Question: Discuss your leadership or managerial style as it plays out in an organizational or group setting.
Every member is given importance in my team. There are no extremes of superstars and overlooked or neglected members; people know that their voices can be heard on an equal basis. There are, of course, people who are more introverted and will take a lot more urging to speak up. Others simply want to be assigned a job, perform to the best of their abilities, and be over it. More outgoing ones are not surprisingly very open with their ideas. However, they have also learned to become more sensitive about other people’s opinions. With the light and accessible climate that I create, they have proven to be important contributors to many of our projects.
I like managing people and help them feel more satisfied with what they do. Though there is a definite hierarchy of positions, the needs of all the employees are being taken care of. A suggestion box has become an important and welcomed addition to our office. Some suggestions can be amusing, but most are very helpful in the improvement of how the office is being run. It is great to know that many team members are concerned about how the whole system works. With this kind of environment, team members can and do get inspired.
There are still moments of disputes, like any other office or organizational environment. These are healthy ingredients as long as they do not get personal. Disputes can get out of hand, and it is best to cut them from their roots. All sides are given a chance to express themselves and are also required to listen to others. I make sure that I listen well into this exchange for me to be able to decide what to do later on. However, there are challenging cases that are more difficult to judge. I make sure that arguments stay on the intellectual level and that I remain a fair and level-headed mediator.
Though I have presented my members with a mild-mannered persona, I can be strict when it comes to making sure the rules are followed. The atmosphere may be friendly, but this does not mean that rules must be easily broken or ignored. Those who have broken the rules are, of course, listened to; there may be special reasons for what they have done. If their reasons do not sufficiently justify their actions, the appropriate actions will still apply.
All in all, my style of leadership is all about being personable within the organization itself. In this way, we can present genuine warmth to our clients or alliances. Members of the team are able to work together efficiently, with the desire to smooth down any budding tension as soon as possible.
