Final answer:
Leaders and managers must be visionary, align with organizational goals, be flexible, and empower their teams to succeed. A blend of instrumental and expressive leadership styles is essential for catering to employee needs and fostering positive relationships. Proactiveness, transparency, and accountability are key traits of an effective leader.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leaders and managers in an organization are crucial to setting and achieving organizational goals. Indeed, they must "do the right thing," exhibit a future orientation, be visionary, focus on purposes, and empower others. A leader with these qualities is not only aligned with the goals of the organization but also possesses the capability to adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of their team members.
Knowing the significance of both instrumental leadership, which is goal-oriented and focused on accomplishing tasks, and expressive leadership, which cultivates emotional strength and well-being, is essential. Combining these leadership functions can lead to a more dynamic and effective management style that caters to various team members' needs.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of leadership is enhanced when a leader is proactive, seeking out ways to contribute to areas that are a priority for their manager, and being resourceful. This involves being flexible in the face of changing priorities, participating actively, and staying accountable for one's actions.
A leader's willingness to go above and beyond, while maintaining transparency and open lines of communication with their team, is often what sets apart a good boss from a great one. Hence, the perfect manager would embody these traits, inspiring confidence and fostering an environment conducive to professional growth and career development.
It is also critical to understand that different employees have varying needs for leadership. Some prefer autonomy, while others thrive in well-structured environments with clear responsibilities. Leaders must recognize these individual differences to foster strong positive leader-follower relationships and ultimately drive the organization towards its goals.