Leadership

   Leadership can be defined as the process of social influence that maximizes the efforts of other individuals towards the accomplishment of certain goals.  There are various elements that define leadership, such as having goals; there are many styles and paths to effective leadership, it requires others, and leadership emerges from social influence.  Many great leaders have emerged in the world through certain leadership styles in offering direction, executing plans, and motivating individuals or groups of people. Some of these leadership styles comprise transformational, transactional, participative, and authoritarian leadership. 

Authoritarian leadership usually lets a leader impose various expectations and define outcomes. This type of leadership is normally effective in time-constrained periods, although creativity is sacrificed because the input of the team members is limited (Zhang, & Xie, 147-166).  This leadership style has some advantages, such as creating consistent results, reducing mistakes in the implementation of plans, chain of command can be clearly emphasized, and time spent on making critical decisions can be reduced. However, authoritarian leadership has some drawbacks like increasing employee turnover, reduction of group input, reduction of group collaboration and synergy, lack of creativity and innovation by the employees, and it can also lead to rebellion by some employees. Participative leadership is considered to emerge from a democratic theory, and its main aim is to involve members of a team in the process of making decisions.  When members of a team are involved in the decision-making process, they feel included, engaged and are always motivated to contribute. In this style of leadership, the leader has the last word in the decision-making process. This leadership presents several advantages, including a high level of productivity, the creation of a strong team, and increased motivation and job satisfaction of employees. (Budur, 119-129). Such a leader also serves as a role model for the vision. Some of the advantages of transformational leadership include placing a high value on relationships; it is not a coercive approach to leadership, it uses motivation and inspiration to gain the support of the members, high morale of the team, and it places a high value on corporate vision.

 One of the leaders who have embraced this style of transformational leadership is coach Ginnity. Through his leadership skills, he has impacted many lives and teams in men's basketball despite his parents divorcing while growing up. Fortunately, his father always guided him and helped him by providing all the basic needs he required, including ensuring that Ginnity went to school, where he started playing basketball and always stayed out of trouble.  This helped him to acquire various leadership and coaching skills, which has significantly helped him in managing all the teams he leads effectively. Some of the leadership qualities and skills that have made coach Ginnity be a successful leader in the men's basketball teams include resilience, humility, empathy, accountability, integrity, and effective communication.  He has also embraced other leadership qualities and skills such as confidence, delegation, positivity, influence, and vision.  Coach Ginnity has good communication skills, which has enabled him to relate well with team members and even develop long-lasting relationships.  He is able to listen and pay attention to all the team members and other persons seeking to guide him in his leadership. As a coach, Ginnity has always been accountable for the team’s results. He holds himself accountable and the team members, which creates a sense of responsibility amongst the team.

 I.         INTRODUCTION

A.        Definition of leadership

B.        Elements that define leadership

C.        Examples of leadership styles

II.        AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP

A.        Description of authoritarian leadership

B.        Advantages and disadvantages of authoritarian leadership

III.       PARTICIPATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

A.        Description of participative leadership

B.        Advantages of participative leadership

C.        Description of transformational leadership

D.        Advantages of transformational leadership

IV.       COACH GINNITY’S TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

A.        Focuses on his leadership in men’s basketball

B.        Impact of interacting with other people in school

V.        COACH GINNITY’S LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND SKILLS

A.        Effective communication skills

B.        Accountability

C.        Resilience