Leadership Skills 1

Running head: LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Leadership Skills

Shirrell Wilson

Ashford University

Contemporary Issues in Organizational Leadership

BUS 660

Dr. Donny Bagwell

Nov 08, 2010

 Leadership Skills 2

Leadership Skills

Leadership Skills are essential to a company’s ability to grow and expand in today’s

world. Companies realize the drive in business is generated from leaders within the organization.

Leaders’ ideas and concepts can help a company launch and sustain business in new markets.

Understanding leadership skills and their ability to impact leaders as well as technical

competence is necessary for organizations to identify and select the most suitable individuals to

enhance their operation.

Leadership Skills

Leadership is a critical management skill which has the ability to motivate a group of

people toward a common goal. Organizations seek individuals with leadership skills as they are

essential to achieving goals related to quality business. Therefore, a leader cannot be an effective

leader without developing leadership skills (Boone & Peborde, 2008). There are certain basic

qualities or characteristics that most people associate with leadership. Some of these include

delegating, taking responsibility and coaching.

Delegating task to others is a sensitive however powerful skill of an effective leader. To

delegate effectively one must choose the right tasks to delegate, identify the right people to

delegate to, and delegate in the right way. Developing leaders tend to panic at the thought of

giving responsibility to others in fear that employees may undermine ones competence to resolve

a problem or work will not be completed correctly. However, an effective leader realizes that

delegating task positively impacts an organization in numerous ways. First, effectively

delegating provides a leader with the ability to achieve more tasks in a timely manner. Secondly,

as a leader delegates responsibility it increases followers therefore supporting internal growth.

 Leadership Skills 3

Last, delegation can help motivate and build confidence within employees while strengthening

the organization [ CITATION Hug09 \l 1033 ].

Accepting responsibility is another leadership skill a leader must obtain to be effective

within an organization. As leaders delegate tasks they must take responsibility no matter what

the outcome bring forth. However, an ethical leader would share credit for a job well done and

acknowledges responsibility when they go wrong. This measure will build trust and loyalty

amongst followers. Sharing the credit will increase the ability of receiving the same level of high

quality performance or better from employees. Taking responsibility encourages an employee to

do better next time as well as give them the ability to learn from mistakes [ CITATION Sca99 \l

1033 ].

Coaching is a very effective leadership skill which is used to help individuals reach their

individual goals within an organization. Implementing this skill encourages growth while

strengthen an organization. Coaching is the process of providing followers with the appropriate

tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to enhance their abilities and become more

marketable within their field of choice. Coaches grant followers with a setting that allows one to

grow, clarify career goals, while identifying and prioritizing developmental needs [ CITATION

Hug09 \l 1033 ].

Technical Competence

Leaders must maintain technical competence within their designated field. This provides

them with the ability to stay abreast of advances in current technology. Implementing delegation,

responsibility and coaching leadership skills allows a leader to preserve or enhance their

knowledge of conduct, policies, laws and processes. Technical competence comes from being
 Leadership Skills 4

trained in the business and having experience. The experience allows one to not only understand

how the business works, but how the workers in that business need to be led. This can only be

conducted by effective leader learning, engaging, and guiding their followers. Employees want

their leader to be familiar of what they do on a daily basis or at least a basic understanding of

how their work is conducted. Leaders that do not have a fundamental understanding of their

followers daily processes will have difficulty making the correct decisions on how to effectively

using their skills. Employees also would like their leaders to disclose when they need assistance

with tasks. Having the ability to make sound decisions is very beneficial to the employee as well

as the organization journey to success within the global market. Technical competence puts an

individual in a position of being respected by those in which they are leading [ CITATION Sca99 \l

1033 ].

Development Plan

As leader stride to be competitive within the global market they seek plans to enhance

their leadership skills. Conducting a 360 survey allows an individual to evaluate their ability.

This survey gives your employers, peers, and followers with ability to provide constructive

criticism about an individual’s performance. After obtaining the feedback one should create a

development plan which highlights areas of opportunity. Improving one’s ability to delegate

should include identifying fears that limits the want to distribute task. Then identify the benefits

of delegating task, such as increase productivity, learning, and increase motivation, loyalty and

trust. Taking on responsibility encourages an individual to stay abreast of what tasks needs to be

implement as well as ensuring employees have the appropriate tools and steps to complete the

project correctly. Coaching takes effective listening which will provide a leader with the

necessary information to make sound decisions in order to provide the appropriate guidance.

Conclusion
 Leadership Skills 5

Today’s economic triumph has fostered organizations to seek effective leaders to expand

their operation. Companies understand that leadership skills are a critical part of organization’s

stride to success. Leaders use various techniques to motivate and build trust within the

organization. Delegation, responsibility, and coaching are a few tools leaders implement to

enhance an organization’s ability to performance and ability to compete in the global market.
 Leadership Skills 6

References

Boone, L.W., Peborde, M.S. (2008). Developing leadership skills in college an early career

positions. Review of Business, 28, pp. 3-13. Retrieved November 4, 2010, from

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?

did=1698822241&Fmt=4&clientId=74379&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R. C., & Curphy, G. J. (2009). Leadership: Enhancing the lessons of

experience (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Scarnati, J. T. (1999). Beyond technical competence: The art of leadership. Career Development

International, 4, p. 325. Retrieved November 4, 2010, from

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?

did=86921098&sid=2&Fmt=3&clientId=74379&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Leadership Skills 7