by Dennis Aubuchon

Created on: January 23, 2012

Effective leaders are desperately needed today in private industry and in government.  Whether individuals are effective leaders is determined by the results achieved in their area of responsibility.  Leaders do not necessarily need to be supervising other individuals but providing leadership in terms of our expertise to guide others in understanding specific processes.  We as individuals tend to think of leaders in terms of management but leaders are everywhere in an organization. 

The basic definition of effective according to the online dictionary Merriam-Webster is producing a decided, decisive or desired result.  Achieving desired results is important in the business and government communities.  Individuals who provide support activities and aid in achieving the goals or objectives of an organization through leadership activities would be deemed to be an effective leader. 

The concept of an effective leader can also be a matter of opinion as to what is achieved by an individual.  Evaluations by the public as to who are effective leaders be it private industry or government may be different than those who are part of the structure of an organization or government entity.  Effectiveness of a leader also includes an evaluation by individuals who are either supervised or who are provided guidance for specific processes through such positions as a team leader.  Team leaders are not necessarily a supervisor but a leader of a group of individuals with specific assignments.

One of the recognized qualities of an effective leader involves the art of delegation.  Delegation must exist from a supervisor to those whom he/she manages.  Supervisory positions have lots of responsibility and with it come the need to delegate.  Making the right decisions to delegate a function to the right individual who will do a good job is an important aspect of a management position.   

Today our economy is stressful especially for those who have lost their jobs.  An effective leader or leaders who properly address the situation will be those with new ideas and/or approaches which require others to accept the concepts proposed.  Individuals who can effectively convince others that their ideas will work and are proven to be the case in the results are effective leaders. 

Another point about being a leader is the fact an individual cannot be a leader unless others follow their lead in specific situations.  Leaders need followers.  There are also those who lead by example and become leaders when others follow their work ethic, character and integrity principles they display.  Impacting others through the examples we exhibit are in effect effective leaders. 

The current GOP battle for the party nomination is a prime example where leadership capabilities and their effectiveness in the positions they have held will play an important part in who wins the nomination.  All the present candidates unquestionably have leadership capabilities based on what they have done and the responses they have project for the issues presented to them.  Leadership effectiveness or the lack of it will play an important part not only in who wins the nomination for the GOP but who will win the election in November.  How well the individuals facing each other in the upcoming election display the capability of being an effective leader.  This will not only be important in what they propose but the ability to make things happen for the right reasons. 

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