by Ronald Claiborne

Created on: September 21, 2009   Last Updated: September 30, 2009

Developing effective leadership techniques begins with understanding that effective leadership is the ability of leaders to foster goal achievement which includes meeting financial goals, producing quality products or services, addressing the needs of customers and other stakeholders; developing smooth internal processes, including group cohesion, follower satisfaction, and efficient operations; and developing external adaptability by building an organizational culture conducive to change and evolution successfully (Navahandi, 2006). Therefore, developing effective leadership techniques involve leadership training in the areas of emotional intelligence, strategic leadership, and leadership style.

Research of business management literature revealed that emotional intelligence, the ability to monitor one's own and others emotions and act upon them to make intelligent management decisions, have a significant impact upon effective leadership (Samad, 2009). Emotional intelligence can be developed through reflection on and recognizing one's own and other's emotions, accepting responsibility for one's own emotions, reframing negative situations to challenges from a positive mind-set, learning one's own triggers for both positive and negative emotions, and asking what I can change? whenever confronted with an emotionally-laden situation (Callahan, 2008). Callahan (2008) further suggest to effectively implement these strategies one must understand environmental triggers: The four C's of emotion (Callahan, 2008) which are context, challenges, communication and community. Understanding these triggers allows the individual to recognize the areas in which emotion is likely to be triggered and thereby equip the individual with the ability to identify the source of the emotions and allows for better choices about how to address the situation (Callahan, 2008).

Strategic leadership training is the second area that is necessary in developing effective leadership techniques. The 21st century organization faces many challenges and therefore, requires leaders to develop new mind-sets and heart-sets to be effective in leading organizations (Karakas, 2007). Karakas (2007) suggest that the leaders need to become social artists, spiritual visionaries and cultural innovators to be effective in the 21st century. Leaders must develop the ability to take an inward journey of self-discovery and self development, establish clarity around a set of core values that guide the organization as

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