Scouting- Verieties of Leadership

MAHAN SIDDHARTHA SCOUT TROUP-2069

TOPIC: Leadership

Determination is one the greatest assets we can possess.  Determination can bring out the best in us.  Determination is the tool we use to defeat discouragement.  Determination is the tool we use to overcome temporary failure to prevent failure from becoming permanent.  Determination is the tool we use to produce patience.  Determination is the tool we use to feed our faith and starve our doubts to death. 

Determination builds character.   It helps us become a more reliable person.   It helps us meet our commitments.    It helps us prioritize and manage our time to maximize positive results. 

Determination is the tool we use to give us the will to win. Determination is the tool we use to help us win in spite of our limitations.  Determination is the tool we use to dig ourselves out of a hole.  Determination is the tool we use to improve our relationships.   Determination is the tool we use to reach our goals.  Determination is the tool we use to succeed. 

An observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed timeframe is the ultimately Determination of goals.

2. Organization function:

Organizational functions are the activities performed in a firm. These activities are classified into departments, which are headed by department managers. All the functions need to work harmoniously to achieve the objectives of the firm. The departments, therefore, need proper communication channels to share ideas and resources uninterruptedly. This can be achieved by the establishment of patent objectives that are well known by each department.

3. Co-ordination and Direction:

Coordination­­: Co-ordination is the act of organizing, making different people or things work together for a goal or effect to fulfill desired goals in an organization. Coordination is a managerial function in which different activities of the business are properly adjusted and interlinked.

Direction: The act of directing, of aiming, regulating, guiding, or ordering; guidance; management; superintendence; administration; as, the direction o/ public affairs or of a bank.

That which is imposed by directing; a guiding or authoritative instruction; prescription; order; command; as, he grave directions to the servants.

The name and residence of a person to whom any thing is sent, written upon the thing sent; superscription; address; as, the direction of a letter.

The line or course upon which anything is moving or aimed to move, or in which anything is lying or pointing; aim; line or point of tendency; direct line or course; as, the ship sailed in a southeasterly direction.

The body of managers of a corporation or enterprise; board of directors.

The pointing of a piece with reference to an imaginary vertical axis; -- distinguished from elevation. The direction is given when the plane of sight passes through the object.

4. Motivation:

Motivation is the inner power or energy that pushes toward acting, performing actions and achieving. Motivation has much to do with desire and ambition, and if they are absent, motivation is absent too.

Often, a person has the desire and ambition to get something done or achieve a certain goal, but lacks the push, the initiative and the willingness to take action. This is due to lack of motivation and inner drive.

Motivation strengthens the ambition, increases initiative and gives direction, courage, energy and the persistence to follow one's goals. A motivated person takes action and does whatever it needs to achieve his/her goals.

Motivation becomes strong when you have a vision, a clear mental image of what you want to achieve, and also a strong desire to materialize it. In this situation motivation awakens and pushes you forward, toward taking action and making the vision a reality.

Motivation can be applied to every action and goal. There could be motivation to study a foreign language, to get good grades at school, bake a cake, write a poem, take a walk every day, make more money, get a better job, buy a new house, own a business, or become a writer, a doctor or a lawyer. Motivation is present whenever there is a clear vision, precise knowledge of what one wants to do, a strong desire and faith in one's abilities.

Motivation is one of the most important keys to success. When there is lack of motivation you either get no results, or only mediocre results, whereas when there is motivation you attain greater and better results and achievements. Compare a student who lacks motivation and who hardly studies, to a student who is highly motivated, and who devotes many hours to his studies; they will get absolutely different grades.

Lack of motivation shows lack of enthusiasm, zest and ambition, whereas the possession of motivation is a sign of strong desire, energy and enthusiasm, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve what one sets out to do. A motivated person is a happier person, more energetic, and sees the positive end result in his/her mind.

5) Automatic Leader:

Autocratic leadership can be beneficial in some instances, such as when decisions need to be made quickly without consulting with a large group of people. Some projects require strong leadership in order to get things accomplished quickly and efficiently.

Have you ever worked with a group of students or co-workers on a project that got derailed by poor organization, a lack of leadership and an inability to set deadlines? If so, chances are that your grade or job performance suffered as a result. In such situations, a strong leader who utilizes an autocratic style can take charge of the group, assign tasks to different members and establish solid deadlines for projects to be finished.

In situations that are particularly stressful, such as during military conflicts, group members may actually prefer an autocratic style. It allows members of the group to focus on performing specific tasks without worrying about making complex decisions. This also allows group members to become highly skilled at performing certain duties, which can be beneficial to the group.

6) Democratic Leader

Under democratic leadership, the people have a more participatory role in the decision making process. One person retains final say over all decisions but allows others to share insight and ideas.

This is often a highly effective form of leadership. People are more likely to excel in their positions and develop more skills when they feel empowered, and people are empowered when they are involved in the decision-making process.

Although it may take some time to achieve full participation from a group, the end result will be rewarding if you can manage to establish a power-sharing environment in your group project. You will find that democratic practices often lead to a more productive and higher quality work group.

Examples of democratic leadership:

•   Asking all group members for ideas and input.

•   Voting on the best course of action in a project.

Asking group members to work with their strengths and provide input on how to divide the work. ]li]Enabling members to work at their own pace and set their own deadlines.

7) Free Rein Leader:

The free rein leadership style is one that favours autonomy and abhors control. This model caters for minimal control by the leader or manager and maximum flexibility for the team members. As such, the team leader often takes a back seat role and functions to coordinate and direct the actions of the team rather than dictate it. It is wise to remember that free rein leadership is at the extreme of freedom, away from the extreme of control, and that most teams operate within the continuum between.

The free rein leadership style may be likened to the role played by a mentor or a coach. Rather than being the one determining the course of action to be taken by a team, the free rein leader or manager offers advice and guides the team through the process, just as how a mentor leads his student in the right direction and how the coach gives his team directions.

The free rein leader is neither actively involved in information gathering and decision making. He acts as a coordinator both in a brainstorming session to gather and consolidate information, and in the final decision making session. This is known as the 'Gaining Consensus' method of making decisions, according to Michael Watkins in his book, the First 90 Days. This is unlike the consult-and-decide method in the participative leadership model, nor the dictatorial style in the autocratic leadership model.

Free-rein leadership, also called Laissez-Faire, is a type of leadership style in which leaders are hands-off and allow group members to make the decisions. Mangers set objectives and employees are free to do whatever is appropriate to accomplish those objectives. The traits managers need in such organization includes warmth, friendliness, and understanding.  Free-rein is often the most successful style concerning organization is which managers supervise doctors, engineers, professors and other professionals.

Some of the primary characteristics of Free-rein leadership include:

* Very little guidance from leaders

* Complete freedom for followers to make decisions

* Leaders provide the tools and resources needed

* Group members are expected to solve problems on their own

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