Authentic Leadership Throughout History, Effective

Authentic Leadership

Throughout history, effective leadership has been playing a major role in determining the underlying amounts of motivation and clarity that an organization will have. This is because everyone will look at the management, to determine the most appropriate course of action for dealing with a variety of situations. In this research project, we are examining the role that leadership will play in deciding how successful a company will be in the future.

Over the last several years, the issue of effective leadership has been continually brought to the forefront. Part of the reason for this, is because of the various scandals that have been highlighting a lack of leadership inside many different organizations. Once this occurs, it could have an impact on the attitudes and activities of many staff members. At which point, a company can become involved in a variety of situations that may have an effect on the economic viability of the organization moving forward. This is the point, when the actions and views of managers will face increased amounts of scrutiny.

A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than Enron. What happened was the top leadership inside the organization, (i.e. Jeff Skilling and Ken Lay) encouraged executives to engage in actions that will increase their overall bottom line dramatically. However, the problem is that this attitude caused the company to become involved in many projects that had high amounts of risk.

This is troubling, because it meant that the number of losses began to increase exponentially when the economy was slowing in early 2000. To hide this from investors, the leadership was focused on special purpose entities (SPEs). These are off the books limited partnerships that were designed to limit the overall impact on the bottom line of the company (which is illegal under various securities regulations). Once the economy was slowing, the losses began to increase and Enron was continuing to hide even more of them in the various SPE's. (Fox, 2003, pp. 247 -- 286)

This is significant, because it is showing how: the lack of effective leadership can take the strongest of organizations and force them into bankruptcy. To fully understand the best tactics that can be utilized inside a corporation requires: examining authentic leadership, if every manger needs to be a leader, how they are able to effectively mange other people and the different ways you can lead an organization (despite having tremendous amounts of authority). This will be accomplished through conducting a literature review on successful management principals. Once this takes place, it will provide specific insights about how effective leadership will have an impact on a variety of organizations.

Literature Review

In your opinion, what does it take to become an authentic leader who people want to follow?

According to Northouse (2011), authentic leadership involves a number of different principals to include: having effective traits, abilities, skills and consistently practicing these ideas on a regular basis. Having effective traits is when an individual is bringing with them, select elements that will influence their ability to effect others. As, they have an attitude of confidence, which is used to: help inspire everyone around them regarding possible challenges that they are facing. (Northouse, 2011, pp. 3 -- 10)

Ability is when the individual will have various attributes that will support the leadership traits they have. A good example of this can be seen with someone, who is good at speaking in front large groups by: inspiring them with their sense of purpose and vision. This is important, because this helps to build their ability to effectively communicate their ideas. (Northouse, 2011, pp. 3 -- 10)

Skills are when the person will know how to use these abilities to motivate people to go the extra mile. For example, good leaders have access to a wide variety of resources that they can utilize to help them solve various problems. As, they know how and when to apply them. This is used to inspire everyone to make a difference, when it seems like nothing is going to work. (Northouse, 2011, pp. 3 -- 10)

Consistently practicing these ideas is when, an individual will use the combination of: having effective traits, abilities and skills to influence everyone around them. As, they will have: tremendous amounts of courage and conviction during situations when the outcome may not be entirely clear. This is important, because their ability to consistently use these elements is what will create positive, long-term changes in an organization. Over the course of time, this will instill a sense of vision and clarity about the future among staff members. At which point, they will be motivated to something extra for the benefit of the company itself. (Northouse, 2011, pp. 3 -- 10)

When you step back and analyze these different elements, it is clear that an authentic leader is someone who will possess these factors. This is because, they are a part of a larger effort to motivate and inspire everyone around them by consistently embracing these principals. Once this occurs, it means that an individual has the ability to create a sense of purpose in staff members. This is the point that they are willing to do more than what is required for the benefit of the organization. As the ability to address these issues, is creating a sense of inspiration and desire.

Why is leadership portrayed in terms of how managers manage people?

According to Rosenberg, (2009) mangers are playing an integral part in determining how effective an organization is able to meet its different objectives. The reason why, is because they are creating the atmosphere in the work environment based upon: the attitudes that they are projecting and the relationship that they have with staff members underneath them. This will have an impact on the way they manage people by: either creating sense of motivation or it can cause employees to begin to think only of themselves. (Rosenberg, 2009, pp. 40 -- 52)

Once this takes place, is when the leadership will have an impact on how effectively they will manage those underneath them. The reason why, is because executives are portrayed in terms of how well they manage people based upon: their influences in the workplace. Over the course of time, this will have an effect on the ability of the organization to adapt to: the various challenges that they are facing and the underlying profit margins. (Rosenberg, 2009, pp. 40 -- 52)

This is significant, because it is showing how leadership will depend upon the attitudes and views of managers. At which point, many staff members will begin following the way they are reacting to a host of situations. This will have an effect on the long-term success of the company and their ability to evolve with the various changes that are occurring (which will have an impact on the bottom line of the organization).

How can you lead people, when you have the authority to tell them what to do?

Robbins (1999) believes that effective leadership will take place when an organization has managers that are willing to inspire employees. The reason why, is because many supervisors will often treat staff members as inferior to them. This is due to the fact that they have tremendous amounts of leverage over these individuals. Once this occurs, it means that they will develop a sense of resentment towards executives. As, they do not appreciate them throwing around their authority and the way that they are constantly belittled every single day. (Robbins, 1991, pp. 104 -- 106)

Over the course of time, this will cause productivity to decline with many employees doing just enough to get by. This is the point, when motivation levels will continue to remain low. As the staff is viewing the actions of management with contempt and they are unwilling to go the extra mile. (Robbins, 1991, pp. 104 -- 106)

To prevent this from happening, Robbins suggests that supervisors take a different approach when working with staff members. The best way to motivate employees is to work with them and show respect for their ideas. This will help to create a sense of motivation, while not having managers overly exert their authority. Instead, this strategy is concentrating on creating a sense of camaraderie and it will improve communication. This will allow everyone to work together as a team, which will help to increase productivity and profitability. (Robbins, 1991, pp. 104 -- 106)

When you step back and analyze this approach, it is clear that this can be used as a way to effectively improve productivity. As, managers are not utilizing their power to push employees to: meet the various objectives of the organization. Instead, they must focus on having everyone work together as part of a team. This is accomplished by: improving communication and having managers encourage everyone to do more. Once this take place, it means that they will be effective at motivating employees and creating a sense of unity.