Leadership has been described as “a process of social
influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support
of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth
definitions of leadership have also emerged.
The
ability of a company's management to make sound decisions and inspire others to
perform well. Effective leaders are able to set and achieve challenging goals,
to take swift and decisive action even in difficult situations, to outperform
their competition, to take calculated risks and to persevere in the face of
failure. Strong communication skills, self-confidence, the ability to manage
others and a willingness to embrace change also characterize good leaders.
Leadership
is "organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal". The
leader may or may not have any formal authority. Studies of leadership have
produced theories involving traits, situational interaction, function,
behavior, power, vision and values, charisma,
and intelligence, among others. Somebody whom people follow: somebody who
guides or directs others.
Leadership
involves
(1) establishing a clear vision,
(2) sharing that vision with others so that
they will follow willingly,
(3) providing
the information,
knowledge
and methods
to realize
that vision, and
(4) coordinating and balancing the
conflicting interests
of all members
and stakeholders.
A
leader steps
up in times
of crisis,
and is able to think and act creatively
in difficult situations. Unlike management,
leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching
or mentoring.
Someone with great leadership skills today is Bill Gates
who, despite early
failures,
with continued passion and innovation
has driven Microsoft
and the software
industry
to success.