Leadership and Vision free essay sample

Having a clear, distinct vision and being able to set goals to achieve this vision are two of the most significant attributes a leader can possess. A leader must first determine who their vision might apply to, whether it be a particular group of people or the entire organization as a whole. Often, in lower management, a leader might need to organize a vision and goals for a small group of direct report, as opposed to a larger overall company vision. One of the most difficult parts of a vision is being able to communicate it to those employees around you or below you, and getting them to take the vision personally and dedicate themselves to achieving it as well. In the text â€Å"Leading and Leadership† by Don Clark, the author agrees with the important task managers have in convincing other team members of the importance of the goal, stating â€Å"Leadership is influencing others to truly WANT to achieve a goal† Don Clark, author of the aforementioned text, states three main ways he proposes you inspire your employees: Be passionate, get your employees involved in the decision making process, and know what your organization is about. We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Vision or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In these three ways, you can present yourself as a leader who genuinely cares about the team as a whole and can effectively execute a plan to achieve the vision and mission stated. Allowing each employee to become involved in the decision making process means determining goals and objectives for each employee or department. This becomes extremely important in that it allows each member of the team to feel they are pulling the necessary weight to help achieve the vision. Even more beneficial to managers and leaders is the concept that â€Å"lower-level managers who desire more challenge generally become more committed and satisfied when they are given the opportunity to tackle significant problems. † (Kreitner, 2008) The feeling of unity and high morale and allows each team member to realize their worth. When determining goals, a leader has the ability to delegate tasks to other individuals and allow them to receive recognition for their abilities and strengths, which relates directly to Herzberg’s motivational factors or satisfiers. Once a leader has established goals and objectives, they must consistently maintain the success of the operation and guarantee the tasks are being completed to the advantage of the overall vision. During this, a leader has the opportunity to coach their team and genuinely show their ability to perform and succeed. Often, an employee wants to know that their manager is willing to perform the same tasks they have handed down, or that they were at some point able to do so. For example, in a sales environment, if a member of the sales production team knows their manager has no sales experience, only management experience, they lack faith in the manager as a leader. The significance of a vision and clear goal-setting cannot be underestimated for any organization. A manager and leader who has a clear vision for themselves, their team and the organization as a whole is likely to be more successful and better able to handle hardship if it arises. The team will be more closely knit and able to communicate clearly about the task and objectives they are assigned. Having a distinct vision, even if it is simple for yourself and your career, instills confidence in your abilities and demeanor, and is one of the easiest ways to attain a following amongst employees. References Clark, D. R. (2004). Leading and Leadership. Retrieved October 1, 2011 from http://www. nwlink. com/~donclark/leader/leadled. html Kreitner, Robert. Foundations of management: basics and best practices. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. , 2008. Print.