LEADERSHIP AND ITS QUALITY

LEADERSHIP QUALITY

Leadership is one of the hottest topic on the business world, with Million of publication on the subject, from books to blogs to articles. I have gathered some of the leadership qualities that I believe are possessed by many of greatest leaders in Nigeria and formed the list below. Before we look at the qualities, I will first of all define leadership.

Leadership has been described as a” process of social influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task” for examples, some understand a leader simply as somebody whom people follow or as somebody who guides or directs others while others define leadership as “Organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal.

QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP

1.   HONESTY: the foundation of any relationship both personal and professional is honesty. People want to work for a leader that has morals, value and integrity. They want to work for a company that officers a great product or service they can believe in. and that has an honourable reputation examples to the early leaders of Nigeria that possess this qualities are:

i.             Dr. Namdi Azikwe

ii.            Sir Ahmadu Bello

iii.          Tafawabalewa

iv.          Chief Obafemi Awolowo

v.           Gen. Mustapha Mohammadu

vi.          Gen. Mohammadu Buhari

This are Nigerian leaders that lives an exemplary and discipline life

2.   COMMUNICATION:without clear communication your employees or followers won’t understand your mission, goals and vision employees want to work toward the same goals. Communication should also be consistent in establishing work expectation, giving constructive feedback and in training new employees with great communication, your employee will know exactly what they are for example: a clear and non-ambiguous uses of words to communication and quality control of languages to communicate are exhibited in leadership of Alhaji Dr. Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari first civilian democratically elected president of Nigeria who was send to have operated an open door policy that guaranteed loan work and management by objectives (MBO)

3.   CONFIDENCE:when thing go wrong employees or followers look to you for the answer and judge the situation based upon your reaction even if the company is experiencing a major down turn its important to always be confident, calm and be the example you should be for your team. If you are not confident with the organization in a situation then be confident in your own leadership skill. Examples; Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo is one leader that monster confidence and built confidence in the Nigerian people that guaranteed security and Job Security.

4.  INSPIRATION:whether you are starting a new business or you are leading a team at a business that is already been established, it’s important to het employees invested in the vision and future of the company. Through inspiration often looks forward to the future, its also important for the present. It give employee a reason to work to succeed and to do their best in everything inspiration and they will be loyal, hard- working employees. Example leadership under General Yakubu Gowon was inspirational because he always wants to make Nigerians to believe in the oneness of Nigerian and that we are greater together.

5.   POSITIVITY:Regardless of the situation, always stays positive. Positivity is essential to productivity, employee’s happiness and work environment when mistake are made, even if they are serious. It important to look at the right side of thing through it would be easy to get upset and lash out you are setting the tone for the work day and our attitude directly affects those under your leadership. Leadership at all levels must strive toward ensuring positive action that is essentially tied to mission and vision of the organization.

6.   DELEGATION:If there is a highly important project it can be difficult to trust employees without micromanaging. Trusting them to do the best possible work is a sign of strength in your leadership and will encourage them to live up to your expectations when it come to delegation the idea is to decide what strength each employees possesses and to assign them successfully will lead to  higher quality work and higher productivity. For faster growth and development delegation of responsibility and authority is most appropriate, hence have work is encouraging  e.g The responsibility of Mr. President on education is delegate through the minister of education , executive secretary NBT, the Rector, Deans to heads of department.

7.   COMMITMENT:nothing show commitment and humility like getting your hand dirty with the rest of the workers, showing your commitment sets the example for others to follow and leads a greater loyalty and respect for you as a leader always be committed in whatever you do together it is a promise to have a holiday party, a day off, or a meeting time you are the spotlight as a leader and you will be judged harder for your action that others will be set the tone of commitment and others will follow suit.

8.   HUMAN:although not a requirements, a sense of humour goes a long way in leadership. It helps create a positive working environment and enhance the feeling of camera advices, warren Buffets for examples; once said “I buy expensive suit they just look cheap on me” your unique personality and sense of humour shows your employee that you are more that a leaders and that you are not a machine, which encourages them to clear understanding of workplace and the meant at work. The leaders understand absolutely the plight of an employee with respect to his/her disposition to achieving objectives.

9.   CREATIVITY:Some decisions have to be made quickly and catch us by surprise in times like these, it up to you to think outside the box to find a solution. Your team will be looking to you in this situation for guidance, so a quick decision must also be an good decision for example: a leader identity with the change in technology and he is more innovative and proactive solving problems

10.                INTUITION:Sometimes we are presented with situation that are not in the textbooks and for which you might not be prepared as a leader the first decision is not always the best on and taking your time to come up with unique solution can be in the best interest of your workers and organization.