Leadership Chapter 2 Notes

Key Terms:

Accountability -Willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions

Authority - Legal or rightful power

Autocratic - A leadership style focused on the leader as the undisputed authority

Delegate - To transfer responsibility for a task to another person

Democratic - A leadership style that allows participation of followers in making decisions

Morale - State of the spirits of a person or group, especially their willingness toperform assigned tasks

Self-Discipline - One’s ability to control their behavior

Persuade -To influence thinking or action by means of argument or reasoning

Key Points:

The Commanding Officer is the Authority in Charge with complete responsibility and accountability for all things within his or her command. This responsibility cannot be delegated. This person has the burden of both responsibility and accountability.

A leader who is unsuccessful in a mission must account for both deeds and results - good intentions are much less important.

Drill teaches self-discipline, because it requires the unit to act as one person.

Leadership decision making is on a spectrum from autocratic to democratic.

The autocratic style of leadership is best for short term missions, and is centered on the leader

The democratic style of leadership is best for longer term missions, tailored to job requirements. It includes participation of the followers as well as the leader in decision making.

There are five leadership styles for convincing followers to do a job

Telling: The leader keeps all authority and gives the group little freedom. Leader decides….group follows.

Selling: The leader makes the decision, then persuades the group that this decision is “best” for the group.

Testing: The leader states the problem, picks a possible solution, and lets the group react to this solution. Possibly accepting suggestions, the leader makes a final decision and informs the group.

Consulting: The leader presents the problem and asks for ideas from the group members. The group recommends solutions; the leader selects one, and informs the group.

Joining: The group decides and the leader follows. Here the leader is just another member of the group and agrees to carry out the group’s decision.

Communication:

There are four skills necessary for communication:

Reading: When reading longer text, save time, effort and increase understanding byScanning material first for main ideas, then…Re-reading for details

Writing: There are four important steps to follow for effective writing:

  1. Clarify your purpose: Be able to say why you are writing, who will read it, and what you expect the reader to do after reading it
  2. Limit the subject: Material should be limited to what suits your purpose above. Don’t waste time with extra material.
  3. List your ideas: List ideas for your reader. As you read and research, write down ideas and change them later if necessary.
  4. Organize your ideas into groups: Use an outline to organize and plan. Main ideas are followed by important subheadings, then by supporting information

Speaking: There are five basic steps for an effective speech:

  1. Determine the purpose of the speech: Having “zeroed in” on your purpose, stick to it. Don’t wander in your research or your writing.
  2. Narrow the scope of your topic: Do not try to cover too much in one speech. You will bore your listeners if you do. Most good speeches can be given in 15 minutes or less
  3. Choose a subject of interest to you and your audience: Keep in mind the maturity of your audience. Do not rely just on what you know about the subject. Do research to be sure your information is correct.
  4. Make an outline to organize your speech: Note facts and figures so you don’t make mistakes.
  5. Practice your speech: Say it in front of a mirror or use a tape recorder, keeping time. Listen to yourself and observe your gestures. This practice will give you confidence.

Listening: There are four rules to becoming a better listener:

  1. Get ready to listen: Do not place all the responsibility on the speaker. You must be alert!
  2. Take responsibility for understanding: Do some thinking as you listen. If you listen to just the words, you may miss the overall message. Repeat what you thought you heard to be sure, and don’t go away in doubt.
  3. Listen to understand rather than to disagree: Listen and wait; try to understand first and evaluate second. Don’t let emotions cloud the matter. Question only after speech or lesson is finished.
  4. Listen for main ideas: Take notes and come to a lecture, meeting or class prepared to do so. This helps you stay alert.