What does leadership mean: A definition
In addition to planning, organizing and controlling, leading is a component of management. The recurring process of planning, organizing, leading and controlling is known as the “Deming Wheel”.
Leadership is therefore not to be equated with management, but an essential facet of management.
Basics and principles for the successful management of personnel
Performing these tasks takes time – a lot of time. As a master craftsman or master craftsman, you should use 40%-50% of your available time for leadership, as a department manager 60% and as a managing director more like 70%. Most leaders spend significantly less time leading. This then leads to deficits in motivation, orientation and commitment. Don’t make this mistake. Lead your employees!
In order to be able to lead other people, you must first lead properly yourself.
The tasks of personnel management
Leading includes tasks such as:
- inform,
- Building up trust,
- orientate,
- use and assign tasks,
- agree on goals,
- to appreciate,
- recognize,
- motivate,
- promote strengths,
- support,
- coach
- demand
- and criticize (criticism can also be understood as appreciation!).
The list of tasks shows how diverse leadership is.
Different management styles at a glance
Different leadership styles can be observed:
- autocratic,
- charismatic,
- bureaucratic (according to Max Weber),
- authoritarian,
- democratically,
- participatory,
- laissez-faire (after Kurt Lewin)
Nothing is right in every situation. Rather, stick with Robert R. Blake and Jane Mouton and lead situationally, based on the people to lead and the tasks that need to be accomplished.
Concrete goals of leadership in companies
The following goals of leadership are conceivable:
- alignment of employee activities with corporate goals
- personal, professional and academic development of employees and managers
- motivating employees and managers to achieve performance and results
- employee loyalty to the company
- strengthening the company’s competitiveness
The better the company’s goals align with the employees’ goals, the less friction there will be and the more efficient and successful the company will be. It is crucial to recognize the motives of the employees and managers and to deploy the employees and managers in the company according to their motives.
Further training in personnel management: seminars, courses and coaching
Leading can be understood as a craft. People management can be learned. Seminars, courses and coaching are available for this purpose.