Basic Features of Leadership

Basic Features of Leadership

(i) In the management literature

Every manager is a leader acting as such, while performing his job at the directing stage.

(ii) Leadership is a process of Interpersonal influence

It is basically a process of the leader influencing the performance and behavior of subordinates; through, at times, the leader might, he, get influenced by the superb performance of the led i.e., the followers.

(iii) Leadership is a mix of inspiration, motivation and communication

In fact, the process of influencing the behavior and performance of followers through inspiring them is undertaken against a background of appropriate motivation, and mutual understanding within the workgroup generated through a free-flow of communication. If that is not so, the leader might fail in his mission of inspiring subordinates; when the latter lack motivation and further, when there is no proper understanding among people; owing to a poor communication system.

(iv) Leadership aims at the pursuit of common goals

In a way, that the interests of, individual and those, of the organization, both, are best served.

(v) Leadership is a continuous managerial exercise

It is a process of influencing the behavior and performance of followers throughout the organizational life. Whenever, during organizational life, leadership becomes poor or hopeless; the performance of people, accordingly, turns into a mere routine functioning on the part of most of them.

(vi) Leadership is not bossism

A leader cannot afford to be an autocrat all the time. He has to mix liberalism and paternalism with authoritarianism at appropriate junctures -- to respond to the demands of the situation.

(vii) By and large, leadership is situational

In fact, the role of leadership assumes a critical significance in extra-ordinary situations facing the work-group; where a leader is expected to inspire followers to overcome the hurdles of the situation and drive them to victorious performances.