Importance of Leadership

Importance of Leadership

Importance of leadership could be analyzed as under:

(a) Primary significance of leadership.

(b) Other points of significance.

Let us comment on the importance of leadership as per the above-suggested system of analysis.

(a) Primary significance of Leadership

Primary significance of leadership lies in leading people to give their superb performance towards thc attainment of common objectives through zeal, enthusiasm and dedication. Leadership accentuates the process of motivation to its logical extent by stimulating followers to five performances much above their potential capabilities; producing miracles for the attainment of the common objectives.

(b) Other points of significance

Some of the major points in favor of the significance of leadership could be stated as follows:

(i) Achieving cooperation through team work

A leader by virtue of his leadership talents emphasizes on followers the utility of teamwork, in. successfully achieving common objectives. He thus induces followers to work with whole-hearted cooperation: and achieve results, which could not otherwise, be obtained. History of the Pakistani freedom fighting struggle would bear out this fact as to how the Pakistanis, under the inspiring leadership of Quad-e-Azam drove the English out of the country; just working with a sense of cooperation.

(ii) Emphasizing oh unity of objectives

A leader would help followers appreciate unity of objectives i.e. how the individual objectives are united with the common objectives; it is much likely that they start working for common objectives, with a sense of zeal and devotion.

(iii) Arousing self- confidence through direction of followers talents

Self-confidence, is perhaps, the most significant mental asset possessed by an individual, on .which he/she can capitalize? A leader can help people develop this asset, through imparting excellent direction (or guidance) to them for the best utilization of their talents patent and latent. It is in this sense that leader is able to lead subordinates towards excellent performances; producing miracles for the organization.

(iv) Shaping managerial situation into excellent work environment

A leader shapes the managerial situation into an excellent work environment, by utilizing his leadership ta1ents. He might turn the sand of organization into gold by helping followers to overcome the limitations of the work situation and capitalize on its strengths to uphold the dignity of the organization. He imparts maximum guidance to followers to the best utilization of the available facilities — being unmindful of those things, which are beyond the reach of the organization. That way, despite ‘inferior technology and merger financial resources; the subordinates might be induced to work for the organization with a sense of zeal and enthusiasm just through the courtesy of leadership.

Encouraging initiative

A progressive, forward and democratic minded leader always encourages initiative on the part of followers. Through encouraging initiative, the leader can help the organization, avail of the hidden merits of people. This also motivates employees towards best performance; and helps develop, their mental facilities.

(v) Best utilization of man-power through motivation

A Leader primarily operates on the basis of motivation. Motivation, is in fact, an instrument, in the hands of the leader, which is used by him in shaping and molding human behavior? Through motivation, the leader causes a best utilization of manpower resources, as the well-understood phenomenon is that motivated employees put in their best efforts towards the attainment of organizational objectives.

Developing good man relations

Partly through his magnetic personality and partly through ensuring a free flow of communication, a leader helps in the development of good human relations in his work group. Good human relations benefit the organization in ways, more than one; and become the permanent asset of the organization over a period of time.

Building and raising morale

Good leadership helps in building morale of subordinates; and raising it further to the highest extent with repeated doses of leadership tonic’. As Napoleon has very aptly commented that in war morale in three-fourths of victory; likewise, in the managerial context this morale is expected play is similar role.

Discipline through self-discipline

A leader enforces discipline on followers, through helping them cultivate, what is known as ‘self discipline’. Self-discipline is an outcome to several like justice and impartiality motivation, morale, self-confidence etc, all of which represent different rays and color of leaderships. In fact, there is nothing better than having disciplined employees and self discipline the surest technique to reach up to it, on a permanent basis.

Overcoming resistance to changes

A leader overcomes resistance on the part of followers to organizational change. Through explaining to them the utility of such changes to both — the enterprise and the employees. The more charismatic and magnetic the leader is the easier would it be for him to overcome resistance to organizational changes.

(C) Laissez — faire or free rein leadership style

This style of leadership is also called free-style’ leadership, Under this style of leadership (once instructions for doing assigned work are imparted to followers): the leader plays only a supervisory role over their function in. The leader so to say, does not interfere while the subordinates are performing. This style of leadership is followed in circumstances, where subordinates are educated and skilled and understand well as to how to do their jobs independently without seeking consultation from the leader.