Are Good Managers Born Leaders?
Nowadays education has secondary importance for big firms and organizations
while employing people, because having a degree the person is not always a professional
in his sphere. The most important thing, especially if we speak about a good
manager, is his born abilities in combination with practical skills. Being a
good manager means to be a born leader. (Bass, 67)
While employing managers it is necessary to take into account that leaders must
have ten following characteristics:
1. Courtesy. The ability to respect people, even if you are not agree with them
is an essential characteristics of the leader.
2. Clarity. Discontent can be positive as it becomes a motivation for self-perfection
and high anticipations from others but when it’s express without the proper
reason people lose confidence in their leader and next time will pay no attention
even to constructive one. In this case such a quality can add to the qualities
of a good leader.
3. Creativity. Desire for everything new. Potential leaders can not be conservators
and strive to save status quo by any means. Leaders are always in the search
for something new and better. “People long to escape from boredom and
routine. They appreciate leaders who are open to unexpected insights, new ways
of doing things. Like artists and musicians, great leaders are not afraid of
change, variety, playfulness. They can be quirky without losing their dignity.”
(Brow, 68) The ability to find unusually approaches to usual things is another
manifestation of creativity. Creating new ties between old subjects is a quality,
necessary for the successful leader. .
4. Caring. Desire and ability to take responsibility are usually the qualities,
which distinguish potential leaders. "No person can be a true leader unless
he takes genuine joy in the successes of those under him." And Charles
Dickens said "there is a great man who makes every man feel small. But
the real great man is the man who makes every man feel great." The great
leader will say, "That was superb. I really liked that." Without such
caring, those who work with a leader lose interest, enthusiasm ebbs out.”(Brow,
67)
5. Cheerfulness. Leadership qualities include the ability to work with other
people. Very often it’s the leader who transmits his mood and attitude
to everyone so, cheerfulness can create a positive atmosphere and provide better
feedback. “We all hate the whining, miserable person. But we love the
leader who smiles, laughs at himself, and has an optimistic outlook on what
is happening.” (Brow, 69)
6. Courage. Courage is a necessary characteristic of a good leader. No leader
can escape criticism or discouragement and good leader should be able to deal
with these problems and not to get upset. In addition, the leader often experiences
certain separation from his or her peers. This separation results from the responsibilities,
which nobody can accomplish. So, a good leader should be courageous in order
to act according to his own consideration and takes responsibilities for his
actions.
7. Counsel. Taking into mind the opinion of other is important characteristics,
which distinguishes a good leader. There is an important note. Listening to
the opinion of others, a good leader must not lose a one of his own. The situation
of competition and additional rights created a seduce to excess the power. The
leader should have respect to the people he works with. At the same time the
leader must be respected by the people he works with. It’s impossible
to created a strong organization body if the subordinates don’t respect
their leader. It’s not necessary for them to like the leader, but the
feeling of respect is a must.
8. Celebration. Family respect is another important characteristic of a good
leader. The attitudes inside the family can uncover a lot about the personality
of the potential leader.
9. Communication. Charisma and good speech are important factors which make
people listen and obey the leader. These qualities can be either born or taught,
but good leader can not effectively cooperate with others if he doesn’t
have these qualities. “Holding court” quality makes people listen
to the speaker and possessing the attention of the audience is crucial skill
for the good leader. (Smith)
People, who have the characteristics mentioned above, are not only good leaders,
who enjoy their rights, but also ones who remember about their responsibilities.
The dilemma about managers and leaders could be easily solved if employing their
works employers will take into account these characteristics.
References
1. Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1993). Transformational leadership: A
response to critiques. In M. M. Chemers & R. Ayman (Eds.), Leadership theory
and research: Perspectives and directions (pp. 49-80). San Diego, CA: Academic
Press.
2. Bennis, Warren and Bert Nanus. (1997). Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge.
Harper Business.
3. Burns, M. J. (1978). Leadership New York: Harper & Row.
4. Robert Brow, Ten Characteristics of Great Leaders
(http://www.brow.on.ca/), January 2006.
5. Smith, Fred. (1996). Leadership Journal; Vol. XVII, No. 4, Page 30.
