TOPICS

1. INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR LAWYERS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

You should be familiar with the following areas

Meaning of Leadership
Forms of Leadership
Meaning of Leader
Qualities of a good leader
Common Activities for Leaders
Importance of Leadership for lawyers
Concept of Management
Meaning of Manager
Attributes of Manager
Activities of Managers
Difference between the Leader and Manager

1.1 Meaning of Leadership

Is the art of influencing others to their maximum performance to accomplish any task objective.

Is a function of knowing yourself, having a vision that is well communicated, building trust among colleagues and taking effective action to realize your own leadership potential. Leadership is fundamentally about a relationship between people sometimes denominated as leaders and their constituencies or followers that has a its purpose positive change or movement. The relationship is one established and built on trust, veracity and credibility.

1.2 Forms/Theories of Leadership

1.2.1 Authoritarian/Autocratic Leadership

Is used when leaders tell their employees what they want to be done and how they want it without getting the advice of their followers. The leader’s makes all decisions. Employee’s follows or deviation. Autocratic leader has absolute control over the group, unlike most other types of leadership styles.

1.2.2 The Democratic Leadership Styles

It involves the mere employees in the decision making process (saying what to do and how to do it): However, the leader maintains the final decision making authority. Is form of leadership where decision making is shared with members of a group unlike most other types of leadership styles. Participate or shared leadership are other common names for this leadership style.

1.2.3 Delegative/ Free Reign/Lais Sezfaire

Is appreciated by the degree of freedom it provides. The leader does not take charge is a hands off style of leadership. Members of the team are free to make most job-related decisions. The expectation is for the team to solve problems with minimal input from the leader. Leaders will step in during crises/major decisions but for the most part are hands-off. The leader allows the employees to make the decisions. However the leader is still responsible for the decisions.

1.2.4 Transformational Leadership Style

Is a style in which the leader inspires and motivates employees to produce a chance in the organization. This change is created though creativity. The leader foresters creativity by allowing employees the freedom to be creative and ultimately grow the company. The relevant of these theories with regard to ethical leadership by lawyers servant, transformational and adaptive provide guidance in understanding the responsibilities that lawyers owe to their clients and to professional and community institutions. They also provide a useful framework for understanding the essential competencies that lawyers need to posses and demonstrate in order to serve their clients’ needs or their communities in public service.

1.2.5 Transactional Leadership Style

Is a style of leadership in which punishments and incentives are used to motivate employees. When employees achieve certain results, rewards are given. When results are not achieved, punishments are administered. This style focuses on three basic concepts organizing, controlling and short term planning.

1.2.6 Bureaucratic Leadership Style

Is one of the oldest styles of leadership. It is a rules-based style. It has very little flexibility and it has a very strict command structure. The leader’s power comes from their position and even leaders within this style are bound by rules and regulations. The command structure is comprised of a formal hierarchy and is apparent to all involved. Very specific roles are assigned to leaders and subordinates based on their skill sets.

1.4 MEANING OF A LEADER

Is a person who directs and controls a party, team, organization, country, group or community. The leading counsel is above senior and junior counsel.

1.5 QUALITIES OF GOOD LEADER

1.5.1 Curiosity

Are learners; they wonder about every aspect of their charge. They find out what they need to know in order to pursue their goals.

1.5.2 Risk

They take calculated risks when necessary to achieve their objectives. They learn from the mistake and use it as an opportunity to explore other avenues.

1.5.3 Dedication

They work assiduously on behalf of followers, They give themselves entirely to the task when necessary.

1.5.4 Guiding Vision

Know what they want to do, and have the strength of character to pursue their objectives in the face of opposition and inspite of failures they establishes achievable goals.

1.5.5 Passion

Believes passionately in their goals have a positive outlook on who they are and they love what they do. Their passion for life is a guiding star other to follow.

1.5.6 Integrity

They are aware of their weakness, they only make promises they can follow though.

1.5.7 Honestly

Conveys an aura of honestly in professional and personal lives.

1.5.8 Trust

Earns the trust of their followers and act on behalf of their followers.

1.6 Common Activities for Leaders

1.6.1 Planning

-Devises Strategy

-Sets direction

-creates vision

1.6.2 Organizing

-Gets people on board for strategy

-Communication

-Network

1.6.3 Directing Work

-Empowers People

-Cheer leader

1.6.4 Controlling

-Motivate

-Inspire

-Gives Sense of accomplishment

1.7 Importance of Leadership skills for Lawyers

(a) Duty to lead Clients

Lawyer is an agent and the client is a principal thus lawyer have a duty to lead their clients

(b) Providing accurate technique Advice

They provide this leadership by provide accurate technical advice, principal counseling and rigorous evaluation of the client’s situation goals and resources

When lawyers and all those who work in the legal profession begin to understand the basic theories of leadership become better leaders will provide better legal services and will create better law firms and legal organizations.

1.8 Concept of Management

Management is the ability to organize resources and coordinate the execution of tasks necessary to reach a goal in a timely and cost effective manner. Manager is the one who has the management of the whole affairs an official who is entrusted with the power to the affairs of company and have charge of the same.

1.8.1 Attributes of Manager

(a) Considering alternatives in designing activities

(b) Estimation of the organizational costs: Establishes risks to the organization

(d) Involvement in the decision making steps

(e) Managing organization changes

(f) Keep the team motivated and informed

(g) Review of the organizational responsibilities and goals with employees

(h) Preparing the basics for evaluation of each employee

1.8.2 Activities of Manager

(a) Planning

(b) Organizing

A. Planning

Budgeting
Sets targets
Establishes detailed steps
Allocates resources

B. Organizing

Creates structure
Job descriptions
Staffing
Hierarchy
Delegates
Training

C. Directing Work

Solves problems
Negotiates
Brings to consensus

D. Controlling

Implements control systems
Performance measures
Identifies variances
Fixes varieties

1.9 Difference between Managers and Leaders

Manager Leader

Administer, Innovate
Ask how and when, Ask what and when
Focus on systems, Focus on people
Do things right, Do the right things
Maintain, Develop
Rely on control, Inspire trust
Short-term perspective, Long term perspective
Accept the status-quo, Challenge status quo
An eye on the bottom line, An eye on the horizon
Imitate, Originate
Emulate the classic good soldier, and Their own person
Copy. Show originality

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42. Leadership skills for Lawyers (0)

INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

1.1 Meaning of Leadership

1.2 Forms/Theories of Leadership

1.4 MEANING OF A LEADER

1.5 QUALITIES OF GOOD LEADER