As is stated often in the Community Tool Box, it's important that any collaboration you enter into be consistent with your mission and philosophy. Leaders also have to motivate themselves, and not just to seem, but actually to be, enthusiastic about what they're doing. Transformational leadership. As we discussed above, there are challenges that come from external sources (other people, situations), from internal sources (within the leader herself), and from the circumstances of leadership. Infact, to be very honest; managing people is one of the most challenging tasks. The founder and director of a prominent think tank once went seven years without a day off - including Sundays. In a world of disruptive digital business models, augmented workforces, flattened organizations, and an ongoing shift to team-based work practices, organizations are challenging their leaders to step up and show the way forward. Every leader is faced with challenges. Even rabid opposition can often be overcome through a combination of respect, political pressure, and creative problem solving. To handle these demands, leaders must be flexible and adaptable. For the external, these include: For internal challenges, some strategies are: Finally, strategies for coping with those challenges that stem directly from the circumstance of leadership: If you can employ some or all of these strategies to cope with the challenges that leadership brings, you're likely to be an effective and successful leader. Remember, any problem in the team, you will be held responsible. There are few groups or individuals who don't have some common interests. Machiavelli, N. (1998). One wrong decision and the entire blame comes on you. © 1994-2020 The University of Kansas. Avoid favouritism. Taking a look around will tell you a lot about what - and how - you're doing as a leader. They'll help to remind you of why you're doing this in the first place, give you an opportunity to work on group solidarity, and - ideally - leave you feeling refreshed and ready to carry on. Can you expand your horizons and your reach through collaboration? Some of the issues that leaders have to cope with specifically because they're leaders are: Perhaps even more threatening than burnout is "burn-down" - the loss of passion and intensity that can come with familiarity and long service. Nearly all of them agree on the positive effects good leaders have had on the efficiency of organizations. Learn how to use our strategies to help leaders cope with the internal and external challenges; and challenges stemming from the circumstance of being a leader. Let them know what you're doing, get and give support, and work with them to the extent you can. Many people find meditation or some form of self-discovery helpful in understanding themselves and in getting through change. In an organization, such issues as lack of funding and other resources, opposition from forces in the community, and interpersonal problems within the organization often rear their heads. Some people are placed in a leadership position without the necessar… Don't get sucked into a fight unless there's really no alternative. The fast-paced environment in which they thrive leaves many fast-growing companies facing three key leadership challenges. Never ever loose your temper. The biggest challenge in leadership is to listen to everyone’s opinions and come to a mutually beneficial solution. Section 6. That will come out if you mediate objectively and well.If you're faced with detractors or opposition, don't automatically assume they're villains. New York, NY: Basic Books. They often arise in periods of instability or change, such when a program or period of work is beginning or ending, or when a group or organization is in transition. He instituted a number of regulations and reforms that didn't work because of his inability to listen to negative feedback, and his relationships with those in the field deteriorated drastically. Divorce, deaths, personal financial reverses - in short, any of the same personal issues that anyone else might have to face - can beset any leader at any time. When a grass roots group is doing well - gathering allies, getting its message across, attracting funding - no one much notices what the director does; but when something unexpected happens, she's expected to take care of it, often in a very public way. Leaders can be looked on as authority figures, as saviors, as fixers of things that are broken, as spiritual guides, as mentors, as models, as inspirers, as teachers...in short, they may be seen however others choose to see them. If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable. One of the greatest challenges of leadership is facing your own personal issues, and making sure they don't prevent you from exercising leadership. You just can’t run away from the situation. Listen to people's responses to your ideas, plans, and opinions. Don't feel you have to do it all on your own. He continued to tout his willingness to ask for opinions and advice from providers, but was never able either to accept disagreement, or to accept the suggestion that he was anything but completely open and collaborative. If there's a philosophical difference among the staff of an organization, for instance, it's important that it be acknowledged and discussed. Sit with your subordinates and make them realize that your job is not to rule over them but work as a team. Acknowledging the attitudes and tendencies that get in your way, and working to overcome them, is absolutely necessary if you're to become an effective leader. Regardless of the situation, it's important for leaders to do something. If you're meeting their needs, the chances are they will be. Learn more. Your subordinates will come to you for work and it is your duty to delegate responsibilities. This is important both within and outside your group or organization. Lack of projects, scarcity of funds and lack of support from clients are some of the external challenges faced by a leader. These will serve both to review the vision to see if it still resonates (and to rework it if necessary), and to renew your and others' purpose and pursuit of it. Or do calm and good feeling seem to reside wherever you do? Some particular times when challenges may arise: One community-based organization faced all of the above circumstances at once. Servant Leadership: Accepting and Maintaining the Call of Service, Section 4. Gardner, H., & Howard G. (1998). Never feel bad about the sudden change in the behaviour of your colleagues. He struggled with the decision itself...but once he made it, he accepted that it was done, and there was no point in agonizing further. It's a function of leadership to have the courage to name the conflict and work on it. New York, NY: Harper Collins. You really need to extract the best out of your team members and handhold them even in the worst situations. Leaders today face new challenges due to the speed of technological, social, and economic change. When the advice from the field was negative, however, he invariably ignored it, and got angry if anyone suggested that he was not really being collaborative if he only listened to advice when it confirmed his plans or beliefs.

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