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What makes for an effective leader and how can you improve your leadership skills? Well, who’s the best role model for a leader? How about a chicken? In this episode of The Psych Files we examine Ginger from the movie Chicken Run to see how she embodies the best qualities of a leader. I know – sounds a little weird, but I guarantee you’ll come away with a better understanding of leadership and some of the top leadership theories.
Characteristics of Effective Leaders
- Provides followers with a compelling vision for the future
- Has Specific ideas and plans on how to reach that future
- Provides followers with challenging goals (and feedback related to those goals) to help them reach the vision (Path/Goal leadership theory)
- Emotional Stability
- Persistence in the face of setbacks (a positive attributional style)
- Willingness to take personal risks to get to obtain the vision
- Principled
- Can share power and credit with subordinates/followers
- Knows his/her people well enough to delegate tasks according to follower’s talents, skills and desires
- Tough but fair
- Works alongside his/her subordinates to reach the goal
Resources on Leadership
- Bennis, W.G. (1993). An invented life: Reflections on leadership and change. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley
- Hogan, R, Curphy, G. J. & Hogan, J. (1994). What we know about leadership: Effectiveness and personality. American Psychologist, 49(6), 493-504.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Dr. Britt,
I enjoy you Leadership podcast so much that I feel like watching the Chicken Run movie and start reading up on Bennis’s book. I am still trying to catch up on your Podcast, currently still listening to Ep90. You said you are going to discuss more on Leadership in the coming Episode. Hope to hear from you again soon!
I thank you so much for all the interesting podcast, keep up the great work!
Ting.
Singapore
Ting,
Thanks so much! Believe me if you go and watch Chicken Run you will not be disappointed. You’ll love it. It’s such a funny and good-hearted movie. Thanks again for your note.
Michael