Leadership Concepts Reflections
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Leadership Concepts Reflections
In any organization, having a firm and efficient leadership plays a critical part in the long term success.
In this course, I have become aware of various concepts and theories developed by famous scholars about management strategies.
The contribution of concepts such as Marslow’s hierarchy needs and motivation, human relations theory and other neoclassical approaches have shaped my knowledge on evolution of management practices.
Historical view on Leadership
During the entire course, I have learned that leadership perspective has evolved to a more cooperative and friendly level.
Importantly, I recognize that during the tribal era, leaders used brute and excess force to impose authority on followers.
The grave implications of this style of leadership led to followers feeling intimidated and underappreciated thus reducing motivation and productivity respectively.
During the pre-industrial period, leadership was highly associated with religion thus embracing a authorization approach where followers were treated as objects.
Cont’d
Therefore, throughout the course, I have become aware of the struggle of followers/workers to be involved in organizational decisions and plans.
I have learnt that during industrial revolution, workers were less considered in decisions as leaders concentrated on production costs.
Leaders had created a negative perception of workers as lazy, inefficient with supervision required to increase productivity.
Until this period, the welfare of the workers were disregarded by the management of most organizations.
However, post-industrialization period saw the increased concerns about the socio-economic conditions of workers leading to changes in roles and attitudes thus productivity. s
Neo-classical Management theories
During the course, I have appreciated the role of earlier scholars such as Max Weber and Fredrick Taylor on their attempts to provide theories of management
I understand that as a concept, participative management entails involving workers in critical decision-making process thus improving productivity and motion.
I learned that contrary to the past where workers concerns were not addressed, the neo-classical approaches intended to address the existing gaps.
Cont’d
During the classical theory, I realized that employees and followers were treated as machines which left limited room for creativity and motivation.
This concept was replaced by the human relations theory which sought to improve the employee-employer relationship.
Through the Hawthorne’s experiments, scholars and organizations established that providing suitable conditions for workers improved productivity and increased motivation.
Notably, the neoclassical approaches considered workers as a social entity with aspirations, beyond fulfilling duties at work.
Behavioral Approach
I realized that during this course, the impacts of acquiring behaviors and skills can play a fundamental role in leadership.
Depending on the level of management in an organization, the three skills namely conceptual, human and technical can assist leaders in day-to-day operations.
In terms of human skills, the course has taught me to consider the views of others as well as mine before making a decision.
I realized that good leaders should create a good, comfortable and secure atmosphere where workers can freely voice concerns that they face.
Cont’d
Additionally, I have learnt about the need for leaders to possess technical skills in solving problems
Before the course, I thought technical abilities are needed at all levels. however I have learned that in top management platforms, managers require human and conceptual excellence to address issues at work.
Developing concepts and ideas are critical to any management compositions as it helps the firm to beat off competition
The course has enlightened me on the need for leadership to be aware of the potential problems found at workplaces.
Scientific Management theory
I understand that this theory was among the earliest attempts science to the engineering process of leadership and management altogether.
During the course, I have learned of the objective of scientific management theory to improve work efficiency.
This theory emphasizes on teaching, training and developing an employee to improve productivity and efficiency.
I agree with the theory’s emphasis on assigning duties to employees based on their capability and motivation which results in maximum input.