Generally, a skilled leader is expected to perform the following functions:
- Understand and interpret the circumstances in which the organization or team wants to operate.
- Clearly set the objective and prepare a plan to achieve the objectives.
- Execute the prepared plan in a brilliant manner.
- Determine the impact of the plan in a systematic way and regulate the plan as point out.
- Develop the team and their individual abilities.
All these functions constitute the role of leadership. This means that any leader has a number of responsibilities and challenges to cope with. They are responsible for the welfare of any group member and is the “glue” that holds the whole team together.
There exist three different theories of leadership. They are trait theory, situational theory, and functional theory. Among these three, the situational theory is the most team-oriented. This theory claims that the leader is expected to develop the group in the first place. Trait or genetic theory of leadership, in its turn, focuses on the leader and their behavior.
The supporters of this theory posit that leaders are born rather than made. This theory is hardly applicable these days because most management theorists agree with the idea that a person could be taught to be a leader. The menopause women group focuses on human service works. This is why the functional theory is the most suitable here.
According to this theory, leaders are responsible for understanding the group’s needs and for meeting these needs. As stated by Shead, “functional leadership is an approach that concentrates on how leadership occurs, rather than focusing on who does the leading.” In other words, what matters in leadership are the methods that the leader uses to exercise their leadership.