Leading by example

In our fast-changing environment with open markets, global competition and electronic commerce, organisations` priorities change frequently, requiring minor or at times major adjustments.

Although the rewards are high, it may well be said that a position of leadership is not at all an easy one.

Jill Hamlyn, MD, The People Business

To compete successfully and prosper in this environment means higher quality, an increase in productivity at the same time as lowering costs and allowing all stakeholders to share corporate wealth.

As John Kotter of the Harvard Business School said: "Leadership is the process of moving a group of people in a direction that is genuinely in their long-term interest."

Organisations striving for excellence make sure that their critical success factors and business goals are communicated to and understood by all employees. With this managers are under increased pressure to provide outstanding leadership which will hopefully result in increased staff performance and profitability.

Effective leadership coupled with shared business goals communicated to all employees will enable managers to retain and further develop their valuable IT human resources skills. What does effective leadership entail?

Effective leadership as a manager incorporates the following goals:

• .         The ability to see the larger picture, to articulate and have the courage to pursue one`s vision. A leader needs to be able to point the way forward.
• .         To think freshly and creatively. The challenge here is to discipline your thinking by putting your ideas onto paper.
• .         Setting realistic goals and maintaining commitment in seeing them through to completion. You and your employees need to achieve and sustain commitment to a mission in order for peak performance to be reached.
• .         Questioning traditional methods and differentiating between real and imaginary obstacles. Focus on the challenge at hand and sift out priorities from other not-too-important demands
• .         Adapting and embracing change. Remember that change can be used to your advantage.

Leadership should be synonymous with a strong value system with elements such as integrity, fairness and respect for the individual and sensitivity for cultural diversity - a quality especially important in SA today. This is significant in light of the changing labour legislation.

Employees appreciate a decisive leader, especially one who ensures that the decision is soundly based and not impulsive. Such actions garner respect for and trust in the decision-making capabilities of the leader. Employers can set the right tone by their actions and beliefs, allowing for the creation of a clear and consistent team structure.

Within the team, leaders are faced with the challenge of recognising employees` "hot buttons" - the motivating factors of those team members who stand out and shine. This means identifying unique skills of individuals and the circumstances under which they will perform at their peak, thereby helping them to achieve their full potential.

At the same time leaders are challenged to display concern and respect towards all individuals in the team, taking their emotions, aspirations, attitudes, opinions and feelings into account.

To quote Bill Gates: "Leaders will be those who empower others. Each individual can make a difference and play a leadership role. Empowering leadership means bringing out the energy and capabilities people have and getting them to work together in a way they wouldn`t do otherwise."

Although the rewards are high, it may well be said that a position of leadership is not at all an easy one. Team members may criticise their leader, but until they are in a similar position themselves, they cannot comprehend the challenges and difficulties that go with the territory.

Vision, shared goals and empowerment are pre-eminent qualities needed to be a truly successful leader in the future. The best leaders make winners of all they lead, having a clear knowledge of where they are going and a plan to get there.

It is vital that a leader commits to a mission and captures the imagination of followers. Strong leadership is the essence of business success. To win you need to be a good leader - or at least work for one.