LEADERSHIP

The meaning of leadership is described as "a relationship through which one

person influences the behaviour or actions of other people." (Mullins,2007)

To be a good leader requires motivation, organisation, empathy and understanding. Being a leader helps achieve goals and targets, it also allows employees to feel important and valued.







To define the difference between management and leadership, we have to look at both individually.















Leadership







Leadership is created through the motivation and vision of the employee. A persons enthusiasm and need to succeed can be fulfilled by leading others.















Management







Management is viewed as someone who gets things done by using others to achieve their goal.







Henry Ford said that "coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success." (kotter international,2010)















Management help make systems of people work well on a continuous basis. They deal with planning and budgeting, organisation of staff, problem solving and making things happen.







Leadership takes everything managers do, and by creating vision, setting direction, communicating, motivating and organising people, leaders assist management and also feel appreciated.

Leadership Grid





The grid was first known as the managerial grid, in 1964, and was reproduced in 1991 as the leadership grid. Blake and Moulton used the grid to look at the comparisons of managerial styles in two principle dimensions. These are the concern for production and the concern for people. The grid was then given five combinations, one in each corner and one in the centre. These are:

• Impoverished manager - low concern for both production and people.


• Authority-compliance manager -high concern for production and low concern for people.


• Country club management - low concern for production and high concern for people.


• Middle of the road management - moderate concern for both production and people.


• Team manager - high concern for both production and people.

By using this grid management can identify their pattern of behaviour. By being a team leader management can maximise their input and output, whilst at the same time can allocate tasks more efficiently.

Winston Churchill

Born in 1874 Winston Churchill became a famous leader, known for his quote "we will fight them on our beaches.". During world war 2 Churchill became Prime Minister, after Neville Chamberlain resigned. As a true leader Churchill inspired the nation to grab arms and never surrender to Nazi Germany.

After losing power in 1945 Churchill remained a key leader for his party, and in 1951 was re-elected as Prime Minister. Throughout his years Churchill inspired many people, and in 1953 was awarded the Noble prize for literature. Winston Churchill died in 1965 aged 91, and was given a state funeral, which is only given to royalty. ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/churchill_winston.shtml

Conclusion

With the experience and commitment of others, many businesses are able to succeed. A great manager, Sir Richard branson says that the most important part of Virgin is its employees. Winston Churchill could not have defeated Germany without the help of the nation. To be a good leader requires understanding and commitment. Without these skills you are left on your own. To be able to give advice, you need to take advice.

References

Kotter Internatioal,2010. management Vs Leadership. [Online] Available at: http://www.kotterinternational.com/kotterprinciples/ManagementVsLeadership.aspx [Accessed 14 April 2010]

Mullins, L, 2007. Management and organisational behaviour. Harlow:Pearson.

Virgin, 2009. Richard branson. [Online] Available at: http://www.virgin.com/about_us/ [Accessed 14 April 2010]