Reflection - Topic 5 Contingency Leadership Theories

Topic 5  Contingency Leadership Theories

This topic delves into different leadership models and how each of these leadership styles are suited for different situations.

Here's what I've learnt...

If I were to summarised what I've learned from this topic, I would divide it into 4 main parts.

First, what is Contingency Leadership Theories to me? 

Contingency Leadership Theories explains that a successful leadership is not directly proportional to the abilities of a leader, but rather depends on the situational favorableness and how it interacts with the leader's leadership style. The least-preferred coworker scale (LPC) can be utilized to assigns an individual's leadership style as either task-oriented or relationship-oriented.

Second, what is The Leadership Continuum Model? 

The Leadership Continuum Model says there are variations of leadership practices along a continuum that moves from an autocratic leadership style (boss-centered leadership) towards democratic (subordinate-centered leadership). The area of authority by a leader and the area of freedom for an employee is redefined constantly by interactions between them and the situations/variables at a particular time.

Third, what is Path-Goal Leadership Model? 

The Path-Goal Leadership Model is a theory specifying that a leader's success is governed by their ability to select a suitable leadership style (directive, supportive, participative, or achievement-oriented) under current situational forces in order to boost contentment and maximise performance in their employees.

Fourth and the last, what is Contingency Leadership - Prescriptive, Descriptive, Normative Model?

The Prescriptive Model emphasizes on "what to do", thus a leader will directly instructs his subordinates which style to use in a given situation; the descriptive model emphasizes on "what is", thus a leader will recognize the fact that contingency variables arise all the time and does not direct which style to use in a given situation; the normative leadership model emphasizes on "what is better", thus a leader will decide which leadership styles (decide, consult individually, consult group, facilitate, and delegate) is best to use in a given situation based on time-driven and development-driven decision tree.

Here's what I thought...

In the previous topic of leadership model, leadership is divided into 2 genres, autocratic and democratic leadership. However, after understanding this topic, I think that true leadership in real life lies somewhere between the two extremes. It is a continuum of leadership behaviour, and along which many leadership styles may be placed. 

Regardless, a leader should be flexible and fine-tunes the way he spearheads the team depending on the circumstances. As the saying goes, “the only constant in life is change”. There is no best way to lead a team, but being rigid and refusing to adapt to the current situation is definitely a bad example of leadership.

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Reflection - Topic 6 Communication, Coaching & Conflict Skills

 Topic 6 Communication, Coaching & Conflict Skills 

After reading this topic, I have a better comprehension of communication process, three parts of message receiving processes: paraphrasing, feedback, coaching and conflict.

Here's what I've learnt...

Communication

Communication encompasses two parts, the relaying and the receiving of message, and it is one of the essential skills of an excellent leader. When communicating face-to-face, it is important to first build a good impression, express your intention, then relay your message, make your receiver understands your message, and don't forget to follow up.

If you are on the receiving end, make sure to listen, analyse and understand the information conveyed. This can be done by rephrasing the sender's message in your own words based on your understanding. Feedback is also highly commended by the end of a conversation.

Coaching

Moving on to coaching model. Coaching is an activity whereby a person develops constructive relationship with its follower, providing modelling, training, recognition and timely feedback in order to nurture an individual's talent. 

Conflicts

When it comes to communication, conflicts are bound to happen. We can adopt five different styles to manage conflict. First conflict management style is (1) collaborating and this often results in a desirable win-win situation. (2) Negotiating, on the other hand, results in win-win situation as well, but both parties suffer some losses at the same time. By (3) accommodating, the opposite party wins while you lose. The opposite of accommodating would be (4) forcing, in which the opposite party suffers loss. Lastly, by (5) avoiding conflict, both parties sustain losses.

Regardless of the choice of style in conflict management, we can adopt an universal conflict resolution model, which can be summarized into 4 simple processes -  four stages: awareness, self-preparation, conflict reduction and negotiation.

Here's what I thought...

Communication is a valuable soft skills that every individual should master. Communication is a two way street, whereby both sender and receiver are responsible for the accurate transmission of message. Besides relaying message, feedback is also an important part of communication. Feedback ensures that receiver understand the message and allows sender to improve himself/herself based on the receiver's comments. Effective communication not only allows task to be completed effectively and efficiently, it also greatly reduces the occurrence of conflict. 

However, no matter how proficient an individual is in its communication skills, conflicts are inevitable part of our daily lives due to differences in opinion. Therefore, conflict resolving skill is also another important soft skill one must master. Successful management of conflict allows both parties to reap the maximal possible benefit out of a situation and reduces loss, which is also an important attribute of a good leader.

Communication, Coaching & Conflict Skills in Teaching Profession...

As a teacher, communication is essential not only to children, also to colleagues and parents. With good communication skills, message can be sent clearly with least confusion and misunderstanding. Without the skill, conflicts can occur and resolving them can troublesome and tiring. It causes bad impact to relationship too. 

Other than that, coaching happens everyday in my profession too. Other than coaching little children every day, we took turns to be a coach and receive coaching. That process is called Latihan Dalam Perkhidmatan (LDP), or Professional Learning Community (PLC). LDP and PLC is extremely useful when conducted properly. Discussions about pupils' proficiency, teaching and learning activities, assessment methods and other related fields are included in LDP and PLC.

My conflict resolving skills often involves kids. When they fight or quarrel, teacher as the leader in class will help in resolving conflicts. We often follow the an universal conflict resolution model. Understanding the conflict will enable us to take appropriate actions. 

1- awareness : What happened? 

2- self-preparation : Why did it happen? 

3- conflict reduction : How would you be less angry? 

4- negotiation : How would you suggest to solve? 

That's all for today. See you next week! :) 

Reflection - Topic 4 Power, Politics, Networking and Negotiation

Topic 4- Power, Politics, Networking & Negotiation 

Power, politics, networking and negotiating are four of the main influencing strategies used by leaders, either for the benefit of the team or for the benefit of their own.

Here's what I've learnt...

POWER is the capacity to direct the behaviours of others. It allows the leader to change the course of direction, and subsequently the outcome of an event. The 2 main sources of power discussed in this topic are positional power and personal power. Positional power is power bestowed to an individual by holding a specific rank in a team, whereas personal power is power earned by an individual through his/her attitude without the use of formal authority.

POLITICS, on the other hand, are means employed by an individual at advancing his/her status or expanding power within an organization. Networking is utilized as one of the political tactics to establish social circles, whereas reciprocity is a tool for mutual exchange of benefits. In order to increase one's political power, a coalition is usually formed, whereby a group of people temporarily work together to accomplish a common objective.

NETWORKING, a process involving exchanging of ideas and information through encountering new people who share a common interests, is also a powerful way to exert influence. This is because networking not only creates connections, it enhances your professional identity and opens you up to various job opportunities. It is one of the most effective ways to escalate quickly in your career and pave your way in becoming a successful leader.

NEGOTIATION is a discussion between two disagreeing parties to find common ground or to resolve conflicts. Negotiation is no easy process. It can be condensed into a 5-steps-process, which involves preparation and planning, definition and ground rules, clarification and justification, bargaining and problem solving, and lastly, closure and implementation.

Here's what I thought...

I find this topic really interesting, because through my observation, the four influencing strategies discussed above are not only used in the adult world, but also unconsciously used by my students to influence their peers, or sometimes even the teacher.

For example, in school, prefects use their positional power to make other students follow their orders. Prefects even hold the power to give demerit points to their fellow friends who misbehaved. Aside from obtaining knowledge, students also learn about networking in school. The social circles that are built in school can serve as a foundation for students to develop confidence, friendships and even to find a job in the future.

Students are also exposed to politics through activities such as student council elections. A national survey done by the Australian secondary school students found that voting in school elections is a good predictor of adult political engagement. In my opinion, this is an invaluable experience for students, as politic permeates throughout all aspects of life. A glimpse into the political world allow students to understand their rights as a citizen of a country and how every single one of them hold the power to change the framework of an organisation/ government and the direction it moves forward towards.

I would like to end this reflection with some word of wisdom by John C. Maxwell - "Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less...titles don't have much value when it comes to leading. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned, it comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned."

Reflection - Topic 3 Leadership, Behaviour and Motivation

 Topic 3 Leadership Behaviour and Motivation

This topic delves into different leadership models and how each of these leadership styles are suited for different situations.

Here's what I've learnt...

Leadership behaviour is a conduct whereby the leader sets an example and the followers pursue.

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University of Iowa leadership style explores leadership from two ends. An autocratic leader is the decision maker and gives direct instructions to his employees, whereas a democratic leader inspires shared decision-making with employees. 

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The University of Michigan Leadership Model identifies 2 broad leadership styles. In the job-centered leadership style, the leader has the final say, whereas in the employee-centered leadership style, input from the employees and well respected.

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The last leadership model discussed in this topic is The Ohio State University Leadership Model. This model narrows down effective leadership into two types of behaviour, people-oriented (consideration) and task oriented (initiating structure).

Aside from leadership styles, this topic also discusses several major motivation theories such as content motivation theories, process motivation theories and reinforcement theory, and how motivation can influence actions, which in turn influence the outcome of an event.

Here's what I thought...

After understanding three of these leadership models, I can see myself looking at top leaders of all times and analysing the way they lead.

Take Steve Jobs for example, he was an autocratic leader who took up the responsibility in making decisions and setting the direction for his company. He surrounded himself with like-minded, agreeable individuals who would follow his lead and execute his visions his way. This sets Apple up for an industry-defining success. 

On the other hand, Nelson Mandela, a charismatic democrat, took a different approach in leadership. While Mandela was the leader of the Congress, he inspired his people by helping them understand the values and importance of his visions. He encouraged them to develop their own understanding of what is important for the country, like the fight for equality by eliminating racial discrimination. This inspiring leadership has contributed to helping the country with overcoming the apartheid and developing it into a stable modern democracy.

This proves that there is no right or wrong when it comes to leading a team. Different situation calls for different leadership styles and to me, the best leadership style is the one that maximises a team’s potential and elevates the team to success. With this in mind, motivation plays a very important role. No matter how excellent a leader and his employees are, without the right drive of motivation, there is no reason for a team to put their shoulders to the wheel to achieve success.

In my profession as a teacher, I am a leader in the classroom. I found that to younger children, I tend to take the autocratic style to make sure that they become literate. I believe in building good habit in the young age so that self-directed learning can be supported later. With my year 6 pupils, I enjoy being their friend and their sister. Of course there are some strict rules in classroom. For instance, do not swear, work should be done nicely and punctually. However, I have given them more space to decide the progress of getting things done. They can either do it in groups or alone, use a dictionary or ask a friend. As long as learning occurs, they can have their fun while learning. 

Just like leadership, there's no one style that suits all in teaching and learning. I enjoy exploring different leadership style with different kids. That's the fun in being a teacher. 😙😙

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