Defining Effective Leadership
Defining Effective Leadership
James B. Beaty
Post University
Abstract
The following essay will attempt to define effective leadership. It will also show that there is not a clear cut definition that can be used. The author will share personal experiences to show how all effective leaders have one similar trait, resiliency. Resilient leaders use five different dimensions of strength: emotional, social, spiritual, family, and physical.
Keywords: effective leadership, resiliency, strength
Defining Effective Leadership Leadership has many facets and volumes could and have been written on what it takes to be an effective leader. Most research that has been previously completed on studying effective leaders shows many similar traits among the world’s most renowned leaders. Even though many researchers have set a clear definition of what effective leadership is, effective leadership is very difficult to define. This paper will focus on only one trait that all effective leaders must have. Leadership has been defined by the U.S. Army as “influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization” (Army Leadership, 2006). So this brings to question if there is a difference between leadership and effective leadership. Clearly, no one way best defines what it means to be an effective leader (Nahavandi, 2012, pg. 4). One thing is true; if you are not an effective leader then you have not accomplished the definition of leadership itself. As mentioned above, all effective leaders have a single trait in common: resiliency. Many books and lectures touch on the physical and educational aspects of leadership. These tools can help provide the purpose, direction, and motivation needed to accomplish a multitude of tasks. What is often overlooked is the role the mind has in the ability to carry out tasks at hand. General George S. Patton once said, “I don’t measure a man’s success by how
James B. Beaty
Post University
Abstract
The following essay will attempt to define effective leadership. It will also show that there is not a clear cut definition that can be used. The author will share personal experiences to show how all effective leaders have one similar trait, resiliency. Resilient leaders use five different dimensions of strength: emotional, social, spiritual, family, and physical.
Keywords: effective leadership, resiliency, strength
Defining Effective Leadership Leadership has many facets and volumes could and have been written on what it takes to be an effective leader. Most research that has been previously completed on studying effective leaders shows many similar traits among the world’s most renowned leaders. Even though many researchers have set a clear definition of what effective leadership is, effective leadership is very difficult to define. This paper will focus on only one trait that all effective leaders must have. Leadership has been defined by the U.S. Army as “influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization” (Army Leadership, 2006). So this brings to question if there is a difference between leadership and effective leadership. Clearly, no one way best defines what it means to be an effective leader (Nahavandi, 2012, pg. 4). One thing is true; if you are not an effective leader then you have not accomplished the definition of leadership itself. As mentioned above, all effective leaders have a single trait in common: resiliency. Many books and lectures touch on the physical and educational aspects of leadership. These tools can help provide the purpose, direction, and motivation needed to accomplish a multitude of tasks. What is often overlooked is the role the mind has in the ability to carry out tasks at hand. General George S. Patton once said, “I don’t measure a man’s success by how