Leadership refers to a process through which one person uses the help and support of others towards achieving a particular goal or task. Hickman, states that the effectiveness of great leaders can be evaluated through their core attributes and characteristics. They include being a knowledgeable professional in the field of expertise, having a proven track record of achieving set goals and objectives, and the ability to motivate and delegate effectively. In addition, great leaders ought to be able to cultivate and identify talent and exhibit sound judgment even under pressure.
There are various types of leadership styles. In this discussion, we are going to focus on situational, transactional, and transformational leadership. Burke contends that the success of any organization depends mainly on the effectiveness and ability to inspire possessed by its leaders. A key attribute to the success of leaders and managers is their ability to adapt and flex their approach to a situation. This type of leadership is known as the situational leadership style whereby leaders switch their leadership styles to address changes in situations. Leaders utilizing this style are normally great motivators, risk-takers, and highly creative.
Transactional leadership refers to a style of leadership that focuses on interactions between leaders and followers. Leaders focus their attention on motivating people by appealing to their interests. The leaders using this style are always result-oriented, reluctant to change, and technical. Transformational leadership as explained by Pedraja-Rejas et al focuses on change. Leaders from this segment inspire positive change among the followers and social systems. They are visionaries, optimistic and charismatic.
I am a transformational leader. I always inspire others to change for the better. I have great ambitions and I stand on the principle that change is inevitable so we better change with it. However, I lack some attributes that constitute a good leader. I am impatient and afraid of taking risks. I believe that if I master these qualities, I can become a great leader even under pressure.