Introduction
Leadership is the oldest human quality, requiring skills and intent. It has long been divided into traditional and modern approaches. Traditional approaches focus on support and obedience, while modern viewpoints focus on attraction, inspiration, and collaboration. That is why I want to analyze the main characteristics common to leaders in organizations with both traditional and modern approaches to leadership. In analyzing this topic, several core characteristics of leaders were identified that are common to both traditional and modern methods of leadership.
Core Characteristics
First, leaders must have a high degree of emotional intelligence and be able to understand the feelings of their employees. Second, they must have good communication skills and be able to collaborate effectively with others. Third, they must have a high level of management skills, including planning, organization, motivation, and control. Fourth, they must have heightened attention to detail and the ability to identify problems and solutions (Crowley, 2022). Finally, they must be a model of consistency and integrity and adhere to their principles and rules.
Traditional Leadership Approach
While traditional approaches to leadership are more focused on support and obedience, modern approaches are more focused on attraction, inspiration, and collaboration. Both types of leadership must have the aforementioned core characteristics in order to be successful and achieve their goals. Traditional approaches to leadership are oriented towards an authoritarian style of management. They are based on the division of people into leaders and subordinates, with the main emphasis on results. Leaders value rules and formality and strive to control their subordinates’ actions.
Traditional leadership approaches rely heavily on the leader’s ability to provide direction and guidance. This approach is hierarchical, with the leader providing guidance and support to the team. This type of leader is often seen as authoritarian, with a great emphasis on setting goals and enforcing policies. They are focused on achieving results and frequently have a top-down approach to decision-making (Hunt & Fedynich, 2019). This approach is most commonly used in the military.
Modern Leadership Approach
Modern approaches to leadership are based on the principles of collaboration and motivation. They view the leader and subordinates as one team in which everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Leaders in this approach strive to attract and develop people, not just dictate rules to them. They encourage their subordinates’ participation in decision-making and innovation.
Summary
Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. The traditional approach can be effective when certain constraints or circumstances are present. However, it does not allow people to express their creativity and initiative (Haslam et al., 2020). Modern approaches can be more effective when the right strategy is applied, but it cannot be easy to maintain order and control.
Conclusion
Overall, leadership is a quality that takes time and skill to develop and become effective. The core characteristics of a leader are the same for both traditional and modern approaches to leadership in organizations. They include a high degree of emotional intelligence, good communication skills, a high level of management skills, heightened attention to detail, a model of consistency and integrity, and adherence to their principles and rules. Depending on the context and situation, a leader may adhere to different approaches to leadership but must always be prepared for change.
References
Crowley, M. C. (2022). Lead from the heart: Transformational leadership for the 21st century. Hay House, Inc.
Haslam, S. A., Reicher, S. D., & Platow, M. J. (2020). The new psychology of leadership: Identity, influence, and power. Routledge.
Hunt, T., & Fedynich, L. (2019). Leadership: Past, present, and future: An evolution of an idea. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 8(2), 22-26.