Posted by Andrew Smith on Thu, May 31, 2012
In a recent Lunch & Learn held in our head office, the LOGiQ3 Learning Committee examined the topic of Leadership. This is an interesting topic to dissect as we each have our own definitions of what leadership means.
The Lunch & Learn attempted to answer the following:
- Why do we need leaders?
- Where does leadership exist?
- What are the characteristics of a good leader?
- Are leaders born?
The discussions were interesting, informative, and amusing. The conclusions formulated truly reflected the LOGiQ3 culture and today�s socioeconomic conditions.
Here is a summary of our discussions:
Why do we need leaders?
Leadership is often the result of the impact of social, economic, and/or environmental conditions on a homogeneous group. A homogeneous group shares common beliefs, morals, purpose or culture. We need leaders to guide this group to a common goal or set of goals.
Where does leadership exist?
Leadership is present wherever groups exist in our society (households, workplace, religious and political organizations, friendships groups etc.). In addition, our specific roles within these groups can change from leader to follower and from follower to leader depending on the group.
What are the characteristics of a good leader?
Here is the list that the LOGiQ3 attendees came up with during the session:
- Visionary, knowledgeable, decisive;strong, calm under pressure, resilient;
- Motivator, builds consensus, draws on the strengths of others;
- Team builder, influential, respected, teacher;
- Focused on the big picture, result oriented;
- Authentic, honest, patient;
- enthusiastic, positive attitude;
- Open to new ideas, willing to learn, change agent;
- Communicator, accountable and holds others accountable for their actions.
The Canada Geese & Leadership
The Canada Geese migration illustrates a perfect example of leadership in nature. In order to reach their destination (south in autumn and north in the spring) they fly in a V-formation flight pattern. The leader has a dual purpose in the V-formation flight pattern:
- To guide the flock to their destination; and
- To reduce the air drag on the flock.
Each goose has the opportunity to lead. When the lead goose gets tired it falls back and another goose takes the lead position:
- Leadership is shared equally amongst group;
- The group displays collaborative leadership and workload distribution.
Canada Geese Migration Fact: Each goose is able to fly approximately 70% further as a group using the V-formation flight pattern vs. flying alone. They reach their destination in a shorter period of time while expending minimal energy.
Are Leaders born?
It is very much in the realm of possibility that leadership is divine or inherited, however leadership and leadership skills can be learnt. We are all leaders in some aspects of our lives and given the appropriate circumstances that play to our strengths we can all be leaders.
Conclusion
We live in a dynamic world and our personal and work lives are impacted by constant change. The ability to be flexible is the key, flexibility is survival.
Whether you are a leader of a group, leader of a task within a group, or follower within a group you must learn and execute the traits of a good leader, as this will improve the group�s chances of achieving its goals.
Thanks for reading!
Andrew
You can contact Andrew Smith at [email protected].
About LOGiQ3
LOGiQ3’s experienced team covers all facets of the life reinsurance business: auditing, consulting, business process outsourcing and underwriting. Risk management is at the core of all the services that LOGiQ3 delivers. The risks inherent across the functions of life reinsurance are increasing and the consequences of not managing those risks grow larger if left unchecked. In today’s environment, the organizations that succeed will be those with the ability to identify and then effectively manage those risks. www.logiq3.com
This posting is republished with permission from the LOGiQ3 blog post at http://www.logiq3.com/blog/bid/160219/leadership-in-a-successful-organization-what-role-do-we-play.
