Leadership - causing problems
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Usually, there is very little training and preparation provided for people promoted into leadership positions. Those who do undertake training provided by universities and colleges often find that such courses fall short of providing the skills that are needed.
Fortunately, that is changing and it seems to be better accepted now that more training time and development effort should be devoted to develop skills in thinking at a strategic level (deciding ‘what’ needs to be done) and developing a better understanding of the people who are being led (deciding ‘how’ things need to be done). The process of ‘deciding’ is itself a skill that seems to be exercised poorly in general.
- Leaders need to know how to think (use information)
- Leaders need to know how to converse (get information, cause things to happen)
- Leaders need to know how to make decisions (best style for the challenge)
- Leaders need to know how to motivate
Leaders need flexibility in conversation styles, decision processes, and behavioural styles.
Leadership occurs at all levels of the organisation. Any person who is responsible for the work of others - is a leader.
Any person who uses special knowledge to influence the decisions and actions of others - is a leader.
Any organisation with people in such responsible positions, will benefit by helping them improve their skills. You’re paying for it anyhow, since if you don’t elevate their skills they cannot be as valuable to you.
It’s without dispute that higher level positions need good leadership skills. What’s not as clearly understood is the cost of not equipping lower level managers and supervisors with escalating levels of leadership skills. Without appropriate training, people in these positions can become a cost rather than an asset. Leadership skills don’t take someone from zero to plus in value - but from minus top plus. The wrong people in leadership positions can generate extensive economical and legal loads.
Poor leadership skills throughout the organisation is probably the root cause of all serious organisational problems.
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