guidance and direction to the group, but they also participate as members of the group. They usually have a positive effect on the group. Because the opinions of the members are respected through the democratic process, the results are happy, efficient, and dedicated workers. Democratic leaders are group-minded. They bring out the best in their group, and they are usually the most highly regarded of all the leaders.

The autocratic leader remains aloof from the group but directs its activities with a firm hand. Autocratic leaders give detailed instructions to the group, but they do not participate to help the group achieve its goals. Groups under the supervision of autocratic leaders can have feelings of hostility and aggression as well as discontent that do not appear on the surface. Group members are dependent and are obedient to the leader more from fear than loyalty. When autocratic leaders are absent from the group for a while, the members may stop working.

The laissez-faire leader is usually very passive. The philosophy of the laissez-faire leader is to let things go as they will. Laissez-faire leaders give information if asked, but they don’t exert much influence on the group. With a weak leader, the group may play more than it works. Group members may work for their own interests rather than the goals of the group.

Distinguishing a Good Leader

Here are some of the qualities of a good leader.

• Leaders exhibit strong intelligence, judgment, social awareness, assessment and evaluation of skills, and sensitivity to needs.
• Leaders have responsibility, self-confidence, determination, and conviction.
• Leaders are sociable, actively involved, flexible in their perspective, and maintain a sense of humour.
• Leaders have some degree of status and popularity in the group.
• Leaders often have a good record of athletic achievement.
• Leaders are the most vocal and articulate members of the group.

Of course, even some of the best leaders do not possess all of these qualities. Often secondary leaders emerge within the group to supplement some of the skills found lacking in the main leader.