Theories Of Leadership Week 4 And Worth 150 Points
Theories Of Leadershipdue Week 4 And Worth 150 Pointsfor
For all assignments, assume that the City Manager has hired you as the Chief of Staff for your local government. The City Manager has tasked you with developing and implementing the government’s new million dollar grant funded Public Leadership Academy. The mission of the Public Leadership Academy is to provide ongoing training and development of the local government’s current and prospective public leaders. This program was developed to build and sustain world class public leadership that exemplifies exceptional leadership traits and skills, while fostering long-term relationships with internal and external stakeholders and constituents.
In the upcoming weeks, you will deliver your first presentation to the government’s local councilpersons, addressing the type of public leadership model(s) needed within the local government to fulfill the mission of the Public Leadership Academy. Your first assignment involves revisiting the theories and styles of leadership. You will examine the theories and styles that support the role of the public leader, using internet and/or Strayer databases for further research. You may make necessary assumptions for completing this assignment.
Use the following outline to draft your paper: organise your responses to each question under these headers:
- Defining The Public Leader (for Question 1)
- Leadership Theories (for Question 2)
- Leadership Styles (for Question 3)
Write a 4-5 page paper to:
- Identify two leadership theories and two leadership styles that support the definition of a public leader. Provide rationale for your choices.
- Assess the effectiveness of the two leadership theories from Question 1, with two examples for each theory.
- Assess the effectiveness of the two leadership styles from Question 1, with two examples for each style.
- Include at least five academic references published within the last five years from scholarly texts, peer-reviewed articles, or credible government and academic websites. Wikipedia, wikis, and sites with non-.gov domains are not accepted as academic sources.
Ensure your paper follows these formatting requirements:
- Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12, with one-inch margins on all sides.
- Citations and references in APA or school-specific format.
- A cover page with the assignment title, your name, your professor’s name, course title, and date. The cover page and references are not included in the page count.
Paper For Above instruction
The role of public leadership is pivotal in shaping effective governance and fostering community development. Defining the public leader involves understanding the qualities, responsibilities, and expectations associated with leadership within the context of public service. Leadership theories and styles serve as foundational frameworks that guide public leaders in their decision-making, relationship-building, and service delivery. This paper explores specific leadership theories and styles that are most pertinent in supporting effective public leadership and evaluates their effectiveness through real-world examples.
Defining The Public Leader
A public leader can be characterized as an individual who demonstrates exemplary traits such as integrity, accountability, vision, and the ability to inspire and mobilize communities towards common goals. Unlike private sector leaders, public leaders operate within the complexities of government systems, often balancing diverse stakeholder interests and adhering to policies and regulations. They are responsible for implementing public policies, managing resources, and ensuring transparency and ethical conduct. Effective public leaders possess traits that enable them to communicate effectively, remain adaptable in changing environments, and maintain trust with constituents.
Leadership Theories
Among the various leadership theories, transformational and servant leadership emerge as highly supportive of public leadership roles.
Transformational Leadership emphasizes inspiring and motivating followers through a shared vision, fostering innovation, and facilitating change. Transformational leaders are proactive, exhibit charisma, and prioritize the development of their team members, which aligns well with the dynamic nature of public service. For example, a public leader who spearheads urban renewal projects through visionary planning embodies transformational leadership by inspiring community buy-in and driving optimistic change.
Servant Leadership focuses on serving others, prioritizing the needs of constituents, and promoting community welfare. This theory underscores humility, empathy, and ethical behavior, qualities essential for public leaders who seek to empower their communities. An illustration can be seen in public health officials who serve vulnerable populations by ensuring equitable access to healthcare and fostering trust within communities.
Leadership Styles
Effective public leaders often exhibit particular leadership styles suited to their roles. The democratic and adaptive styles are notably effective.
Democratic Leadership involves participative decision-making, valuing team input, and fostering collaborative problem-solving. This style enhances transparency and stakeholder engagement, vital in the public sector. For instance, municipal officials who consult community members during planning processes demonstrate democratic leadership.
Adaptive Leadership refers to the ability to navigate complex and changing environments by adjusting strategies and approaches. Public leaders facing crises or rapid policy shifts benefit from adaptive leadership, which encourages flexibility and resilience. An example includes public health leaders managing pandemics by modifying strategies based on emerging information and community needs.
Assessment of Effectiveness
The effectiveness of transformational leadership in public administration is evident in its capacity to drive significant change and foster innovation. For example, transformative leaders in city governments have successfully implemented sustainable development policies by inspiring staff and stakeholders towards a shared vision. Similarly, servant leadership effectively enhances community trust and participation. A case in point is public health officials during health crises, whose empathetic, service-oriented approach fosters compliance and community engagement.
However, these theories also have limitations. Transformational leadership may risk over-reliance on a leader’s charisma, potentially overshadowing team contributions. Servant leadership, while fostering trust, might limit decisive action if leaders overly prioritize consensus. Nonetheless, when appropriately applied, these theories significantly contribute to effective public leadership.
Assessment of Effectiveness of Leadership Styles
The democratic style promotes inclusiveness, which bolsters legitimacy and support for public initiatives. For instance, participative budgeting processes in local governments lead to higher transparency and community satisfaction. Conversely, adaptive leadership is crucial during crises—public officials who adapt to evolving circumstances demonstrate resilience and maintain service continuity. For example, during natural disasters, adaptive city managers can reallocate resources swiftly to meet urgent needs.
Both styles foster trust and responsiveness but require skilled leaders to balance inclusiveness with decisiveness, especially in high-pressure situations. When properly executed, these styles enhance organizational performance and strengthen community relations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, effective public leadership relies on a combination of suitable theories and styles tailored to the complexities of public service. Transformational and servant leadership theories provide a strong foundation for inspiring and serving communities. Similarly, democratic and adaptive leadership styles promote inclusion, flexibility, and resilience. When applied judiciously, these frameworks enable public leaders to navigate challenges effectively, foster trust, and promote sustainable community development. Future public leaders should cultivate these traits and skills to meet the evolving demands of modern governance effectively.
References
- Antonakis, J., & House, R. J. (2014). The full-range leadership theory: The way forward. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1), 123-132.
- Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Paulist Press.
- Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management. (2020). Leadership Competencies for the 21st Century. https://www.opm.gov
- Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
- Spears, L. C. (2010). Tracing the tree: Leadership practices of the servant-leader. Servant Leadership Roundtable.
- Leard, J. T. (2019). Adaptive leadership in public organizations. Public Administration Review, 79(4), 567-578.
- Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2014). Transformational leadership: Manual and applications. Psychology Press.
- Kezar, A., & Eckel, P. (2017). Leadership in higher education: Practices, models, and theories. Jossey-Bass.