Lecture 02: Leadership Myths & Facts-I

Summary

This session explores the myths and realities of leadership, challenging the notion that leadership is innate and unteachable. It delves into various leadership styles, such as autocratic, democratic, and participative, emphasizing that effective leadership is situational and dependent on factors like personality, environment, and organizational culture. The discussion also addresses the importance of lifelong learning and shared accountability in leadership, suggesting that anyone can develop leadership skills through experience and training.

Takeaways

• 🧐 Leadership is not just about holding a position; it's about influencing behavior and requires a combination of personal qualities and situational adaptability.
• 🎓 The myth that leadership doesn't require professional qualifications is debunked; leadership can be developed through education and experience.
• 📚 The script discusses various leadership styles, including autocratic, democratic, participative, and Laissez faire, emphasizing that different situations may call for different styles.
• 🧬 The concept that leaders are born, not made, is challenged; leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed over time, similar to learning how to ride a bicycle.
• 🌟 Successful leadership is dependent on the alignment of individual traits with organizational culture and the environment.
• 🤝 Leadership is a shared responsibility and not the sole act of one person; it involves teamwork and collective accountability.
• 📈 The script references case studies and research to highlight how leaders can transform organizations into global success stories.
• 🧭 Leadership effectiveness is influenced by various factors like team building, personality, perception, and learning, which are shaped by research and practical experiences.
• 🌐 The importance of context in leadership is emphasized; what works in one situation may not work in another, and leaders must adapt their approach accordingly.
• 📚 The script suggests further reading and research for a deeper understanding of leadership, indicating that learning is a continuous process for leaders.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the session on leadership?

The session focuses on exploring whether leadership is practically workable in the field, debunking myths about leadership, and discussing the realities and facts related to leadership, including the role of professional qualifications like an MBA.

What are some common myths about leadership discussed in the session?

Some common myths include the belief that leadership does not require any input or professional qualifications, and that non-MBAs cannot become successful leaders.

How does the session relate leadership to organizational culture and environment?

The session suggests that leadership is not just dependent on the individual but also on the combination of the individual's traits with the organizational culture and environment. Effective leadership is seen when a leader can coordinate and compose within a given situation.

What are the different leadership styles mentioned in the session?

The session mentions various leadership styles including autocratic, democratic, participative, and Laissez faire styles, as well as Lewin's three basic management styles and Goleman's six emotional leadership styles.

How does the session address the idea that leaders are born and not made?

The session refutes the idea that leaders are born, stating that leadership is a process and can be learned. It emphasizes the importance of environment, exposure, and training in developing leadership skills.

What role do situational factors play in leadership according to the session?

Situational factors play a significant role in leadership. The session highlights that leadership effectiveness is influenced by the situation at hand, including elements like technology, raw materials, and finance.

How does the session define a leader?

The session defines a leader as someone who influences the behavior of others, rather than just holding an official position or title.

What is the significance of the case studies and research papers in the session?

Case studies and research papers are used to provide real-world examples and evidence to support the discussion on leadership, including how leaders have transformed organizations and built cultures.

How does the session view the role of change management in leadership?

Change management is seen as a critical aspect of leadership, where the session discusses how to implement change effectively within an organization, considering the given situation and culture.

What recommendations does the session provide for developing leadership skills?

The session recommends lifelong learning, exposure to different experiences, and participating in leadership seminars, training courses, and conventions to develop and sharpen leadership skills.

How does the session discuss the concept of shared leadership?

The session emphasizes that leadership is not the sole act of one person but a shared accountability among team members, highlighting the rise of shared leadership and the importance of team building.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Exploring Leadership Myths and Realities

The session delves into the practicality of leadership, challenging common myths. It questions whether leadership requires formal education like an MBA and discusses the importance of understanding leadership myths. The talk will cover popular misconceptions, supported by case studies, research, and book recommendations. It also introduces various leadership styles, such as autocratic, democratic, participative, and Laissez faire, emphasizing the significance of team building, personality, perception, and learning in leadership roles.

05:05

🧐 Leadership Styles and Personalities

This paragraph discusses the diversity of leadership styles and how they are influenced by individual personalities, which are shaped by heredity, environment, and situational factors. It clarifies that leadership is not solely based on one's position but also on the ability to influence behavior. The paragraph also addresses the myth that leaders are a homogeneous group, highlighting that leaders can emerge from various backgrounds and possess different styles, including official, informal, and those based on wisdom and expertise.

10:07

📚 Leadership Theories and Styles

The discussion continues with an exploration of leadership theories, including Lewin's three basic management styles: authoritative, participative, and delegative. It contrasts these with Goleman's six emotional leadership styles, which range from visionary to affiliative, pacesetting, coaching, democratic, and commanding. The paragraph also touches on Likert's four leadership styles, emphasizing that leadership is not an innate trait but a skill that can be developed through training and experience.

15:12

🚀 Leadership Development and Shared Accountability

The final paragraph emphasizes that leadership is not an exclusive act but a shared responsibility among team members. It dispels the myth that leadership is solely based on birthright or natural traits, arguing that anyone can become a leader with the right training and environment. The importance of lifelong learning and adapting to changing situations is highlighted, along with the idea that leadership is a collective effort, where every team member plays a crucial role in achieving goals.

Keywords

💡Leadership

Leadership refers to the ability of an individual to guide, direct, and influence others towards achieving a common goal. In the video, it is discussed as a multifaceted concept that is not solely dependent on formal positions but also on personal qualities, expertise, and the ability to influence behavior. The script challenges the myth that leadership is innate and argues that it can be developed and learned through experience and training.

💡Myths

Myths in the context of the video are misconceptions or false beliefs about leadership. The script aims to debunk several myths, such as the idea that leaders are born and not made, or that leadership is solely based on formal positions. By addressing these myths, the video seeks to provide a more accurate understanding of what leadership entails.

💡Professional Qualification

Professional qualification, as mentioned in the video, refers to formal education or certifications that an individual may possess. The script questions the necessity of such qualifications for effective leadership, suggesting that leadership skills can be developed independently of formal education, as seen in the case of non-MBAs becoming successful leaders.

💡Case Study

A case study is a detailed analysis of a specific instance or situation, often used in educational and professional settings to illustrate principles or practices. The video mentions case studies as a method to explore real-world examples of leadership, demonstrating how different leadership styles and practices have been applied and their impact on organizations.

💡Research Papers

Research papers are scholarly articles that present original research and are a key source of knowledge in academia. In the video, research papers are cited as evidence to support various leadership theories and practices, showing how academic research contributes to the understanding and development of leadership skills.

💡Leadership Styles

Leadership styles refer to the various approaches a leader may adopt to guide a team or organization. The video discusses different styles such as autocratic, democratic, participative, and Laissez faire, emphasizing that the effectiveness of a style depends on the context and the leader's ability to adapt to different situations.

💡Organizational Culture

Organizational culture encompasses the values, beliefs, and practices that characterize a company or organization. The video highlights the importance of aligning leadership with the culture of the organization, suggesting that a leader's effectiveness is influenced by their ability to understand and work within the cultural context of their organization.

💡Change Management

Change management is the process of guiding an organization through transitions and transformations. The video touches on the role of leadership in implementing change, emphasizing the importance of a leader's ability to navigate and manage change effectively within an organization, which is crucial for maintaining stability and fostering innovation.

💡Shared Leadership

Shared leadership is a leadership approach where responsibilities and influence are distributed among team members. The video challenges the notion of leadership as an act of a single individual, arguing instead for a collective effort where each team member contributes to the leadership process, thus fostering a more collaborative and dynamic team environment.

💡Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional reasons. The video emphasizes the importance of continuous learning for leaders, suggesting that leadership is not a static quality but one that evolves and improves through constant exposure to new experiences, ideas, and challenges.

💡Accountability

Accountability in the context of leadership refers to the responsibility that leaders have for their actions and decisions. The video discusses how accountability is not limited to the leader alone but is a shared responsibility among all members of a team, highlighting the importance of collective ownership and commitment to the organization's goals.

Highlights

Leadership is a practical field and not just theoretical, with myths and facts to be discussed.

Criticism of non-MBAs becoming leaders and the debate on whether an MBA is required for leadership.

Leadership does not solely depend on professional qualifications.

Leadership is influenced by various dimensions such as team building, personality, perception, and learning.

Leadership rules are based on research and can vary depending on the situation.

Different leadership styles include autocratic, democratic, participative, and Laissez faire.

Biographies of impressive leaders showcase how they transformed organizations and built cultures.

Leadership effectiveness is dependent on the combination of individual traits and organizational culture.

Leadership is not generalized; it varies with personality, environment, and situation.

The importance of context in leadership and how it affects the application of leadership theories.

Leadership is not the act of a single person but involves shared accountability among team members.

Leadership development is a lifelong learning process, with everyday experiences providing fresh challenges.

Leadership is not solely based on birth or innate characteristics; it can be learned and developed.

Leadership training and exposure can help individuals with leadership traits to reach their full potential.

The rise of shared leadership and the importance of team building in achieving goals.

Leadership is not about one person but about the collective effort and accountability of a group.

Transcripts

In this session we will talk about whether the  leadership is really practically in the field  

is workable or not, Or there are certain myths  and what are the realities or facts related to  

the leadership is there, because whenever we are  learning the leadership, we are supposed to know  

about the what are the myths are there about  the leadership and because sometimes you see,  

the people say that is the leadership does  not work, very normal criticism is about how  

these non-MBAs they are becoming leaders. And when they are so, many successful leaders  

does MBA requires, so, that particular myth  that is the leadership does not require  

any input are whether the leadership, it  requires the professional qualification,  

what is the fact that we will be discussing  in this particular session is there. And we  

will also talk about the different myths which are  very popular and common into this particular topic  

of the leadership and we will also talk about  that is what are the different facts are there.  

we will also relate it with the case study and  research papers and also this session will be  

having the certain input from different books as a  recommendation for you and whatever these as usual  

at the end we will be having the references  are there. Now, there are the lot of the,  

already says there is specially related to the  rules, that is what are the rules of leadership.  

And we have seen that is the rules of  leadership's or return on the basis of so,  

many dimensions they are the team building  is related, the personality is related,  

the perception is related, learning is related. And therefore, in that case the researchers,  

the authors, they have given the rules on the  basis of their research, on that that particular  

research base studies, they are making the rules  are there, then there are the pointers also those  

who are showing the directions, direction that  is about the leadership's are there that how you  

can become the successful leader then, there  are different leadership styles a number of  

theories are there which talk about whether it  is the autocratic style is there, democratic  

style is there, participative style is there. And whether there it is Laissez faire style is  

there and therefore, in that case you will  find that is there are the different inputs  

are there theoretically by the different  authors, it also talks about the biographies  

of the impressive leaders, the biographies are  related about that how these leaders they have  

change the uncomfortable situation to the  comfortable situations, how they have made  

that organization so much successful, how would  the cultures have been built in the organization.  

What are the different practices are there with  these practices they have made organizations  

is a global level A class organization or the best  employers in the world, these all through these  

the world history is there. Now, your I would also  like to mention that is this specially the culture  

whenever we are talking about the leadership,  so, leadership is very much dependent on the  

individual that is true, but if unless and until  that individual is having the best combination  

with the organizational culture and environment. And in a given environment situation, if the  

leader is able to coordinate and compose then  definitely the leadership will be the effective  

leadership will be there for this purpose,  we will talk about that is the there are the  

particular facts, because you will say there  is if leadership depends on the personality,  

then, how we can generalize it if the  leadership depends on the environment,  

how we can generalize and if the leadership  depends on a particular situation,  

then how we can generalize. So, there are the particular leadership  

fits that we all ourselves failed to identify  because in a given situation, I always  

advise my students that is in the classroom, you  will learn to get the ideas and creativity of the  

ideas, but what ideas exactly will work that you  are to see in a given situation at your workplace,  

at your workplace, if you know that is if this is  a situation for example, the role of technology  

for example, role of raw materials,  for example, role of finance.  

So, leadership within context, these  particular dimensions that will require  

that is the what is to be done and how  do we make the effective leadership,  

another very common example is of the change  management, there is how to implement the change  

in a given organization, in a given situation,  in a given culture by the given change agent.  

So, these parameters are very, very important,  if you are making these parameters in a single  

direction, that is why it is know like you will  see in the about in the pointers and styles.  

If the pointers are accurate and styles are  directive, then definitely in that case,  

that leadership will be working is  an effective leadership is there.  

Now, here we will talk about the different  myths about the leadership is there.  

So, the leaders are of only one type. But, as  I mentioned earlier in the previous slide that  

is the leaders are having the different  personalities, leadership depends on the  

personality of the leader and every leader  is having his own personality and we know  

that his personality depends on the heredity,  environment and situation. So, whenever we are  

talking about the heredity, environment,  situation, now how heredity is related.  

Now, some leaders you will find that they are very  happy and it is because of there is the secretion  

of dopamine and in that case, when the environment  is concerned, that is a 40 percent that plays a  

role into a style of the leader. So, leader  cannot be of one type and therefore, whether  

that is the official positions, many times it  has been mentioned it is if the person is on the  

head position is the designation  his general manager, designation  

is vice president then that person is a leader. It is as you know, this is just a myth that is by  

being in a position it does not mean that person  becomes the leader, if you remember and recall my  

previous session on the definition of leadership,  that it is the influence of the behavior.  

So, the leader who influenced the behavior  of others and not it is just because of  

the position then definitely in that case, you  will find that is becoming that is the official  

are the elected for position or offices they  becoming their leaders, it is not true.  

The informal leaders by virtue of their  wisdom and expertise, that is fact so,  

on one side the official the position gives an  opportunity to express leadership the manager,  

you may get the position of manager, but are you  a leader, the position will give an opportunity.  

Similarly, the virtue of your wisdom that will  give you an opportunity to be leader virtue of  

your expertise in a given technical skills, human  skills, conceptual skills, analytical skills,  

designing skills that expertise that  will give you the leadership style.  

And exercise a mix of the leadership variations  are there. So, whenever we are talking about that  

the what is the myth leaders are only of one  type no leaders are whether they are official  

on the basis of the position or on the based on  their wisdom, on the based on their expertise and  

maybe the person at the managerial position with  the mix of their wisdom and expertise that can  

be the leadership variation is there. So, lewin's  3 basic management styles are there authoritative  

and therefore, in that case, the authoritative  style of the leaders they say to do.  

And therefore, they have become the  authoritative, now authoritative can be  

on the basis of their wisdom and expertise  also. So, therefore, we have to understand  

that he is the authoritative persons, the way they  exercise their leadership that will decide that  

is what type of the authoritative leadership  they are having. Similarly, the participative  

style is there and in the participative style  they will be asking, that is the what are the  

different style of the leadership which will  be to be performed in a given situation.  

And they asked to their participants, other team  members, that is the this is the situation and  

what can be the solution and therefore, that will  be the participative style will be there, then  

there is a delegative style, in the case of the  delegative style where the leader he gives a task  

to the others and the others performs a particular  task, but we should not misunderstand that is the  

how this delegative where he is making the person  non-performing it is not Laissez faire style.  

So, in the Laissez faire style, you will find that  a person is not performing in delegative style,  

the person is given the task to the others,  but he is monitoring that particular task.  

So, with the delegation authority is given,  but responsibility is not given well in the  

Laissez faire style of the leadership, it is  the person is not concerned with the authority,  

not concerned with the responsibility. Then Goleman s 6 emotional leadership  

styles are there. First and foremost  is that is a visionary style is there.  

So, whenever we talk about the leader know? So,  leader is who is a leader, who is visionary, who  

creates the vision, vision for the organization,  what will be the vision of the organization?  

Here, I would also like to support that a  visionary aspect with the help of the research  

articulation of vision is not that easy. The vision can be only framed by the experts,  

those who are able to understand  yesterday, today and tomorrow  

if the person understand what were the problems,  

so, whenever we are making the organization tech  savvy organization or about technological based  

organization, then what is our vision, vision  is after 20 years where will be the technology,  

what will be the resources and that  will be the visionary is there.  

Then there is the affiliative style is there,  an affiliative style is there where the persons  

are more concerned with the people or the  team members, those who are working with them,  

then the pacesetting is there slowly  and slowly and they make the develop  

the whole organization systems, then the  coaching style is there where they are having the  

instructions and advises and develop the people  is there, democratic style is there where the  

leader ask the team members that is to  express and that is a participant are the  

team democratic style is there. And commanding style is there that  

is the autocratic style or authoritative style  is there whenever there is this type of these  

situations, then definitely in that case that  the leadership styles there they are becoming  

the different positions are there right  now, Likert s 4 leadership styles are there  

exploitative authoritative, now exploitative  authoritative they are the leader is not giving  

any benefits to the team members, while  the good hearted authoritative are there  

those who are having authoritative positions,  but their intentions are very fair.  

Consultative is there and in  the case of the consultative  

it is the participative style is there where the  people are getting the involved their team members  

and participative style is there where  the decision making is done with the  

help of the people the difference between the  consultative and the participative is there  

that is you are having the  consultation with the others,  

but you are not necessarily following in your  decisions. In the participative style is there,  

where you are joining with your team members  to take the decision and to implement it.  

Second myth is leaders are born and  not made. Leadership is actually a  

procedure for becoming a leader as we are  mentioned that is it is a full process.  

So, earlier it was told that if  the kings' son will become the king  

that is a trait theory was there and on  basis of that it was told that if the prince  

is born in any royal family, then definitely he  will be the only leader or he will be the king  

and but later on it has been seen they  are not become successful leaders.  

Because by just taking birth into a particular  kings family does not make a person a king.  

So, then what makes a king it is particular  training, which is to be provided to that  

the prince so that he proves in the true sense  that prince is not only because of the birth,  

but it is by the act also. Although specific men  and women are born with the innate leadership  

characteristics, so, you see, if you watch the  children's are playing and then you find suddenly  

that one child he becomes the leader and rest  of the his team members they follow him.  

So, but if they are playing themselves and  following the one person, but there is a threat,  

because without proper environment and  the exposure, then they will often fail to  

acquire their full potential and that is why that  direction is very much important that coaching is  

very much important. Because a person may have  that personality traits to become a leader,  

especially taking initiative extrovert is  there, directive is there it might be there,  

but then what is required? There is required an environment,  

if there is an environment and exposure, then  definitely that person who has born in royal  

family are not born in a royal family,  but because of that person initiative  

of his traits which are making him the leader  with the proper exposure and by providing the  

proper exposure and environment. So,  like learning how to ride a bicycle,  

it is also possible to learn how to become  a leader. So, like we learn the swimming,  

bicycling and then driving. So, like this  way, we can also learn that how to become a  

leader and sharpen our leadership expertise. So, let them be the leader leadership begins with  

you. So, it is not like this, there are some  people those who can become the leader (FL)  

they can be the leaders we I cannot be the leader  no, that is a myth, knowledge on leadership  

theories and abilities may be formally gained by  the finding leadership seminar training courses  

and conventions, if you get the training for that,  that is how to become the leader then definitely  

in that case, you will become the leader for  that particular task or this situation.  

So, leadership starts with you, with ourselves  we cannot become a leader in a single day  

lifelong learning is essential  in learning to be a good leader  

for everyday which provides the fresh experience.  Now, you see the situation keep on changing,  

earlier situation may be different now situation  is different, yesterday situation was different,  

today's situation is different. And then  in that case every day what we provide  

the experiences that put our knowledge  skills and frame of mind to a test.  

So, whatever the knowledge we are having, whatever  the skills we are having, so every day they are  

challenge, our knowledge is challenge,  skills is there attitude is a challenge,  

habits are challenge and therefore, they  will be by these facing these challenges,  

we make up our mindset and that mindset to win  the situation that is becoming the important.  

Leadership is the sole act. So, leadership it  is not that is the it is only by the one person  

no, it is shared by the others  those who are your team members.  

So, it is not the responsibility of one person but  instead a shared accountability among people. Now,  

here you see this particular full diagram  and in this particular picture, you will find  

that is the rise of the shared leadership  is there, but so, it is a team building.  

By supporting to each other, the person can reach  to the goal. So, accountability among people of an  

emerging team is there the leader belongs to a  group every single member has a task to meet.  

So, here it is, if you find that is a chain  is there and this change will be connected  

by the each and every member and that is becoming  the team building and not by the single person.  

So, far we have discussed about  the some of the myths related to  

this particular leadership in sole acts and rest  of these myths that we end whether the facts  

are there or I have talked about the research  papers and books that we will discuss into the  

next part right in the next session.  So, thank you, thank you all of you.