9.

4 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROACTIVE AND REACTIVE LEADERSHIP

Proactive Leadership means: Taking charge in a conscious, deliberate, active manner; Looking ahead and anticipating the desired future; Planning for what will be accomplished; Strategizing to prevent potential problems so as to spend less time on fire-fighting and more time on fire-prevention.

Reactive Leadership means: Living in an after-fact mode; Spending most of the time reacting to events after they have occurred; Waiting passively for things to happen and resolving problems to arise; Fire-fighting that keeps leaders to occupied that sometimes they dont have time to think about what caused the fires.

~ Proactive leadership is far more effective. ~ Anthony DSouza stated the following characteristics, attitudes and behaviours of reactive and proactive leadership. Reactive Leadership 1. Avoids blame or responsibility. 2. Sees reasons why things cannot be done. 3. Feels in no control of environment. 4. Focuses on problems, obstacles or what to avoid. 5. Is limited by what worked in the past. 6. Is blinded by the problems and obstacles in a situation. 7. Is problem-oriented concentrates finding weaknesses and problems to fix. 8. Finds it difficult to choose and decide. 9. Is afraid of taking risks and facing challenges. 10. Is resistant to change. 11. Cannot let go of the past. 12. Suffers excessive inner stress. 13. Is devastated by failure. 14. Runs out of energy quickly. 15. Has a negative self-image and low self-esteem.

Proactive Leadership 1. Takes responsibility for actions. 2. Has a can do attitude. 3. Feels in control of environment. 4. Focuses on solutions or results wanted. 5. Thinks in terms of new possibilities. 6. Seeks options and focuses on opportunities in a situation. 7. Is opportunity-oriented concentrates on finding strengths and resources. 8. Makes choices easily. 9. Is driven to excel by challenges and risks. 10. Is open to change. 11. Is present and future-oriented. 12. Enjoys an inner calmness. 13. Learns and grows from mistakes. 14. Energized by vitality. 15. Has a positive self-image and high self-esteem.

9.5 FUNCTIONS OF PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP

1. The proactive leader provides a vision for the organization. He has thought about what the organization could be and could accomplish and is very clear about what he wants it to become. The leaders vision goes far beyond the day-to-day setting of objectives and solving of problems. It must be both inspiring enough to be challenging and practical enough to be believed. 2. The proactive leader communicates the organizational vision in such a way that it inspires others to follow and motivates them to action. To do this effectively, the leader must believe passionately in the vision. Only then can he convince others what a wonderful thing it would be for the organization to develop in that organization. He shows each person how he or she will benefit both in satisfaction of their individual wants and goals and in significance of the achievement to add meaning to that persons work or life. 3. The proactive leader assumes responsibility and exercises initiative in obtaining the desired results. Responsibility and initiative are two of the major functions a group expects of its leader. 4. The proactive leader is highly-oriented, self-motivated and self-disciplined. For these reasons, he initiates projects and programs, works hard and cares deeply about the organizational vision. Self-direction and self-motivation are clearly manifest in the proactive leader. Having these abilities wins the respect and trust of others and justifies the positions of the leader. As a leader, his basic motives, attitudes toward others and general methods of dealing with people are crucial importance in determining acceptance and effectiveness.

5. The proactive leader sets an example for others, personifies the ideal for the group and expresses the core values of the organization. People will look to the leaders character and behaviour even more than his words to decide how they should act. People want their leaders to be credible, and setting the example is the key credibility factor. 9.6 VISION DRIVEN LEADERSHIP Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus made a study of the work patterns of 90 prominent leaders. Their study led to the discovery of an important common denominator all the leaders have a compelling vision, a realistic dream about their work. Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner state that Vision derive from a word literally meaning see. Vision suggests a future orientation. A vision is an image - a picture of what could be. As Jonathan Swift wrote in Gullivers Travels, Vision is the art of seeing things invisible. Effective leadership is developed and sustained by your vision. Without one, you cannot reach your full leadership potential. Heres what A. DSuoza says about vision: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Operates as your dynamic force energized by voltage and vitality. Provides lift, stretch, clarity and focus. Guides you to see beyond the immediate. Makes you future-oriented, concentrating on results rather than on activity. Shows you where you are going and why are you are going there. Helps you spot opportunities that others have not seen. Gives you the driving power to see you through tough times. Makes the unreachable reachable and worthwhile future.