Leadership and High Performance Teams Essay Example

leadership. This was complemented by Bass in 1985 with his explanation of the transformative role of a leader and by Schein's explanation of culture's role in leadership. Both were united by the theme of change: Schein emphasized the leader's function in altering culture while Bass's transformational leadership focused on creating fundamental change. In 1990, Gardner broadened the definition of leadership, stating that it is the accomplishment of group objectives, dependent not only on effective leaders but also on innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, available resources, and value questions that affect social cohesion. This definition extends beyond the perception that leadership is confined to one individual and situation.

According to Gardner, leadership involves the attainment of group objectives, which are not necessarily achieved by a single individual, but through the contribution of several group members. The process involves setting direction, moving the group forward, accessing the right resources, and social composition of the group. In 1991, Manz and Sims developed Gardner's idea and debunked the conventional notion of one person accomplishing things for others. They proposed SuperLeadership, where the best leader encourages others to lead themselves. In this case, leadership is not exclusive to those who hold formal positions but available to everyone. To achieve success, leaders must cultivate self-leadership in each individual.

Great leaders are those who empower their followers and utilize their potential and skills. It is not enough for leaders to rely solely on their own abilities; they must also tap into the knowledge and expertise of others. Hogan and Curphy noted in 1994 that traditional leadership models were designed for a male American worker with a high school education in the manufacturing industry. However, the

workforce today is much more diverse and older, and the economy has shifted towards service-based industries. Attracting, retaining, and engaging highly educated and talented employees has become more challenging. Therefore, organizations must provide their employees with meaningful work, challenge, responsibility, autonomy, innovation, and creativity to remain competitive.

According to Wilson et al (1994), the economy has shifted from an industrial focus to an information-based approach. This shift has brought about a greater emphasis on speed and efficiency in both idea generation and adaptation to both internal and external changes. Leaders today must possess the necessary mindset and skill set to facilitate continuous improvement, as noted by Lappas in 1996. This shift towards a team-based environment also necessitates additional skills and behaviors that are crucial for successful leadership beyond the previous emphasis on acquired knowledge alone.

According to Drath and Palus' 1994 perspective, leadership is viewed as a process within a community of practice rather than as someone in control of a group. This community is defined as individuals working together towards common goals, sharing a history and specific values, beliefs, language, and practices. This reframes the typical notion of leadership which involves followers, power, encouragement, and impact.

The current belief is that leadership involves organizing and working together as a team, without the need for coercion or motivation. Everyone is considered capable of taking an active leadership role, emphasizing self-leadership. This approach encourages the participation of all levels of the workforce, including front line workers and CEOs, in decision-making and adapting to change. This is the foundation for self-directed teams and creates a culture of continuous learning within the organization.

A learning organization is becoming more common as

organizations aim for self-awareness and motivation towards a shared goal. This shift reduces the need for formal leaders to monitor behavior and address issues. Each employee is responsible for their own work and the team's results, determining priorities and approaches to completing tasks. This means everyone must demonstrate leadership qualities. Without clear policies or guidelines, personal judgment is required and people rely on individual paradigms.