12 Leadership Roles

A. Create an Inspiring Vision and Lead by Example

1. Create an inspiring vision; establish shared values; give direction and stretch goals


2. Manage change strategically, take risks, create change; lead change; manage resistance to change


3. Lead by example; practice what you preach; set an example, and share risks or hardship

B. Empower, Insprire, and Energize People

1. Be enthusiastic; inspire and energize people; create a positive work environment


2. Empower people; delegate authority; be open to ideas; have faith in the creativity of others


3. Communicate openly and honestly; give clear guidelines; set clear expectations


4. Empathize; be willing to discuss and solve problems; listen with understanding; support and help

C. Build and Lead a Team

1. Use team approach; facilitate cooperation; involve everyone; trust your group; rely on their judgment


2. Bring out the best in your people; have common touch with them; coach and provide effective feedback


3. Permit group decision; help your team reach better decisions


4. Monitor progress, but don't micromanage, lead your team; avoid close supervision; do not overboss; do not dictate; lead team self-assessment

• Few of us are born to lead. Yet most of us will need to lead some group or organization, at some time. Leadership is a role most of us will need to play.


• Frequently, leadership is a role that we discover we need to assume when we agree to do some other task or job. We may need to lead a group, team, department, or even a whole organization. We may lead a family, club, association or a whole community.


• Our leadership role may be formally sanctioned or we may have no actual authority, just a group of followers.The context in which we lead doesn't matter. When we assume a leadership role we have a part to play in shaping the future, or at least some part of it, and some important principles apply.


• First, the leadership role is different to management. Often good leaders are also good managers. But the leadership role is not the same as the management role, even if the same person plays them both, and the two should not be confused.


• The management role is based on authority while leadership is built on relationships. Where the management role involves responsibility for command and control, the leadership role relies on influence and inspiration.


• The primary leadership role includes establishing the strategic vision, values and direction setting while the management role concentrates on planning, resource allocation and budget to deliver the vision.


• Both leadership and management are important, but at different times and in different situations. The best leaders know when to assume which role - when to manage and when to lead - and they are comfortable moving in and out of the leadership role as required.


• Second, leadership skills can be learnt. You do not need to learn these skills the hard way, all on your own. Once you develop your leadership skills, assuming any leadership role is much easier, and more effective. Attend a leadership seminar or read some leadership books. There are many available.


• And finally, just as all good actors make the roles they play their own, you must play your leadership role in a way that is uniquely you. I believe Leadership Integrity is about being the best you can be and bringing who you are to what you do. This is the most important role you can ever play.

Quick Tips

Mature teams and organizations share the leadership role according to who will be best in any particular situation or circumstances. If you view leadership as a role you can happily and productively continue contributing to a team in other ways when someone else takes over the leadership role from you. If you view leadership as part of your identity or personal power base, rather than as a
role you sometimes assume, you run the risk of clinging to leadership beyond your capacity to contribute value. Don't let this happen to you.

References:

http://www.1000advices.com/guru/leadership_12roles_vk.html

http://www.businessperform.com/articles/leadership_role_playing.html