Discuss the characteristics and Functions of Leaders.

John Newstrom and Keith Davis have described leadership as “the process of influencing and supporting others to work enthusiastically toward achieving objectives.” It is a process whereby one individual influences other group members toward the attainment of defined group or organizational goals.” Leadership is not the same as management. Although leaders need management skills, they possess many other important qualities and have many other functions to perform.

 Characteristics of a Leader :

A great deal of research has been carried out to find out the physical, intellectual and personality characteristics that distinguish leaders from non leaders and successful leaders from unsuccessful leaders.Research findings indicate that successful leaders possess the following characteristics:

Drive: This includes desire for achievement, ambition, high energy, tenacity and initiative. Most leaders have a clear sense of purpose (or mission), clear goals, focus and commitment.

Intelligence: Leaders are generally more intelligent than the followers. It was found that leaders have higher intelligence than the average intelligence of the followers. It was also found that the leader should not be far more intelligent than the followers.

Energy levels and stress tolerance: Leaders are very energetic and have the ability to tolerate high levels of stress. These qualities enable the leader to deal with role conflicts and handle the pressure of making important decisions with inadequate information.

Optimistic: Most leaders are highly optimistic: They always look at the brighter side of life. For them the glass is always half-full rather than half-empty. Even in the worst situations, they see something to smile about.

Emotional maturity: Leaders are emotionally mature and stable. They are not self-centered and have greater self-control. They do not get easily upset or excited. Emotional maturity helps the leaders to maintain cooperative and rood relation with their subordinates, peers and superiors

Honesty and integrity: Leaders are trustworthy, reliable and open. They are not hypocrites and their behavior matches the values they hold and speak of.

Leadership motivation: This is the desire to influence and lead others but not to seek power for its own sake. Leaders exercise influence over others to reach shared goals.

Self-confidence: They have faith in their own abilities and believe in themselves. They are persistent and continue to work toward the goal despite problems and setbacks.

Cognitive ability: Leaders have a high ability to integrate and interpret large amounts of information.

Knowledge of the business: Leaders are well informed above industry and other relevant technical matters.

Functions of a Leader :

A leader has to perform many functions. The functions or the different roles that a leader has to perform depend on the type, structure and goal of the group. The functions that a general of the army has to perform are quite different from the functions that a political, social, or religious leader has to perform.

Some of the many different functions that a leader has to perform are:

Policy Maker: An important function of the leader of any social group is to plan out the group goals objectives and policies. He has to lay down specific policies and objectives and inspire subordinates to work towards the attainment of the goal.

Planner: The leader also functions as a planner. He decides the ways and means that are to be adopted to achieve the objective of the group. He draws up both long-term and short-term plans. Based on it, he prepares a step-by-step plan to achieve the group’s objectives. He also plans for contingencies or unexpected events.

Executive: Setting goals and drawing plans is of no use until and unless they are implemented. In his executive function, the leader has to ensure that the plans are executed. The leader has to coordinate the activities of the group. As an executive, the leader does not carry out work or activities himself but assigns it to other group members and ensures that they implemented.

External Group Representative: The leader has to assume the role of representative of the group in its external relations. All incoming and outgoing communications are channeled through the leader. Members of other groups deal with the leader as a representative of the particular group. He is the official spokesperson of the group.

Controller of Internal Group Relationship: The leader controls the internal relations among the members of the group. All communication in the group is channeled through him. He tries to establish good relations among the group members. He encourages team spirit and tries to develop the group in to a cohesive unit.

Controller of Reward and Punishment: The leader uses the power to give rewards and punishments to motivate, discipline and control group members. He rewards members who contribute and work towards the attainment of group goals and punishes those obstruct the group’s progress.

Rewards may be in the form of cash rewards, appreciation in public, promotion, increased status etc. Punishment may be in the form of scolding, taking away responsibility assigned, penalties etc.

Arbitrator and Mediator: The leader acts an arbitrator and mediator when there are conflicts or differences in the group. He must resolve disputes in a fair and just manner. He tries to establish good inter-group relationships, reduce tensions in the group and establish harmony.

Exemplar: The leader serves as a role model to the members of the group. He must serve an example for other to follow and set high standards. The leader must ‘walk the talk.’ He should practice the ideology, beliefs, values and norms laid down in the group,

Father Figure: The leader has to sometimes play the emotional role of a father figure for members of the group. He has to be a source of psychological and moral support to the followers. He guides his followers not only in work related issues but also helps in their personal life. He sometimes acts as a punching bag for the frustrations of the followers. The followers vent out their feelings on him.

Scapegoat: The leader is accountable for the performance of the group. Hence when the group does well the leader gets a lot of credit for it. However, when the group performs poorly or fails the leader is held responsible for it even though the leader did everything possible. Thus he has to play the role of a scapegoat.