NCJ Number
204550
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2004 Pages: 60-63
Date Published
January 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the definition of leadership.
Abstract
Leadership is the ability to clearly understand and articulate the goal; the confidence to be out in front and show the way to the goal; and the ability to convince people to follow as an act of their free choice. It is also the desire and ability to help people develop and pursue excellence; and the capability to inspire people to achieve their full potential. There is a gap between what is known to be effective leadership behavior and the actual practice of that behavior. Effective leadership is the result of a combination of behavioral components that make up the whole of a successful package. Effective leadership behaviors are recognizable. They can be observed and measured. If an observable effective leadership style is to survive, it must be supported by a firm foundation of ethics or character. These attributes may be difficult to observe and evaluate, but they are just as important and related to behavior as a solid foundation is to a stable structure. Shifting the focus of leadership training from just the behaviors to the underlying foundation of character is powerful. The ethics or character traits are best presented from a practical or utilitarian perspective rather than through moral persuasion. A person of integrity performs actions that match his stated beliefs or values. Integrity makes someone predictable. This kind of predictability occurs when someone has a strong set of convictions and has the integrity to stick to them. Every phase of leadership involves trust. Integrity breeds trust. Trust is the link between integrity and leadership. Leadership training focusing on behavior alone will fall short of the goal of true leadership. The ethics or character traits that form a foundation for effective leadership behavior can and must be developed. Character development programs that supplement initial training with reinforcement systems experience the best results.