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The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers´

Ralph Naderp

The leadership readiness concept dates back to the early days of information management,
proposed by x


in 1952 at M.I.T to strengthen the constructive leadership and
human judgment in the information age. Since the 1960s this concept has guided the design of
simple yet powerful and challenging practices to improve leadership selection, information flow,
coordination and quality control. An effective leader does not only have the dynamic skills
required but also conviction in him and prompt willingness to act.

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 are the primary components required to become a leader. Ability consists
of knowledge, experience, training, and understanding priorities. How well a person performs his
duties can be analyzed though performance appraisals, it can also be objectively examined,
tested and given an empirical value. A leaders extraordinary abilities sets them apart from the
crowd, they possess various skills like analytical, decision-making and communication etc. A
person getting ready to be a leader must acquire all the skills necessary to lead effectively.

Willingness on the other hand consists of desire, confidence and commitment. It can be proved
when someone makes great amount of effort or goes an extra mile to complete a task. It reflects
dedication to a job and people love to follow leaders who are passionate and provide them with a
sense of purpose. Therefore willingness is the key ingredient of µLeadership readiness¶. This
readiness can be simplistically graphed in the following four-quadrant matrix.
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c Y V If someone is truly unable to perform a task, it is not fair to ask them to
be accountable for it. Minimally, the ability needs to be developed to an appropriate level before
ownership can be accepted. If we want some one to move along the scale from left to right by
developing the skills required to be a leader we need to educate them and give honest feedbacks.
Training, mentoring and on the job opportunities give people the chance to progress to a state of
competency. However movement along the ability line is unlikely if a person is not also moving
up the scale of willingness.

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V Even if someone is able to do something, if they lack the
confidence, motivation or commitment it just won't get done or done well. A common
characteristic of high-achieving leaders is a deep sense of enthusiasm. An effective leader is a
person with a passion for a cause that is larger than they are. Leaders have a drive to work hard
and achieve goals that is why their teams become high performing and produce at the highest
level possible. People vary considerably in their collective and individual states of readiness but
the ones possessing both ability and willingness (Can and Wants to, seen at top right side of
matrix) are most ready to become leaders.

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eadiness will govern the approach or style of leadership and to a large degree the success of the
leadership experience for both the leader and those being led. It is the responsibility of a leader to
recognize the state of readiness of followers to apply a productive approach to teams and develop
people so they can also become leaders one day. It is critical to remember that these components
of readiness are situation specific. Four distinct readiness levels, based on different combinations
of task-specific ability and willingness, are possible which can be matched to different leadership
styles. Each of the four leadership styles mentioned below can naturally fit one of the four
readiness levels.

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R4 = High Readiness:x

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R3 = Moderate to High Readiness:0  

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R2 = Low to Moderate Readiness:c
 

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¦tyle 1=   

¦tyle 2=   

¦tyle 3=    

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         V Everyone, no matter how competent, has areas where they
have not been successful and lack confidence or desire. If ability and willingness are low, what a
leader can do to help? What followers need is a great deal of structure (what, where, when, and
how). With sufficient direction people will succeed and their potential will be transformed into
ability.

        
   V Everyone has areas where they are willing and
confident but lack the ability to do the task. Often at the 2 level enthusiasm is mistaken for
know-how, by both the leader and the other person. If left alone the risk is failure. This can result
of a loss of confidence, self-doubt, and unwillingness to try again. The best help leader can give
in such situations is high direction combined with high support. Structure is still needed because
of their limited experience. A high amount of two-way communication builds on their desire and
confidence to learn new things.

   
     V Everyone has been in situations where their
ability is newly developed. At the 
level, individuals have the ability but haven't yet
developed the confidence to put that ability to work. What leader can provide is reassurance and
reinforcement for their ideas and actions. By being available and a good listener leader are
encouraging the person to take the lead. Anytime leader shifts responsibility for decisions to
others, it is natural for people¶s confidence to drop. With appropriate support and participation
confidence grows to complement ability.

       . High ability and high willingness combine at eadiness
Level 4. On these tasks, people have sufficiently internalized the knowledge, skill, confidence,
and desire needed to perform within established guidelines. What they need is sufficient
information and enough latitude to carry out their responsibilities. People at this level have what
it takes to be effective leaders so leadership readiness level is highest.

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Anatomy of Leadership eadiness is a model which focuses on the various physical parts of a
leader¶s body. How they behave and work in an individual to bring out a true leader and prepare
him / her for the role. What factors are involved in shapingup a leader, in preparing him / her to
take up the leadership role, getting him / her ready to be precise? In studying

the various aspects of readiness we have developed a leadership readiness model with the help of
human anatomy. In preparing this model the factors involved, are ordered, ranked and discussed
with respect to their importance in how the leaders use them to become great leaders.These
contributed factors are Head, Heart, Gut, Tongue, Ear, Eye, Hand, Feet. Let see how these
factors contributed towards the physical preparation of leader to become a great and
extraordinary leader.

Let see how these factors contributed for the leader readiness.
In this research work Wali has described the leadership model by focusing on the functions of
different human body parts contributing towards formulating a good leader. He has divided the
parts as per their functionality and significance.

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Head is the foremost part of the body. All human body functions from cognition to physical are
controlled and directed by this integral part of the body. That¶s why for being a ³Leader´,
contribution of this part is the most important and significant.

The author has highlighted some core-qualities of this part of the body, which are essential for
the formation of a leader. First of all leaders have visions for his/her tasks and achievements. To
follow that vision they have practiced certain skills like, the ability to transfer their objectives in
to their followers by making them explore their hidden qualities but without losing the originality
and vision and the segregation of rationality and emotionality by poring over the big picture and
an analytical review of unconventional aspects of a problem, and trying to get the insight of what
is expected by the individuals from the organization and vise-versa.

Moreover leaders not only derive other people but also themselves by implementing certain
conditions on them like they have a control upon their emotions and decision making process
with being involved in their vision. Leaders never get nervous, excited, convinced or angry
abruptly. They have the quality to give the right weight age to each matter according to their
significance and to admit their mistakes as well.

 

In this section most of the things are related to the emotions as we all know about the heart is the
centre of all emotional feelings for a human being but at the same time it is the main source of
life-blood. Its part in the leadership is as same as its function in the life, concrete and sensitive.

There are some certain qualities which a leader¶s heart should have contain.
Leaders¶ heart should proficient for resolving the matters of their sphere of influence with the
integrity of ³Let¶s do it´ behavior´ and the readiness of learning and adopting change with an
intellectuality of assessing the situations. A leader¶s heart has courage to accept challenge and
failures as a member of his team by experiencing the same feelings.



Like head and heart, gut is also a key player in leadership process. It inspires a leader and the
followers to achieve new heights of success. Leadership based on fellowship and can not be
completed without gut. Leaders have to implement bizarre and distinctive ideas by their whole
strength, their followers. In this regard they need to support and sometimes defend the statement
that is considered impossible for rivals and for followers itself. It is the gut feeling that making
³possible´ to ³impossible´. At the same time this quality enables a leader to take impartial and
strong decision and remain stick to it¶

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For a leader tongue is the only tool by which he/she can get the desired results from his/her
followers. The words that are occurred from the tongue of the leader are the source of inspiration
and motivation. Leader has to be very tactful as well as trustworthy. The message should convey
in a way that are not only cure for the lower morale followers but the main source of wisdom and
courage for those who are thinking out of the box as per leader desire. Moreover it is necessary
to be inline with the emotions and the fire that burns within the leader. Say what they really
mean to be authentic and role model for others.

 


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It is more difficult and necessary to be a good listener for influence and get the changes you
desire. Both are the basics of leadership. Ear is one of the input organ of the human body.
Leaders should listen every type of information from his/her team members, with great patient.
Listen not only the words but also the silence to filter the information and find the root causes in
this way that you ca be assume him/herself in the shoes of the speaker. Your wise listening may
create an unconditional bond of relationship with your team member.



It is the second input organ of human body. All what we get from our input are the basis of all
our strategies and decisions so the function of both ear and the eye are equally important and
significant. Leader¶s eye should have the certain qualities as ground-breaking, proactive, and
have an ability to take a deep down insight of the situations which are occurring in front of it. .

 

What leaders planned by the head and heart, and received from eye and ear, hands are
responsible for making that accomplish. Tasks which a leader¶s hands should perform are,
formulating the plans and strategies in writing and physically contribute to the tasks, defend
when the followers are in trouble and pat on back on their good performances. Actions are louder
than words; use your hand to do what you say to bring the desired results

According to one author leadership is based on two basic foundationsV

p Power

p Identification of process

As in the introduction it is mentioned that; leadership is based on three componentsV

 


  

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A leader takes a start with a plan on the basis of five different powers, legitimate, referent,
reward, coercive, expert, he/she takes the whole process towards the outcomes. During this
process he/she implements the strategies based on the vision through his/her guidance and
support as well as delegation of authority and information by mentoring and controlling through
corrective actions. At the last step of the process the leader again uses his/her power for getting
desired results.