St.

Mary’s College of Marinduque

Boac, Marinduque
(042) 332-18-70

NSTP 1 MODULES

Topic: Basic Leadership Concepts

Introduction

What is leadership? It is an essential part of directing. A leader is measured by how much

influence he has in stimulating people to strive towards an objective. A leader is agood leader
because he can cause and direct people to move toward an objective. A leader is “the individual
in the group given the task of directing and coordinating relevant group activities or who, in the
absence of a designated leader, carries the primary responsibility of performing these functions
in the group.

Leadership is “the act of inducing subordinates to accomplish their assignments with zeal
and confidence” (Koontz and O’Donnell, 1981). It is the ability to persuade others to sell defined
objectives enthusiastically” (Davis, 1981). Leadership is the state where a person or a group of
persons is able to influence others to agree on a goal and work towards it.

What are the ABCDs of leadership?

To assess the full value of a leader one has to look at his abilities, behavior,
characteristics, and the dynamics of interpersonal relations. Leaders generally possess
certain abilities such as mental alertness, ability to carry on abstract ideas at a high level, ability
to supply the professional knowledge required for leadership on a certain subject or in a certain
situation, and the ability to work in harmony with superiors, colleagues, and subordinates.

Leaders display personal characteristics of fairness, courage, integrity, loyalty, patriotism,

and other laudable qualities. Leaders manifest certain behaviors in their characteristic ways of
dealing with their subordinates. They are sincere rather than affected. They keep themselves in
a good physical condition and their personal appearance at a standard, which sets a good
example for the others.

What is the role of discipline in leadership?

The man who leads pays the disciplinary cost involved. He needs to submit himself to a
stricter discipline than is expected of others. A great number of persons who themselves learned
the act of obeying. The man who has not learned to render prompt and willing service to others
will find it difficult to win and keep control of his followers. The more the dynamic the leader is,
the more he needs to control the irritability that arises in him when he plans are delayed or
botched. He must be a patient listener and diplomatically brushes off time-wasting talk or
gossip.

Ms. Hazile A. Lusterio Module in NSTP 1 Page 1

What are the traits that make a leader?

The following have been considered by researchers as essential in the making of a leader.

1. intelligence and scholarship

2. physical traits
3. personality
4. social status and experience
5. task or work orientation

Result of a study (Ghiselle, 1971) revealed the following very important leadership traits as
closely related to effectiveness.

1. decisiveness
2. intellectual capacity
3. job achievement orientation
4. feeling of self-actuation
5. self-confidence
6. management ability to build a team
7. good communication

The following leadership traits were found to be moderately important to effectiveness as a

leader.

1. affinity for the working class

2. drive and initiative
3. need for a lot of money
4. need for a job security
5. personal maturity

Moreover, the study revealed the following leadership traits as of almost no importance in the
effectiveness of a leader.

1. Masculinity
2. Femininity

What does effective communication do to effective leadership?

One of the benefits of effective communication is effective leadership. With the power of
speech comes the power of persuasion or the ability to influence others to accept an idea, a
point of view, or a proposal. Along with this ability is charisma that enables a person to earn the
respect, admiration, and loyalty of another person or other persons. An effective leader exudes
sincerity, credibility and confidence.

What are the functions of leadership?

1. Providing Vision – as a leader, you are expected to have a vision for your team or
organization. Where do you see yourselves after certain period of time? What would you have
achieved? To what directions are you leading your group?

2. Achieving goals – to make you vision reality, you and your team members must set goals or
objectives. It is your task to see to it that your group achieves the goals. Your team members
will work better if you can motivate and inspire them, thereby instilling in them a commitment to
your goals and to your tasks.

3. Initiating Camaraderie and Smooth Relationship – Individual differences account for minor
disagreements or conflicts once in a while. It is your task to resolve these conflicts and to
promote a congenial climate. All these functions demand communications skills.

Ms. Hazile A. Lusterio Module in NSTP 1 Page 2

 Activity Sheet
NSTP 1

Name: _______________________________________________ Date: __________________

Course&Year: ________________________________________ Teacher: ________________

Part I
Directions: Answer briefly the following questions.

1. Describe the importance of understanding leadership traits, behavior and attitudes.

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Explain: “Leaders of the future must be able to envision the future and convince others that
their vision is worth following.”
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you mean by “Leadership by Example”?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. What are the qualities of a good leader?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. If you are given a chance to become a leader of this country, how will you help your
fellowmen eradicate corruption and alleviate poverty?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Ms. Hazile A. Lusterio Module in NSTP 1 Page 3