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“I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles, but today it means getting along with people” – Mahatma Gandhi.
What is the definition of a good leader?
Quite simply, a good leader is one who leads with passion, honesty, empathy, and dedication.
But, most importantly, a good leader leads by example.
Management gurus have written reams about the definition of leadership and the traits of successful leaders.
But what does it take to be a leader in the business world? Many believe being a leader means being an aggressive go-getter. But the truth is being a leader means knowing the dynamics of the group of people one is leading and supporting them in the face of challenges and difficulties.
A good leader has a finger on the pulse of the team. The definition of a good leader always entails strong emotional intelligence along with a charismatic personality. Being a leader also involves the ability to shoulder a host of difficult responsibilities.
It’s important to know what leadership is to meet your professional goals. As the business landscape changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leadership and the meaning of leadership are also likely to change.
The essential definition of leadership will still involve having a strategic vision for organizations, but being a leader will also mean some qualities will become more important.
Apart from the ability to motivate and guide people, being a leader will also require better crisis management and communication skills with remote teams. And being a leader of the future will require stronger team-building skills to bring virtual teams together.
What Is Leadership?
Leadership is a major topic of research and study in fields of psychology, sociology, economics, politics, and business. To know what is leadership it is important to understand the performance demands on the leader.
An organizational leader in a profit-making organization will have different priorities from a leader who acts for social change. To understand the meaning of leadership, it is important to understand the requirements of a leader and the importance of leadership in an organization.
The importance of leadership lies in the fact that good leadership is essential to business and government. And being a leader can transform the way we work and live altogether by motivating and encouraging people with a clear vision.
The following fundamental aspects of being a leader bring out the importance of leadership and leadership skills for the success of an organization.
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Eye On The Prize
The prime importance of leadership is that a good leader never loses sight of the goal. It is up to a good leader to ensure that all team activities are driven and directed towards the final goal. The meaning of leadership is to look at the big picture while setting short-term goals.
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Call To Action
Leaders are essential to the achievement of goals. They ensure effective and targeted action towards meeting goals. Good leaders are agreeable, resilient, and goal-driven. They can mobilize the team they lead to action. They can give orders in ways that are not coercive. The importance of leadership skills, therefore, lies in a leader’s action-oriented approach.
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Communication Is Key
Meeting long-term goals depends on clear and effective communication. The importance of leadership lies in having good cognitive and interpersonal skills to pull a team together. With high emotional and social intelligence, a leader ensures that individuals feel they are part of a greater cause.
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The Decision-Maker
The importance of leadership is in making smart and effective decisions. Decisiveness is an important leadership skill, especially during times of crisis. Leaders have to weigh the facts and risks to make an informed decision. Moreover, a leader also needs to stand firmly by their decisions.
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Motivation And Guidance
Among the goals of leadership is to motivate the team and keep up its morale. Kindness and empathy are two essential qualities of a good leader. These qualities ensure that every member can reach out to the leader in times of need for guidance, and the team gets continuous support from the leader.
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Coordination And Delegation
A good leader always delegates and never undermines the abilities of team members. He is the glue that holds the team together by delegating responsibilities to the right person and coordinating activities effectively. This ensures that all the work gets done smoothly.
Sociologists, psychologists, economists and political scientists have studied leaders extensively and found that almost always good leaders are the ones who are honest and authentic. To fully comprehend what is leadership along with the importance of leadership and the importance of leadership skills, one needs to understand that no success whether organizational, political, social or economic can be achieved without a leader.
No attempt to define leaders is the same as leaders have diverse personalities and respond differently. Harappa Education offers a course called Leading Self that helps you learn to understand yourself so you can understand what is leadership and the importance of leadership. Sign up to begin your leadership journey.
Explore our Harappa Diaries section to know more about topics related to the Lead habit such as Time Management, Resilience, Meaning of Humility, What is Self-Esteem, Career Development & Patience vs Self Control.
