TEAM LEADERSHIP
BY TONY PALLADINO
Is there a place for team leadership within today’s high-tech, fast moving world of international business?
The term leadership generally evokes thoughts of both famous and infamous personalities from world history. Whether pioneers of nations, great religious ambassadors, the peace-makers or founding fathers of modern industry; all hold a number of common traits; having the ability to inspire followers, to make timely and decisive decisions and always be seen to “do the right
thing”, are amongst the perceived virtues of a true leader. So is there room for what may be considered as very human based behavior in the modern world of business and technology?
In a process driven society, many business professionals believe that a systematic management approach is key to a successful and sustainable organization. Indeed, John Kotter, Professor of Leadership at Harvard University, states; “Management is a set of processes that keep an organization functioning.” Does this vie the question of a need for any business orientated organization to be concerned in leader investment?
Academic research supports that leadership and management should co-exist and become harmonized to operate for the present and the future. CEO’s recognise that there is a requirement for the people that develop the system (the manager) and those that implement
and establish the system (the leader). For the latter to be accomplished, identifying inspirational, motivational and intuition qualities are paramount to accomplish the manager’s plan. Therefore, how are these leaders identified?
Modern business generally does not provide the opportunity for many to naturally display leadership skills; especially with less face-to-face communications and interactive behaviour.
Leadership
22 | TRAINING MAGAZINE MIDDLE EAST SEPT 2014
IN MODERN BUSINESS
BY GERWYN HARKETT