This topic reminds me of the time when I was teaching my little brother how to read and how to write. My general strategy was to teach him the same way my parents taught me. In other words, I provided supervision and encouragement along his learning cycle.
Because reading and writing was initially very unfamiliar to my little brother, he needed direction when he started going to school. Many times I had to hold his hands so that he could put letters together; and other times I had to whisper the beginning or the end of a word so that he could figure what the word was.
With the pass of time he started feeling more comfortable and confident. So my guidance was not required at all times anymore. During this second phase of his writing and reading process, words of encouragement were more important than direct supervision.
Hersey and Blanchard defends that “the best style depends on many situational variables, they claim the best usable guide is the match between the leader’s style and the follower’s task maturity level – the person’s ability and motivation to complete a task independently.”
I absolutely relate this experience to leadership. Somehow my brother saw on me the one who helped him to accomplish something big, by establishing direction, motivating, and inspiring him to believe that he could learn those skills. And he did learned how to write and read very well and extremely fast.
Garota de Ipanema
Streaning Star Trek: Insurrection Full Movie
6 years ago
2 comments:
In your example, you provided leadership through guidance on an as needed basis. Many just think that if they start giving a big lecture or explain things in a standardized way that everyone will understand. If you had taken this approach with your brother, it may not have worked as effectively. You, instead, recognized what kind of help/guidance he needed and adapted to his learning style. A good leader must be able to adapt himself/herself and provide guidance based on each individual's specific needs. I think this is what makes leadership so difficult to define. There is no one way or right way to provide leadership. As the text explains it's a process and is different depending on situations and environments.
That's a sweet story! It's also highlights the relationship that you have with your brother that enabled you to encourage and guide him.
Unfortunately, many leaders forget that good leadership requires strong relationships. How can you hope to motivate an employee that finds you ignorant or arrogant? Leaders must be people handlers -- they work through their relationships to affect change. Leadership is a negotiation of different perceptions and creating a confident image that can reassure employees and stakeholders.
True leadership becomes much more difficult when you must manage the impressions of 100 employees and unify them under a single vision. It takes stronger relationships and better interpersonal communication skills to succeed.
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