The author inthis article is conveying that we must hang on with the fact that leadershipcan be both good and bad. Americans, for historical and political reasons, possiblyassume that leaders are by description greater. They deny labeling as leaderswho may be considered discarded people such as Nixon and Hitler. It explains the reasons and how theexercise of power, authority and influence can cause harm. Kellerman emphasizes is not only on defining leadership as anart but also in stressing that the leadership industry recently focuses onteaching leadership as inclined towards teachings that only define leadership andleaders as “good” and completely ignore the assessment of “bad” leaders and badleadership.

The article discovers the case for also emphasizing on badleadership in the overall definition of leadership.Kellermanhas mentioned in the case that Americans have been favorable in their politicalleadership. Kellerman ensures to differentiate leadership from the leader, explainingthat leadership can be best understood by highlighting the three variables: theleader, the followers, and the context of the times. Kellerman points out thatbad leadership can be either ineffective or unethical or both. In addition sevendifferent types of bad leadership: incompetent, rigid, intemperate, callous,corrupt, insular, and evil are also explained in the case.Her belief issimple, bad leadership is still leadership and bad leaders are stillleaders.  She communicates this to thereaders, by exploring the recent scholarly and industry emphasis on definingbad leaders with a term as “power wielders” and bad leadership as being overlookedand vague by current trends.

We Will Write a Custom Essay Specifically
For You For Only $13.90/page!


order now

The case argues that people want to read and know aboutgood leaders like John Adams and Jack Welch but makes no notice to the leaders,David Koresh and Warren Harding’s.  This acceptedtendency is similar to “avoiding theelephant in the room” and people refuse to compare the respected leaderslike Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Adolph Hitler. The author’s first and mostcritical point is that leadership should not be defined in a confined way as ismostly done, in today’s leadership industry. Kellerman argues again and againfor how leadership is defined as, that admits that bad leaders are leaders tooand that in order to actually learn and teach leadership, we must determineourselves to this extended definition of leaders and leadership and come to aconclusion that leadership can be good and bad. Kellerman’s alsostresses on the argument that leaders behave the way they do because they own positivetraits and, people follow bad leaders because they require someone to lead. Kellermanargues that the human need for authority, to “keep things simple.”Q2. What are the similarities and differences between goodand bad leadership.

Take an example (from India) of a good and a bad leader toexplain your answer. Good and bad leaderscan be differentiated; ·        Bad leaders will only tell “what” to dowhereas Good leaders share the “why” behind the “what”. ·        Bad leaders play the blame game while Good leaders takeresponsibility·        Bad leaders just don’t carehowever, Good leaders care·        Bad leaders give you thesolutions; Good leaders help you find your own solutions·        Bad leaders don’t want to knowwhat you think; Good leaders are always asking youropinion Dr.

APJAbdul Kalam India’s 11th president whose leadership style if imbibed can createthe World’s most wonderful organization. He believed everythingis Possible. When we say Leaders Ignite theminds of others; like aspecial satellite that orbits the Universe, he went about his mission, ignitingmillions of young minds and many nations.

Dr. Kalam boasted nothing but learntas much as he can till his last breath. He kept nothing to himself but sharedwith transparency and sincerity to each and every one, everything he learnt. Leaders humble themselves;such was his leadership style that Dr.

Abdul Kalam’s succession to powerand position was just occasions to further humble him as much possible as hecan, so that the people who met him can feel stronger and taller in their heartand life.  Leaders inspire others and make them dream rather than makingthem believe in their own dreams. Dr. Kalaminspired millions of young hearts to dream; and, made them to believe in theirdreams. He wanted people to dream, to transform their dreams into thoughts thatcan result into actions. He is truly avisionary.

Leaders look for solutions to problemswith Innovative mindset. Probably the only Missile scientist inthis Universe who could use the materials made to fly missiles now makes littlekids around the World walk with confidence. Dr.

Abdul Kalam is an institution. Dr. ManmohanSingh is an excellent Economist, but a bad leader in Indian context. He is theaccidental prime minister in the Indian history. He was bestowed with positionand power of a leader but was unable to perform his assigned task successfully.He was an underachiever. People were seeking more reforms which will propel theIndian economy on the right track but unfortunately he was unable to meet his followers’expectations.

His lack of decision taking skills made his image diminished inthe worldwide. Lack of decision taking character is a very huge accusation thathas always been made on him. He was always criticized for the inability to takehis own decisions. He had never taken decision from his point of view as aleader of nation who works for the development of nation, rather then he takesall decisions under the pressure of his party members. Silence is more powerfulthen thousands voice. But the phrase seems to be odd for Manmohan Singh. Healways tried to remain away from the main issues and not spoken that much,public was expecting from their Prime Minister.

This is not how good leadersbehave.   Prime Minister of India is strongest and most powerful position in theIndian democracy. Manmohan Singh is considered as very less impact PM. DullAttitude is another very negative point about his personality. This attitudecreates a different image of him, an image which shows me helpless and DullPrime Minister. A good Leader is supposed to be the one who have skills tomotivate their public during bad times. When citizens are looking for somethingfrom their leader his speeches lacks a positive attitude and confidence and stillpeople followed him.

Be it for the power of the position or his calm attitude andhis previous achievements as the finance minister.   Q3. How do we need to understand leadership? Why is this understandingrequired? Leadership should beunderstood considering both good and bad leadership. It would be irrelevant ifwe focused on only good leadership or leaders and overlook bad leadership andleaders. In the case Kellerman has made it very clear that leadership is not onlygood but bad as well. Bad leaders are also leaders and hence they should alsobe well thought-out while understanding leadership as a term.

Leadership issomehow not related to coercion. It is explained in the case that leaders whouse coercion are usually considered as bad.  Leadership on humanscan be exercised when persons with certain motives and purposes mobilizeresources as to arouse, engage and satisfy the motives of followers. If wepretend that there is no elephant and bad leadership is unrelated to goodleadership, if we pretend to know one without knowing another we will in theend distort the enterprise. We cannot distance ourselves with the most relevantexample of the history, Hitler by calling him with another name “power wielder.”Not only his impact on 20th century greater than anyone else butalso he was brilliantly skilled at inspiring, motivating and directing hisfollowers. Limiting leadership to be good presents three major problems arementioned in the case; it is confusing, misleading and it does a disservice.  Leadershipis an important term to understand, not only for the person to become a leaderbut also if one wants to be a follower.

A follower should be well aware of theleader he is following. Or maybethe person you’re leading is yourself. The value of being aware of you and youremotions and motivations is probably obvious. It’s the alternative to beingreactive and blowing in the breeze.  Howevervaluable those skills, they are difficult to teach to someone without them —those who would benefit from them most.

Developing and practicing leadership areone of the best ways to increase your awareness of your emotions andmotivations and how you act on them. Understanding leadership is vital because organizations take on the personality oftheir leaders. Leadership training and development can maximize productivity,shape a positive culture and promote harmony. To achieve this, key people mustlead individuals and teams using an appropriate leadership style.

x

Hi!
I'm Erica!

Would you like to get a custom essay? How about receiving a customized one?

Check it out