Leadership is defined as the process of influencing the activities of organized groups toward goal setting and goal achievement. Leadership is about the quality of the leader's relationship with others. Therefore, being an effective leader involves the ability to influence and to relate to others. Effective leadership is the key to the success of any organization, and it is consistently recognized as a vital factor in the growth of that organization. There are several characteristics of an effective leader which have been identified and known to provide results in any organization.

Firstly, an effective leader should be competent in management functions such as planning, organizing, decision making and evaluating. In other words, the leader must be able to manage the organization, and must be skilled at manipulating strategies and situations to ensure optimum effectiveness and efficiency in the organization. Proper management is necessary in an organization if it is expected to function day by day and to maintain support from external constituents.

Also, an effective leader should establish good interpersonal relationships with and among staff. The leader needs to establish a comfortable rapport, not only with staff, but with all stakeholders associated with the organization. Thus, the effective leader has to harness the organization's social and interpersonal potential to maximize its capability. The effective leader should create a positive climate in the organization and should ensure that the environment is conducive to meeting organizational goals and objectives. The leader should set high expectations for the organization and stimulate high performance.

In addition, the effective leader should establish clear policies for the organization and articulate its mission, goals and objectives. The leader must have a vision for the organization and should systematically strive to bring that vision to life. This must be a shared vision with administration and staff. The environment should be one where there is unity of purpose.

Finally, the effective leader should be a team builder and should have the ability to build a committed and cohesive work group. It is essential that the effective leader install necessary coordinating mechanisms, so that individuals and groups maintain their sense of place with the organization and direct their efforts towards the achievement of the whole organization objectives. The effective leader should also encourage participative decision making in the organization. The leader should strive for the development of a sense of joint enterprise in all staff. Collaboration and cohesiveness should all be encouraged by the effective leader.

It can be said then, that there is a definite relationship between a successful organization and an effective leader. All the characteristics identified can greatly influence the management of an organization. The individual who possesses these characteristics will provide the type of leadership that every organization hopes for.

References

1. Hoy, Wayne K., & Miskel Cecil (1982), Educational Administration: Theory, Research and Practice, 2nd ed. Random House, New York.

2. Sergiovanni, Thomas J. (1885), The Principalship: a reflective practice perspective , 3rd ed. Simon & Schuster Company, USA.

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