Communication: Leadership assessment
Highest: 39 Participative, Lowest 32 Authoritarian.
Hence, my style of leadership according to the test is Participative.
I was surely surprised by the test of the results. This is because I always considered myself as the one who exerts higher control or authority on its followers. But the test suggests that my style of leadership is not Autocratic like Napoleon or even task oriented like Florence Nightingale but Democratic like Nelson Mandela. Previously I had another perception in my mind for my style of leadership that was of an authoritarian leader.
Effective Communication
Without effective communication, it is not possible to obtain results or drive others towards a particular task. As a participative leader, I would make my communication strategy as such that all the team members effectively receive that message. For example being a financial analyst at an Investment firm, I would make sure that all the fundamental and technical analysis has been properly conveyed to the team so they should choose sound financial instruments that go along the strategy and analysis. Not only this but once the message has been conveyed, I’ll be asking questions so that there remains no confusion what so ever and every team member is clear before taking a decision.
Recognizing Opportunity
As a participative leader, I would encourage my team to look for opportunities and out of the box solutions. For example being a financial analyst, I would encourage my team to look out of the conventional financial markets. I would allow them to wander in nonconventional markets and look for opportunities that might be off the book. Although I would take a decision before making sure that the chosen instrument would prove to be a sound investment. But this would eventually create a sense of participation and decision making in the team.
My Role as an advisor
Being an advisor and having a participative style of leadership, I would not hesitate to consult as more people as I could to reach at a solution that is best for the firm. For example, if my firm asks my opinion about any issue, I’ll make sure I have enough knowledge regarding that matter. For that, besides consulting papers and internet, I’ll involve my subordinates in the decision process and would allow them to provide the best of their critical thinking. I would also seek suggestions from my seniors as they are more experienced than me. After working on every aspect, I would provide my opinion to the firm.
Recognizing Talent
Without talent, it is not possible to excel or progress at any job.Being a financial analyst, I would provide a limited risk taking permission to my sub ordinates where they would be allowed to invest in financial instruments; they would have enough reasons and proofs to believe in its profitability. This will also allow me to measure the analytical abilities of my team. The members having outstanding analytical abilities would be allowed to make more fundamental decisions.
In Participative style of leadership, leader makes a decision but only after consulting the team and having their opinion. This leadership style is employed at strategic and tactical decision making (De Cremer & Dijke, 2004) by policy makers with effect that the quality of decision is critical to its success. (Yukl, 2002).
References
De Cremer, D., & Dijke, M. (2004). Distributive justice is moderating at effects of self-sacrificial leadership.
Yukl, G. (2002). Leadership in organizations. Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ.
