Leadership skills as construed by nonprofit chief executives

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 712-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin P. Kearns ◽  
Jonathan Livingston ◽  
Shelley Scherer ◽  
Lydia McShane
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Chief Executives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Beliefs And Values ◽  
Grid Technique ◽  
Conceptual Skills ◽  
The Many

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how chief executives of 20 nonprofit organizations construe and prioritize the skills they use to perform typical leadership tasks. Design/methodology/approach – The in-depth interview protocol used in the study is based on the Repertory Grid Technique, which elicits assumptions, beliefs, and values of respondents without imposing the researchers’ implicit frame of reference. Findings – The interviews generated 285 skill constructs. Respondents in this study report that they utilize a mix of technical, interpersonal, and conceptual skills. Interpersonal skills, especially communication and trust building, appear to be particularly prevalent among the many skills used by executives to perform their leadership tasks. Research limitations/implications – Because this is an exploratory study, its findings cannot yet be generalized to other contexts. Therefore, the paper concludes with some propositions for further research. Practical implications – The study may have implications for the design of curricula to prepare people to assume leadership positions in nonprofit organizations. Originality/value – This study uses a distinctive methodology to elicit from nonprofit leaders their assumptions and beliefs about the skills they use to perform leadership tasks. In this respect, the findings are grounded in the frames of reference of the subjects, not those of the researchers.

Are women better leaders than men?

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon De Mascia
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women In Management ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Management Thinking

Purpose – Examines some of the reasons women remain under-represented at the top of organizations, despite developments in management thinking that appear to reward areas where women traditionally excel. Design/methodology/approach – Looks at some of the research into leadership skills and draws conclusions regarding the paucity of women in management. Findings – Considers some of the obstacles to women becoming managers to be: the attitudes of male managers, the lack of suitable role models for women, women’s reticence to network, and lack of confidence. Practical implications – Urges organizations to work harder to reduce the significance of these obstacles. Social implications – Shows how organizations – and through them society as a whole – would benefit from having more women in top jobs. Originality/value – Argues that having more women in leadership positions – that is, more positive role models – would help to give women more confidence in their ability to be great leaders and would encourage more women to push themselves forward for leadership opportunities.

What’s new in leadership?

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-18
Author(s):  
Joan Marques
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceptions Of Leadership ◽  
Informal Settings ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to underscore the changing perceptions of leadership as a whole, and more specifically, what is appreciated in contemporary leadership practices. Design/methodology/approach This is a reflective paper based on observations on leadership skills and how these are perceived and valued today. Findings Leadership today demands qualities that are not merely to be reflected on others or situations, but that have to, first and foremost, make sense to the leader internally. Qualities and skills discussed are authenticity, wakefulness, agility, kindness, equilibrium, neuroticism, and eagerness. Practical implications This paper aims to provide food for thought to those who consider themselves leaders or aspire to become leaders, whether in formal or informal settings. Social implications The paper strives to instill deeper awareness in those who perform in leadership positions, toward treating themselves and others toward greater fulfillment and accomplishment. Originality/value The leadership qualities discussed in this paper demonstrate that leadership is not necessarily a practice in which followers and a situation have to be included. Each quality requires deep reflection and, first and foremost, pertains to self-leadership as a precursor to leadership onto others.

Stereotyping and women's roles in leadership positions

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 332-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cortney Baker
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Leadership Traits ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Leadership Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
And Gender

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a literature review of current trends with regard to women in leadership positions. Women are increasingly reported as having excellent leadership skills. In fact, women, more than men, are praised for having traits and styles that are associated with effective leadership performance. Design/methodology/approach – The design of this paper was a literature review of current research on gender differences in men and women in top leadership roles. Findings – Despite the evidence that women are capable of being top performers, women are still not attaining top-level leadership positions in comparison to their male peers. This paper will consider some of the reasons that women have difficulty in climbing the corporate ladder as well as discuss stereotyping and gender as it relates to leadership traits. Social implications – As a result of this paper, employers are encouraged to hire and promote women into their corporations top leadership positions. Originality/value – This paper further contributes to the discussion of women in leadership and the disparity that continues in having women employed in the upper echelons of corporations. The value of this paper is to provide employers further evidence that women comprise skillsets that necessary for company advancement.

Visionary leadership and its relationship to organizational effectiveness

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 566-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colette M. Taylor ◽  
Casey J. Cornelius ◽  
Kate Colvin
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Organizational Effectiveness ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Leadership Behavior ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Visionary Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between visionary leadership and the perception of organizational effectiveness in nonprofit organizations. Leaders with high levels of transformational leadership were predicted to be reported as having more effective organizations. Design/methodology/approach – Data from 135 executive organizational leaders and 221 of their subordinates were collected from 52 various nonprofit organizations across USA. Leaders completed measures of leadership behavior and perceived organizational effectiveness, while followers provided ratings of their perspective leaders’ leadership style, organizational effectiveness, and organizational change magnitude. Findings – Significant relationships were found between visionary leadership and perceived organizational effectiveness. Regression analysis also showed some significant correlations between high leadership behaviors and perceived organizational effectiveness. Visionary leaders with high leadership skills facilitated the greatest perceived organizational effectiveness in their respective organizations. Practical implications – Leaders wishing to improve their organization's effectiveness may wish to adopt a visionary leadership style. Visionary leaders develop practices through executive training and development that would hone their skills to significantly impact organizational effectiveness. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the existing literature focussed on the relationship between leadership styles and organizational effectiveness. Different aspects of these variables were tested in order to provide a wider and more comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting nonprofit organizations and their employees.

The kaleidoscope called leadership

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Leadership Traits ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leadership Potential ◽  
Complex Concept ◽  
Unique Manner ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Leadership is a complex concept that is discussed often in many books, blogs and articles, which try to identify those necessary traits to make one a leader. But leadership is ambiguous in that the characteristics that makes one a leader in one situation may not work and may even be detrimental in a similar one. Defining it is difficult, knowing it when you see it is easy. The purpose of this paper is to intend to make you aware of its complexity and your ability to become a leader yourself. Design/methodology/approach – By briefly comparing two successful but dissimilar leaders, the scope and breadth of leadership is introduced. Rather than attempting to define leadership, the paper proceeds to talk about what leadership is not, and why. It ends with an affirmation of our ability to become a leader and a “nudge” to develop those leadership skills we already possess. Findings – The paper suggests leadership is autological, something which defines itself, and that it is seen as different by every individual. It also proposes that we all have leadership traits within us and that whether we are consciously aware of it or not, we act as leaders every day. Practical implications – The thoughts this paper evokes can help those who are in leadership positions, those striving to become better leaders, and those who are not aware of their leadership potential by broadening their perspectives of leadership and our ability to attain it. Originality/value – This paper presents leadership in a unique manner, identifying its complexities while providing assurances it can be attained.

Preparing health professions students to lead change

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Rotenstein ◽  
Katherine Perez ◽  
Diana Wohler ◽  
Samantha Sanders ◽  
Dana Im ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Leadership Training ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Interdisciplinary Teams ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leadership Curriculum

Purpose Health care systems increasingly demand health professionals who can lead interdisciplinary teams. While physicians recognize the importance of leadership skills, few receive formal instruction in this area. This paper aims to describe how the Student Leadership Committee (SLC) at the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care responded to this need by creating a leadership curriculum for health professions students. Design/methodology/approach The SLC designed an applied longitudinal leadership curriculum and taught it to medical, dentistry, nursing, public health and business students during monthly meetings over two academic years. The perceptions of the curriculum were assessed via a retrospective survey and an assessment of team functioning. Findings Most teams met their project goals and students felt that their teams were effective. The participants reported increased confidence that they could create change in healthcare and an enhanced desire to hold leadership positions. The sessions that focused on operational skills were especially valued by the students. Practical implications This case study presents an effective approach to delivering leadership training to health professions students, which can be replicated by other institutions. Social implications Applied leadership training empowers health professions students to improve the health-care system and prepares them to be more effective leaders of the future health-care teams. The potential benefits of improved health-care leadership are numerous, including better patient care and improved job satisfaction among health-care workers. Originality/value Leadership skills are often taught as abstract didactics. In contrast, the approach described here is applied to ongoing projects in an interdisciplinary setting, thereby preparing students for real-world leadership positions.

scholarly journals Ageism on Campus: Opportunities to Include Age in Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 7-7
Author(s):  
Cassandra Barragan ◽  
Stephanie Wladkowski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Students ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Older Learners ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Midwestern University ◽  
Barriers And Opportunities ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University

Abstract Diversity and inclusion are essential perspectives on university campuses. In recent years, there has been a nationwide decline in admissions resulting in changes to traditionally FTIAC driven college campuses. An environmental scan was completed at a mid-sized midwestern university to explore age-inclusive barriers and opportunities for change. In-depth interviews were held with 28 EMU stakeholders representing a wide variety of ages in leadership positions across campus. Students aged 40 and above (N=248) were also surveyed about their experiences on campus. Qualitative analysis revealed ageist attitudes about older adults and older students from at all levels of the university. Results demonstrate that initial responses to ‘age-friendly’ focused on stereotypes of older adults, but attitudes adjusted when reframed as older learners and further refined when older learners were defined as 40 and above. Additionally, there was a distinct disconnect between ageist perceptions towards older adults and older students which highlights the importance of intergenerational opportunities as an approach to combat ageist attitudes on campus. While these barriers require long-term and complicated solutions, participants described the many benefits that older learners bring to enrich the campus. Results of this research revealed opportunities to reframe aging in the context of diversity and inclusion efforts on campus. Adopting diversity efforts to include age can benefit universities in not only admissions, classroom experiences, and connections to surrounding communities.

scholarly journals Teaching innovations in Asian higher education: perspectives of educators

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
The Many

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the teaching innovations that have been implemented in higher education institutions in Asia and the perspectives of educators on them. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 educators who were affiliated with 23 higher education institutions in ten Asian countries/regions. The interviews covered information about the teaching innovations of the participants’ institutions, the characteristics of the innovative practices and the participants’ views on them. The relationships between the characteristics of institutions and their teaching innovations were also examined. Findings The results showed that the teaching innovations included two main categories, namely, those which involved the use of advanced technologies and those which did not. The innovations that involved the use of advanced technologies were mainly from larger institutions, while the other category was mainly from smaller ones and had been practised for less than 1.5 years. Differences were also identified between the two categories in terms of the aims and importance of innovations, innovative features, the evaluation of innovations and improvements needed for them. Originality/value The results highlighted that technology is only one of the many aspects of teaching innovations, which is different from the view prevailing in the literature. They also suggested that differences in the scale of institutions (in terms of number of students) possibly influences the kind of teaching innovations adopted.

Risk perception and awareness of earthquake: the case of Dhaka

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Lutfur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Earthquake Preparedness ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Seismic Risk Perception ◽  
The Many ◽  
And Behavior

Purpose Among the many studies about risk perception, only a few deal with Bangladesh. Paul and Bhuiyan’s (2010) study has shown the earthquake-preparedness level of residents of Dhaka, but there are some biases in the data collection. This paper aims to examine the seismic-risk perception and the level of knowledge on earthquake and preparedness among the residents of Dhaka. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed, and data collection was undertaken through home and sidewalk surveys. This paper investigates how attitude, perception and behavior differ depending on gender, age, education and casualty awareness. This research tries to examine and make a comparison of the risk perception and preparedness level between different groups of gender, age and level of education. Findings This research shows that female respondents have a much better risk perception of and are better prepared for earthquakes than male respondents; younger people have a higher knowledge about earthquake preparedness than older people and less-educated people are at a higher risk of unpreparedness than more-educated people. Research limitations/implications This research is only limited to the Dhaka Division. Originality/value This paper concludes by noting that public awareness on seismic-risk perception and mitigation is poor, and their knowledge on basic theory and emergency response must be improved.

Collaboration strategies for a transition economy: measuring culture in Albania

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narasimha Rao Vajjhala ◽  
Kenneth David Strang
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Transition Economy ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Foreign Government ◽  
Norms And Values ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Private Corporations

Purpose – The researchers in this study reviewed the literature to locate the most relevant multicultural theories, factors, and instruments in order to measure Albania's national culture. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – An innovative combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used to fit the multicultural construct to the sample data and then estimate the national culture (n=73). The multicultural indexes were calculated for five generally accepted national culture factors to compare with the benchmarks published in the literature. Findings – The multicultural indexes were calculated for five generally accepted national culture factors to compare with the benchmarks published in the literature. An asymmetric plot was created for critical comparison of Albania with five other theoretically selected countries, using the indexes for PDi, ICi, MFi, UAi, and LTi. Albania was found to be most similar to its Balkan and Turkish neighbors, as compared with Asian or Western cultures such as that of the USA. Research limitations/implications – The researchers discussed the implications of knowing Albania's national culture profile with reference to how other countries might collaborate and transact with this emerging transition economy. Practical implications – From a business standpoint, the multicultural indexes for Albania provide general indicators of the national beliefs, norms and values, which foreign organizations may compare to their own cultural profile when interacting with professionals in this country. The best use for such indexes is for benchmarking and comparison. Foreign government, private corporations, or nonprofit organizations may compare their own culture profile with that of Albania to be aware of the similarities and differences. Originality/value – Albanian national culture was estimated for the first time in the literature, using a five-factor model adapted from the work of Hofstede.

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