What does being a leader mean to you?
For some people, being a leader means “being in command of others.” It is true that leaders often end up having the power of command. However, good leadership probably starts with internal qualities that lead to career consequences. A person who is inspirational, understands others, shares powerful ideas, and invests other people with the ability to move forward – this kind of person may be promoted into a position of power. The emerging leader may become successful in business, and hire others to help achieve goals. Other leaders may influence others through writing, speaking, or music – as did the Beatles.
For this reason, I prefer Drucker’s definition of leadership: a leader has followers. The definition is broad enough to include a broad range of human activities. Leadership shows up in many forms, with many different kinds of followers. A follower could be a banker, a yoga practitioner, or a political savant.
Are you interested in changing people’s lives, or having power over them?
Categories: power, influence, Leadership
Tags: goals change Career impact vision
Hi Steve,
Leadership is the ability to establish vision and direction, to influence and align others towards a common purpose, and to empower and inspire people to achieve programme or project success. It enables the programme or project to proceed in an environment of change and uncertainty.
The role of leadership in a programme or project is to maintain and promote the programme or project vision, reinforce positive relationships, build an environment that supports effective teamwork, raise morale and empower and inspire the individual. Leaders require followers; leaders must also themselves be able to follow.
A leader ensures that exceptional events during the project life cycle are properly addressed and resolved. Programmes and projects do not always go well, and a leader who can see an opportunity rather than a threat will help to motivate the team through a challenging period.
Leadership should be exercised at all levels within the programme or project. Team members will lead their colleagues to a successful result, which adds to the success of the project, and has a positive impact on the functional area of the organisation that is providing resources. Within the context of a project team, responsibility for leadership can be exercised by all or some of the team all or some of the time. This presents those with nominated leadership roles the challenge of supporting and nurturing this attribute within the team.
A leader provides constructive and immediate feedback on the performance of individuals in the programme or project, and encourages feedback on their own performance. To enable continual improvement, lessons learned will be shared, and success celebrated. Leaders can act as a coach and mentor to people working on the programme or project in order to promote personal growth.
The leader represents and provides services to those they lead. Sensing what people need in order for them to perform most effectively is key to selecting which leadership style and activity is most appropriate. Programmes and projects have to respond to critical scrutiny. The leader protects the interests of the project and its people.
The programme or project manager as leader has an impact on the organisation, in that they inspire trust, confidence and commitment when escalating or communicating upwards.
The programme or project manager should focus on different aspects of leadership throughout the project life cycle and set the pace accordingly. Early phases of the programme or project require expertise in influencing stakeholders and creating vision. As the programme or project progresses, the leadership focus shifts to maintaining momentum, responding to ambiguity and change (source APM BoK www.apm.org.uk)
I hope this is of help. Time for tea and biscuits ...
Richard
Palm Island, Dubai
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