On the Issue of Leadership

During a meeting to launch a major rehabilitation project for one of our iconic bridges, I had a little discussion with the supervising team representing the Client and the Contractor about Leadership.

There are three different orientations that you can observe through the behavior exhibited by people at leadership positions.

System Focus Orientation: the leader’s main focus is on discipline and adherence to rules and regulations. Being present on time is more important than results. The leader doesn’t hesitate to expertise harsh disciplinary action against those who do not follow the rules. This style usually leads to eat relationships, low engagement and low productivity.

?Results Focus Orientation: under this style, a leader is more concerned with results. He gives little attention to rules and regulations. The employees are judged according the results they produce. the increase of productivity is a key measure of the performance of employees. This often leads to low loyalty and low engagement.

Emotions Focus Orientation: in this style , the leader exercises great care and passion toward employees. He expresses gratitude and recognition and ensures happiness and respect. He turns a blind eye to shortcomings and mistakes. This leads to good relationships, but also results in the abuse of the system, low productivity, and eventually disrespect to the leader.

Leadership is not a linear behaviour. A leader who insists on one of the above styles under different situations, whatever the reasons are, cannot be a successful leader, and cannot lead an organization and motivate the employees for better outcomes.

A good leader is one who skillfully shifts between these styles depending on the situation. He offers moral and emotional support to his employees, but also ensures discipline in the workplace, and makes the appropriate action and follow up for higher productivity.

As a result of this multi-orientation style of leadership, the leader will create a culture of discipline, higher productivity and love in the workplace.

#leadership #situational_leadership #motivation #productivity?