The Work of Leadership by Donald L. Laurie and Ronald Heifetz describes the six principles for leaders to guide employees to make adaptive efforts. It tells the readers the necessity to recognize adaptive challenges and the importance of continuation of disciplined attention for leaders to lead their team. It also highlights the value of giving confidence and encouragement to employees. In addition, the article also analyzes the significance of listening to employees and backing them up and resolving issues pointed out by them.
I learnt that companies face adaptive challenges on a constant basis. Therefore, the leaders need to understand and analyze the challenges and make their followers engage in adaptive work. I learnt about the importance of strategic development. Leaders must judge every situation from a higher end and work to change the ongoing trends in the organization (Rosenbach & Taylor, 1998). I really liked how the authors gave the example of sports analogy related to watching match from a balcony and playing in the field. This example made me understand that leaders need to know their responsibilities from every angle. Real leaders always motivate their employees and do everything to help the employees get out of work distress (“HBR's 10 must reads on leadership”, 2011). In short, I learnt that a leader has great responsibilities to direct his team on the right track.
I will apply this knowledge by being a fearless and bold leader who is not afraid of change. I will lead my team from the front and make sure to help them take every challenge positively. In this regard, Microsoft’s Bill Gates is a great example. He has been successful in transforming his company to a general management corporation from a functional corporation. In fact, he has demonstrated change in his leadership methods to handle the contemporary challenges thus adapting to the new working practices. His new has made Microsoft one of the most dynamic companies in the world (Heifetz, Grashow, & Linsky, 2009).
References
HBR's 10 must reads on leadership. (2011). Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press.
Heifetz, R. A., Grashow, A., & Linsky, M. (2009). The practice of adaptive leadership: Tools and tactics for changing your organization and the world. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press.
Rosenbach, W. E., & Taylor, R. L. (1998). Contemporary issues in leadership. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
