Development Leadership Skills

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Session objectives
What is leadership?
Identify the traits and skills of an effective leader
Key leadership theories
Examine the role, duties and responsibilities of a Team Leader in the workplace
Understand the limits of authority in a Team Leader role
Develop a plan to develop your own leadership potential
Leadership Skills

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Understanding Leadership
What is leadership?
Why is leadership important – why do we need leaders?
Leaders – born or bred?
Leadership Skills

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"Leadership is a function of knowing yourself, having a vision that is well communicated, building trust among colleagues, and taking effective action to realize your own leadership potential."
Prof. Warren Bennis
Leadership Skills

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Exercise In pairs
Discuss examples you have come across of strong and weak leadership
You can use examples from employment, academic studies or participation in sports clubs and societies (keep anonymous)
Leadership Skills

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Early Theories:
Great Man Theories
Leaders are exceptional people, born with innate qualities, destined to lead
Term 'man' was intentional - concept was primarily male, military and Western
Trait Theories
Research on traits or qualities associated with leadership are numerous
Traits are hard to measure. For example, how do we measure honesty or integrity?
Leadership Theory
Leadership Skills

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Leadership Traits
Group Exercise:
Choose leaders YOU admire
What personality traits and skills do they have?
Leadership Skills

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Traits
Adaptable to situations
Alert to social environment
Ambitious and achievement orientated
Assertive
Cooperative
Decisive
Dependable
Dominant (desire to influence others)
Energetic (high activity level)
Persistent
Self-confident
Tolerant of stress
Willing to assume responsibility
Skills
Clever (intelligent)
Conceptually skilled
Creative
Diplomatic and tactful
Fluent in speaking
Knowledgeable about group task
Organised (administrative ability)
Persuasive
Socially skilled
Stogdill, 1974
Leadership Traits and Skills
Leaders will also use:
Integrity, Honesty, Compassion, Humility
Leadership Skills

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Functional Theories (John Adair, Action Centred Leadership, 1970)
Leader is concerned with the interaction of 3 areas:
Task – goal setting, methods and process
Team – effective interaction/communication,
clarify roles, team morale
Individual – attention to behaviour, feelings,
coaching, CPD
Leadership Skills
Leadership Theory
Behaviourist Theories (Blake and Mouton, Managerial grid, 1964)
Leaders behaviour and actions, rather than their traits and skills e.g. production orientated or people orientated
Different leadership behaviours categorised as ‘leadership styles’ e.g. autocratic, persuasive, consultative, democratic
Doesn’t provide guide to effective leadership in different situations

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Leadership Skills
Situational/contingency Leadership (Hersey-Blanchard, 1970/80)
Leadership style changes according to the 'situation‘ and in response to the individuals being managed – their competency and motivation
Leadership Theory

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Transformational Theory (Bass and Avolio, 1994)
Leaders inspire individuals, develop trust, and encourage creativity and personal growth
Individuals develop a sense of purpose to benefit the group, organisation or society. This goes beyond their own self-interests and an exchange of rewards or recognition for effort or loyalty.
Leadership Skills
New Leadership Theory

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Ethical Leadership
CSR, sustainability, equality, humanitarianism
Four P’s - Purpose, People, Planet, Probity
Alan Chapman, 2006
Leadership Skills
Leadership Philosophies

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Group Exercise
Examine and discuss the Team Leader
Job descriptions
What are the key responsibilities of the team leader role?
Leadership Skills

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Guide/coordinate team members – encourage teamwork and motivate individuals
Provide structure for team – set mission and purpose, clarify roles and responsibilities, allocate tasks and set objectives
Clarify working methods, practises and protocol
Focus on performance – anticipate challenges, monitor performance, delegate and provide CPD support
Leadership Skills
Key Team Leader Responsibilities

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Responsibility Vs Accountability?
What does having authority mean?
Leadership Skills

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Accountability the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable
Responsibility (for objects, tasks or people) can be delegated but accountability can not – buck stops with you!
A good leader accepts ultimate responsibility:
will give credit to others when delegated responsibilities succeed
will accept blame when delegated responsibilities fail
Accountability can not operate fairly without the leader being given full authority for the responsibilities concerned
Authority is the power to influence or command thought, opinion or behaviour
Cross-functional team – less authority - more difficult to manage
Accountability, Responsibility, and Authority
Leadership Skills

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Group Exercise
When have you experienced an issue as a leader that you did not have the authority to resolve?
How did you know you did not have the authority?
Who did you refer to for help?
Use examples from your own current experience – work, volunteer, club /society
Leadership Skills

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Team Leader authority will vary from role to role dependent on the scope of duties and organisational structure
A Team Leader may refer to line management or other
authorities for the following:
HR (staff recruitment and training, performance and discipline, racism or bullying)
Policy and procedures (Health and Safety, changes to working practises)
Budget & resources (allocation and management)
Organisational objectives (strategy, targets)
Managing change (department restructure, office move)
Line management (support and advice, own CPD)
Leadership Skills
Team Leader Authority

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How to improve your leadership skills
Reflect and identify the skills YOU need to lead effectively and create your action plan to develop them
Ask for feedback from work colleagues, line managers, tutors, your ‘followers’
Practise! Take on responsibility (work, volunteering, clubs & Societies) and reflect on your performance
SIFE - www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB2fOF_gYBg
Find a mentor – learn from positive leadership role-models
Attend further leadership and management training
Use the resources on Exeter Leaders Award ELE pages
Leadership Skills

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Review your performance as a Leader
Leadership Skills
Individual Exercise:
Assess yourself as a Leader
Conduct a SWOT analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
(Use the Results of Leadership Questionnaire you have been completed prior to attending the session)
Develop an Action Plan to improve as a leader
list 2 actions you will undertake to address Weaknesses or capitalise on Opportunities identified
Apply SMART targets to your actions – Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Session objectives
What is leadership?
Identify the traits and skills of an effective leader
Key leadership theories
Examine the role, duties and responsibilities of a Team Leader in the workplace
Understand the limits of authority in a Team Leader role
Develop a plan to develop your own leadership potential
Leadership Skills