Self-Leadership

 

One of the applications of participative management and teams is the concept of self-leadership. As we empower individual employees and provide them with training in various areas of business, we expect them to make increasingly independent decisions. Teams are designed to complement individual employees´ skills. SMTs are responsible for continuous assessment and improvement of their own product, the design of their work, and all other work processes that influence them. Leaders are elected or rotated, and individuals are pressured to to accept responsibility for their decisions and actions.

 

These changes shift the focus of attention away from subordinates. The concept suggests that instead of leaders who rely on fear (the “strong man”), focus on narrow exchange relationships (the “transactor”), or inspire commitment while discouraging thinking (the “visionary hero”), leaders and followers must focus on leading themselves. Specifically, self-leaders:

 

• Develop positive and motivating thought patters. Individuals and teams seek and develop environments that provide positive cues and a supportive and motivating environment.

• Set personal goals. Individuals and teams set their own performance goals and performance expectations.

• Observe their behavior and self-evaluate. Team members observe their own and other team members´ behaviors and provide feedback and critique and evaluate one another's performance.

• Self-reinforce. Team members provide rewards and support to one another.

 

Contrary to heroic leadership, whereby the leader is expected to provide answers to all questions and to guide, protect, and save subordinates, the concept of self-leadership suggests that leaders must get their subordinates to the point where they do not need their leader much. Some of the strategies for the development of self-leaders include the following:

• Listen more; talk less.

• Ask questions rather than provide answers.

• Share information rather than hoard it.

• Encourage independent thinking rather than compliant followership.

• Encourage creativity rather than conformity.