Question

Studies prove that leadership is not a single variable but instead a complex combination of traits, contingency, and behavior. Discuss your understanding on what constitutes an effective leader.

Answer 1

Answer

✓ leadership is not a single variable, it comprises of traits, qualities, behaviours, that help an individual to be an effective leader. Leadership is an ability, that can be improved and is learned, with experience, training, and can be the internal strength of a person, since his birth. It is not necessary that effective leaders have leadership capabilities by birth or internal strength, but a leader can be made, and can be nurtured, with right approach to learn and develop his capabilities for influencing the members.

Traits, capabilities, contingencies and behaviours are the complex combination, that play important role to develop leadership qualities. These traits or abilities involves, effective communication, influencing ability, honesty, concern towards people, decision making, critical thinking, etc. That is necessary to lead and inspire people for influencing them to worm for a set goal.

An effective leader uses his own abilities and learn new skills, acquire knowledge, moulds his behaviour and attitude, in a right way that is compatible to the situation and requirements. He adapt to a suitable style for leading the followers, according the resources constraints, time frame, capabilities of the members and their attitudes. Being a charismatic personality, a facilitator and supporter can also constitute to an effective leaders trait.