Leardership - Anyone Interested?

What is Leadership?

I trust we are reading many texts on leadership. There are many ways to finish the sentences, "Leadership is...."

Leadership defined
Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal (Northouse, 1997).

Leaders and followers are closely linked
The people who engage in leadership will be referred to as leaders and those individuals toward whom leadership is directed will be referred to as followers. Both leaders and followers are involved together in the leadership process. Both of them are cannot be separated from each other. If they are separated and if there is no link, leadership process may not take place. In short, leaders need followers and followers need leaders (Burns, 1978; Jago, 1982; Heller & Van Til, 1983; Hollander, 1992).

The Leader must be the torch bearer
Although leaders and followers are closely linked, it is the leader who often initiates the relationship, creates the communication linkages, and carries the burden for maintaining the relationship relentlessly. The leader cannot blame the followers for any weak links in the process. He should be looking at himself and must be quick to analyze his weaknesses and remedy it.

TEAM Paradigm

The "Team Paradigm" Definition
TEAMS can only function and work effectively if they are allowed to work together over time in an environment that demands and promotes teamwork.

There is no specific definition of what 'team' really meant. The best definition that we could think of is - Together Everyone Achieves More because teamwork will be generating Synergy, Security, and Serenity. When these triple 'SSS' exists in a team, then the team will really has 'teamworks' spirit.

Teamwork and Good Leader
Teamwork today centers around within and around a group of individuals instead of of a strong leader. Leaders come and go, but strong team even stick together during hard times although a good leader may leave them. The trend today is moving towards self-directed teams where self-leadership prevails over strong leadership. This needs heavy responsibilities from each team members.

Shared Vision and Values
Having said that, however, a group of strong personalities does not mean a strong team. They should be embraced the same shared VISION and VALUES to make them stay together through thick and thin. That should be the team bondage and starting block for the common traits of sustainable T.E.A.M.W.O.R.K.S. .

In short, real teamwork can only be achieved through an environment of constantly working together as a team. Learning together is an effective and proactive.

Acronym of Teamworks
Trust each other with respect.
Enthusiasm in team shared vision and values.
Agreed on the best and most viable solutions to any challenges facing the team.
Members must be honest in supporting team leader and vice versa.
Work delegation among members to lessen the team burden should be encouraged.
Ownership to the common goal setting and any possible drawbacks.
Regular communication to keep everyone update on team progress.
Keep emotions out from the team struggle.
Synergy will come automatically to the team if all the above being observed.

Make Sure You're Not Among The 10%

As many companies are bracing for hard times, many direct employees around the world being laid off to make them remain afloat. If you are salaried worker, make sure you're among the 90% who are employed. Make sure you're not among the 10% of who are unemployed. Now, how would you want to make sure that you would not fall into the 10% category? Here are few tips to make sure yourself still relevant and marketable:

1) Training
Now is the good time to go for extra training that in one way can add up to your soft skills. Do touch base with your HRM of your company for suitable training.

2) My plate is full
This time around is not the good time to complain about things - 'this is not my duty.' The rule for now is better to have your plate full rather than empty.

3) Value added to company
Show your true potential and how company could get added value from your ideas and inputs.

4) Productivity is the new game
During hard times, productivity is the rule of the game. That's why company always scrutinize the first 10% from the bottom. Increase your productivity.

5) Resource allocation
Company will move resources to more productive area, product, unit, and department. If you are 'burn out' now maybe it is the right time to change for internal transfer. Please talk to your supervisor about your individual development plan. Make it transparent to him or her. Above all, make sure you're sought after kind of staff.

6) Discipline
Self-discipline is very important. Come early to clear some works so that you always ahead of the rest. Long hour in office doesn't meant discipline if times spent unproductively.