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                                             SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP

This report examines the wider context of leadership and its effectiveness through an analysis of various leadership theories and the many types of leadership styles.

It is generally understood that to be a good leader one must have experience, knowledge, patience, commitment, and most importantly the skill to negotiate, co-operate and inspire others towards achieving set goals. Leadership involves a type of responsibility aimed at achieving particular ends by applying the available resources (human & material) and ensuring a cohesive and coherent organization in the process (Ololube, 2013). Northouse (2007) and Rowe (2007) describes leadership as a process wherein an individual inspires a group to achieve a shared target.

Leadership Theories

Leadership theories explain how and why some people become leaders. It is a study of the various traits that make a person a leader. Charry (2012) observes that scholarly interest in leadership grew significantly by the 20th century and thereby identifies eight major leadership theories.

1. "Great man” Theory– This theory assumes that leadership is inherent and leaders are born, and not made. The leaders are often portrayed as destined to rise above others. The term ‘Great Man’ was used at a time when leadership was associated with men.</ref> 2. Trait Theory – this theory bears resemblance to Great Man theory by its assumption that some people inherit those traits that make them ideal for leadership. Traits theory identifies certain shared traits of great leaders and associates those traits with effective leadership. 3. Contingency Theory – Contingency theory is focused on the particular environment which prescribes the type of leadership that is required. This theory postulates that no single leadership style is effective in all situation. 4. Situational Theory – This theory is based on the assumption that leaders make apt decisions and take suitable actions based on the situation. Hence different types of leaderships may be appropriate for different situations. 5. Behavioral Theory – This theory is based on the notion that leaders are made not born. The focus is on the actions of leaders and not on their inherent qualities. Hence people can train themselves to become leaders. Naylor (1999) observes that behavior of leaders caught attention because of a consistent comparison between autocratic and democratic styles of leadership. 6. Participative Theory - This theory prescribes an ideal leader as one who takes into account the views and inputs of others. These leaders encourage and help their team members. 7. Transactional / Management Theories – Transactional or Management theories concentrates on role of supervision, organization and group performance. The emphasis on the exchanges between leaders and members of the team. 8. Relationship/ Transformational Theory – Relationship or Transformational theory is focused on the bond between leaders and followers. According to these theories, leadership is a process of interaction between the leader and followers. 9. Skills Theory – This theory describes how learned knowledge and acquired skills are mandatory for the practice of effective leadership. Even though inherent leadership traits are acknowledged, this theory argues that acquired knowledge and skills are important for leadership performance.

Analysis of Leadership Theories

The analysis of the various leadership theories lead to the inference that some theories are outdated whereas some are very much relevant. Theories like the “Great Man” theory and Trait theory prove ineffective by the very concept of leadership as being an inherent quality. Theories like Contingency and Behavioral approaches are traditional methods that are ineffective. Approaches like Participative, Transactional and Transformational are best suited in today’s world. These approaches also make leadership sustainable in nature due to its all-inclusive, participatory and relationship-oriented features. Proponents of Transformational leadership believe that, transformational leaders create compelling visions for future. These leaders work on long-term goals, on restructuring the systems and guiding their team towards success. They are thus people-oriented and work towards building trust and partnership with their members. Thus, transformative or regenerative leadership is the need of our time since this approach revolves around futuristic sustainability.

Leadership Styles

Leadership styles are methodologies focused on inspiring followers. There are six types of leadership styles.

1. Autocratic Leadership Style – This is an extreme form of leadership where the leaders exercise complete power over the members. Even though this method is efficient, this leadership style is criticized for the lack of involvement of the members. 2. Bureaucratic Leadership Style – This style centers on rules and is focused on ensuring that the members also follow these rules. 3. Charismatic Leadership Style – Charismatic Leadership is a leadership style that is identifiable but may be perceived with less tangibility than other leadership styles (Bell, 2013). These leaders inspire eagerness from their team mates and motivate them with high energy. 4. Democratic / Participative Leadership Style – This type of leadership encourages team activity and include the members in the decision-making process. This affirms satisfaction to the team members and make them more productive and involved. 5. Laissez-Faire Leadership Style – Laissez-Faire leadership may be best or the worst of leadership styles (Goodnight, 2011). Laissez-Faire is a French phrase for “let it be” and this describes leaders who allow people to work on their own without taking much responsibility. 6. Transactional Leadership Style – This type of leadership starts with an agreement from the part of the members to obey their leader. This leadership functions on minimalistic working relationships that are based on transactions like payment and work.

Leadership Styles Analysis

Leaders are often a mix of the above leadership styles depending on their area of operation. However, individually not every leadership style is equally effective. While styles like Democratic / Participative leadership is commonly effective and highly accepted. Styles like Autocratic are not popular. The principle of autocratic leadership is not suitable for organizational development since there is no priority given to the team members.

Sustainable Leadership

Sustainability is the capacity to endure, and the potential for lasting maintenance of well-being. It is at once environmental, economic and social in dimension. Sustainable leadership is about long-term goals that creates sustainable development, while, taking the organization, the environment and the society into its confidence. Sustainable leadership revolves around people, planet and profit.

Management Vs Leadership

While management focuses on the functioning of an organization, leadership is about the ability to influence a group to work towards common targets. Management is concerned with the end result, whereas leadership centers on people and processes that deliver these end results. Leadership focuses on team play and true leaders make great team players because they connect with people around them. Managers make the work process efficient and effective. Leaders concentrate on growth of both the organization and its stakeholders. Leadership is about developing a culture of loyalty and hard work that in turn breeds success stories. Management works through controlling a group to achieve a set goal, whereas leadership hones and motivates an individual’s innate skills and prompts him/her to contribute effectively to the organization’s success. While managers control the employees, leaders inspire them to be their best. A well-balanced organization will have a perfect mixture of both effective leadership and quality management skills.

Unilever – Corporate Sustainability Leader

The 2020 sustainability leaders, a Globescan/Sustainability survey evaluated the progress of companies and organizations in their sustainability agenda and found that Unilever a British multinational consumer good company is the most frequently named organization globally as a corporate sustainability leader. The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) is an apt example of such an initiative. The USLP targets to improve the health of One Billion people. Unilever has globally worked on various projects which include empowering women, improvement of health sector, protecting forest and supporting sustainable farming. Unilever has initiated drives to address climate change and deforestation. Unilever has responded promptly to the emergencies of the Covid-19 pandemic time. They have donated € 100 million in terms of sanitizers, soaps, bleach and food and have also provided € 500 million in cash relief to small and medium sized suppliers and customers. Unilever has also funded a handwashing programme that aims for a global outreach. In the United Kingdom, Unilever is helping to make ventilators for the NHS. Their strategies are those of sustainable leadership as they have successfully delivered value to all their stakeholders, which include their employees, investors, environment and communities.

Conclusion

This assignment has undertaken an analysis of different styles of leadership and theories pertaining to leadership. Appropriate leadership strategy is mandatory for sustainability and to increase productivity and performance. Leaders of sustainability should possess world view focused on eco-centric and systemic well-being. They should be able to exert influence without authority. From this analysis, it is deduced that democratic and participatory leadership is appropriate for a sustainable working atmosphere. Leadership styles like autocratic method is the least favorable for a sustainable organization.

Recommendation

Sustainability is the call for a protected future and organizations should be committed to sustainable solutions. This makes sustainable leaders a vital part for achieving futuristic goals. Sustainable leadership is inclusive, futuristic, inspirational, humane and regenerative in style and essence. Democratic and participatory style of leadership is more sustainable in nature and is highly recommended.