EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SERIES EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP ‘Leadership Traits’ LECTURE 5 by Subhas Chandran Faculty of Defence & Management Studies SC CPOYRIGHT 2012 1
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SERIES
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
‘Leadership Traits’
LECTURE 5
by
Subhas Chandran
Faculty of Defence & Management Studies
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A good leader inspires others with confidence in him;
A great leader inspires them with confidence
in themselves.
- Unknown
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LEADERSHIP SUCCESS
“Successful leaders share three abilities.
The first is the ability to get along with others and
build teams.
Another is the ability to make sound and timely
decisions.
And the third is the ability to get things done.
Unfortunately, only a relatively small percentage of
leaders possess all three of these attributes.”
~ Gordy Curphy,
Curphy Consulting CorporationSC CPOYRIGHT 2012 3
HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Leadership or the art of influencing and directing other people
to achieve mission goals, involves understanding,
predicting and controlling behavior of followers.
Leaders must understand that each follower is different and
his actions and orders will result in different responses.
Leaders maintain close contact with only a small group of
followers regardless of the numbers under his charge.
Followers reaction is based on:
1. Physical & mental characteristics
2. Emotional characteristics
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INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITY
Individual personality drivers:
oHeredity – these are characteristics inherited from the
parents but attaining the highest levels
depends on the environment and life
experience.
o Environment - influences of the family, community,
religious context, life style etc. that shape
the followers personality.
o Experiences - Each will experience unique experiences
that effect physical, mental and
intellectual reactions.SC CPOYRIGHT 2012 5
INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR
Basic Human Needs influenced by societal values and
individual needs. The acquisition process is to satisfy
Physical needs and Learned needs:
1. Physical Needs – sometimes called basic needs include
food, clothing, body functions and shelter.
2. Learned Needs – the result of interactions with other
men where one learns society’s values and behavioral
norms. Three categories:
Security: Able to predict consequences of ones behavior that
may result in emotional, physical and material harm in others
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INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR
Social Acceptance: the need and desire for societal
acceptance influence man’s behavior. Unwilling to act
contrary to societal ideals and expectations.
Recognition: men have the constant desire to know that
their actions are acceptable and like to receive tangible
proof of appreciation. SC CPOYRIGHT 2012 7
FORCES THAT INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR
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SUPPORTS
STRESSES
EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING
FORCES THAT INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR
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THE CHARACTER OF LEADERS
Individual character traits help one determine what is
right and what is wrong all the time, every-time.
Character comprises two parts : Values and Attributes
Values - is one’s fundamental principle or standard that
drives judgement, decision making and action.
Values are central to the character of everyone, both
leader and follower.
Values are influenced by fears, hatred, love and
friendship or mental models comprising religious,
economic, or political influences.
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WHY VALUES ARE CRITICAL
oOur Constitution requires that the Armed Forces (instrument of
state) use their weapons of war to support not subvert
democratic institutions.
o Similarly civilian organizational values aim to support democratic
institutions.
oValues are not just words but principles that guide our behaviour.
oValues reflect the core of our identity and how we achieve our
goals
oValues unite people (public & private) achieve purpose and vision.
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LEADERSHIP VALUES
COMMON ARMED FORCES VALUES
1. LOYALTY - True faith and allegiance to the Constitution,
Laws, Armed Forces, your unit and fellow soldiers.
2.DUTY – To fulfill your obligations ethically as required by the
laws, regulation and orders including figuring out
what needs to be done before being told to do so.
3.RESPECT – Treat people as they should be treated – leader’s
responsibility to create a climate of dignity and
respect regardless of race, gender, creed or
religious beliefs.
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LEADERSHIP VALUES
4.SELFLESS SERVICE - Putting nations interests and welfare
above personal interests. Selfless service
to ensure team success.
5.HONOR – Uphold and live up to the Service and Regimental
values – a ‘Moral Compass’ for character and
personal conduct
6.INTEGRITY - doing what is right – legally and morally in spite
of the pressures to do otherwise.
7.PERSONAL COURAGE – Face fear, danger or adversity
regardless of consequences.
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LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
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o Values are an important part of a leaders character, but
successful leaders have special attributes.
o Attributes are key personal characteristics – some you are
born with and some you need to learn.
o Military and other leaders should strong attributes in the
following dimensions : physical, mental and emotional.
1. Physical Attributes
Health and physical fitness are equally relevant in both
military and civilian worlds. ‘Top leaders have stamina and
great reserves of vitality’ (James Gardner)
Health is a positive state of well being and Physical
fitness is the ability to function effectively.
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
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1.Physical Attributes (cont.)
Leaders who promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
health of their employees is investing in success.
Conforming to dress code emphasizes professional bearing,
fitness, courtesy to customers and colleagues and discipline.
2.Mental Attributes
‘Will’ – is the inner drive that compels soldiers to keep going
against odds – fear, hunger, exhaustion etc. For civilians, it is the
courage that enables leaders to pursue goals and accomplish
critical tasks against odds.
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
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2. Mental Attributes (cont.)
Self Discipline - Leaders manage their own emotion in spite
of the extreme stress of the situation. Military - ability of
leaders to do the right things despite consequences for him and
troops. Civilians - ability to keep cool in tense situations and
remain in control and focused.
Initiative - Drives leaders to act when the situation changes
and there is no back up plan. Leaders willingly take on
responsibility and the decision making burden. Effective leaders
will allow subordinates room to develop while tolerating their
mistakes.
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
Judgment - Is the ability to size up the situation
quickly and decide on the course of action. Good
judgment is making the best decision without allowing
emotions or prejudices influencing them.
Self – Confidence - It is the faith that you will act
correctly under stress of any given situation. It comes
from competence and the mastering of skills. It is earned
and does not come with rank or promotion.
Intelligence - It is not just brain power but the
understanding that one does have all the answers
and is willing to learn.SC CPOYRIGHT 2012 17
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
Cultural Awareness - Culture is the shared beliefs, values
and assumptions of a group or organization. Leaders have to
be sensitive to the diverse backgrounds, the cultural context
and the customs of the partners in operations (joint forces).
Only then can they build a cohesive team.
3. Emotional Attributes – Leaders emotional attributes – self
control, balance and stability, understand that military people
are human with hopes, fears, concerns and dreams. Leaders also
understand their strengths and weakness – they are calm in the
face of danger.
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LEADERSHIP TRAITS
Good Leaders are made not born.
Traits of good leaders are :
1.Courage – taking intelligent and calculated risks in the battle
field; standing up to what is right; be mission focused in spite of
odds; making on the spot corrections if needed.
2.Bearing - setting and maintaining a high standard of
appearance; controlling your voice.
3.Decisiveness - studying the alternatives and choosing the
best course of action – knowing when not to make a decision
4.Dependability - complete tasks in a timely manner
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LEADERSHIP TRAITS
5. Endurance – physical and mental stamina to perform and
complete task.
6. Enthusiasm - communicate positive attitude to your soldiers
– never complaining but emphasizing success
7. Humility - emphasizing to your soldiers their success and
encouraging them to overcome obstacles
8. Humor – having fun doing your job – joking to relieve tension
of the situation
9. Initiative – planning ahead and taking action
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LEADERSHIP TRAITS
10.Integrity – telling the truth, working for the benefit of
your soldiers and using your power judiciously.
11.Justice - consistent application of reward and
punishment; ability to listen to all sides
12.Knowledge – making sound tactical decisions, ability to
show soldiers how they should perform their tasks
13.Loyalty – willingness to care out tough orders without
complaining – defending your soldiers against unfair
treatment.
14.Tact – speaking to others (chain of command) respectfullySC CPOYRIGHT 2012 21
DEVELOPING LEADERS
oThe military approach is a ‘whole person approach’ to
leadership development.
oLeadership is not a role or position in the organization.
oA leader is a person with mental, emotional and physical
dimensions.
oThe military sees it as the leader’s responsibility to develop himself
before he can hope to lead his men.
oLeaders of character set the example to all around them – are
models of behaviour they expect in others.
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DEVELOPING LEADERS
o Leaders need to ‘Walk the Talk’ if they want commitment and
high standards of action from followers.
o Leaders are assessed more for their character and values rather
than his leadership skill sets !
o Organizational values should be linked to leadership as it shows
those outside and inside what they stand for.
o Positional leaders (CEO or President) who lack character and
values will not be an effective leader !
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EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Effective Leadership - Requirements :
Be yourself
Figure out what you are good at
Hire only good people who care
Treat people the way you want to be treated
Focus on one or two critical objectives
Ask your coworkers how to get there
Listen well
Call the play
Warren Bennis,
Author and Educator
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