LEADERSHIP
A new concept that I have learned in this course is that on efficacy and optimism. Efficacy is the ability of a leader to make people within a group or working individually to believe that they can achieve difficult tasks (Yukl, 2009, p. 483). On its part, optimism is positive mindedness which the leader is supposed to cultivate in the followers. From this course I have come to learn that the two principles help a leader achieve the team’s objectives with much ease.
People like to work on what they believe in and in such a situation they will show a lot of zeal and desire for success. This is why creating efficacy, whether collective or individual, is important in a team. This is because through efficacy the leader is able to ensure that the team members work with passion on the team’s objectives. Optimism on its part will help in ensuring that the team does not give up easily and that the passion created through efficacy is not lost when barriers emerge. It is important to inspire optimism alongside efficacy since the former helps in sustaining the latter. Most people may give up even when they believe in something when barriers emerge, however optimism helps in ensuring that this people see the good side of the problem and stay focused to the goals.
Optimism and efficacy are two characteristics that I intend to cultivate whenever I am called upon to lead. This is because I know they will help me not to be the only one who is zealous and who has faith in achieving what the team is set to do. In my opinion, these two characteristics basically involve a leader sharing the zeal and positive mindedness they have with the followers. To me this is important especially in case the leader is absent, is busy, or is even demoralized. When a leader cultivates optimism, they can always be assured that there will be someone to urge them on in case they feel like the goals are unachievable (Posner & Kouzes, 2008, p. 237).
References
Yukl, G. (2009). Leadership in Organizations (7th Ed). New York: Pearson
Posner, B. & Kouzes, J. (2008). The Leadership Challenge (4th Ed). Illinois: Jossey-Bass
