Page 2 - Lesson Note 5

organizational goals. The leader brings the people and their efforts together to
achieve common goals.

4. Continuous process: Leadership is a continuous process. A leader has to guide his
employees every time and also monitor them in order to make sure that their
efforts are going in the same direction and that they are not deviating from their
goals.
5. Group process: It is a group process that involves two or more people together

interacting with each other. A leader cannot lead without the followers.
6. Dependent on the situation: It is situation bound as it all depends upon tackling
the situations present. Thus, there is no single best style of leadership.

The term leader emerges from leadership. An individual possessing attributes of
leadership is known as leader. While discussing about leadership, it is important to
understand leader–follower relationship. Many times, the success of an organization is
attributed to the leader, but due credit is not given to the followers. Many followers
related factors like – their skills, knowledge, commitment, willingness to cooperate, team

spirit etc., make a person an effective leader. It is said that followers make a person, a
good leader by acceptance of leadership. Therefore, it is to be recognized that both leader
and follower play key role in leadership process.

Importance of Leadership:
1. Initiating Action: Leadership starts from the very beginning, even before the
work actually starts. A leader is a person who communicates the policies and plans
to the subordinates to start the work.
2. Providing Motivation: A leader motivates the employees by giving them

financial and non-financial incentives and gets the work done efficiently.
Motivation is the driving force in an individual’s life.
3. Providing guidance: A leader not only supervises the employees but also guides
them in their work. He instructs the subordinates on how to perform their work

effectively so that their efforts don’t get wasted.
4. Creating confidence: A leader acknowledges the efforts of the employees,
explains to them their role clearly and guides them to achieve their goals. He also
resolves the complaints and problems of the employees, thereby building
confidence in them regarding the organization.

5. Building work environment: A good leader should maintain personal contacts
with the employees and should hear their problems and solve them. He always
listens to the point of view of the employees and in case of disagreement

persuades them to agree with him by giving suitable clarifications. In case of