The research of Katz in the 1950s suggested that the skills approach places an emphasis on leadership. This leadership approach applies learned skills as well as a leader’s abilities to situations that require leadership in an organization’s setting. Northouse (2016) states “Leadership skills are defined in this chapter as the ability to use one’s knowledge and competencies to accomplish a set of goals or objectives” (p.44). In addition with these components, applying both mechanisms appropriately to any given situation that requires a leadership perspective, will enhance a leader’s success. Northouse (2016) suggests “ That although personality can certainly play an integral role in leadership, the skills approach suggests that knowledge and abilities are needed for effective leadership” (p.44).
To explain this approach, Northouse (2016) suggests “ The skills approach is primarily descriptive: It describes leadership from a skills perspective” (p.56). Acquired skills such as, technical, human, and conceptual skills, paired with this descriptive approach prove to be one of the most useful strengths of effective leadership performance. These skills must be honed in order to remain current and effective during leadership. Northouse (2016) suggests, “that the skills approach works by providing a road map fro how to reach effective leadership in organizations” (p.45).
Now, let’s consider the benefits of this skills theory. In order to be considered for a leadership position, the individuals that are being considered need to develop the skills to become a high-quality leader so that they are effective in their leadership position. If a potential leader is persistent and works hard to gain new skills, they will demonstrate success if these skills are consistently practiced. A few skills that would be essential to the success of a potential leader and could be developed, are the ability to clearly communicate, trustworthy, positive, creative, responsible, and responds well to feedback. If seeking a leadership position, this approach can be encouraging for those who are interested in a leadership positions. Therefore I agree with Northouse. As Northouse (2016) states, “ Through job experience and training, leaders can become better problem solvers and more effective leaders.
Northouse (2016) theorizes, “Technical skills play an essential role in producing the actual products a company is designed to produce (p.44). Acquiring technical skills to build upon the foundation of leadership will provide the leader the knowledge to understand how the processes within their organization work. This skill is inclined to be most useful in lower and middle management contexts. While developing these technical skills and mastering the elements of an organizations particular technical work process, a leader will then demonstrate the ability to advise and educate necessary information to individuals within the organization. For example, employees producing high quality Apple products at the Apple factory gain experience with technical challenges on a daily basis. Per Northouse (2016), “Technical skills play an essential role in producing the actual products a company is designed to produce” (p.45). Continued exposure to problem solving various malfunctions with Apple related products would allow the employee to gain basic knowledge, understanding, and competencies through these experiences. Steve Jobs began his journey as a leader at this level.
Together with technical skills, conceptual skills are also an additional component to being an effective leader. Conceptualizing skills exposes a leader to being strategic, allows them to set appropriate goals, and work with ideas in their organization. Incorporating these skills as an effective leader will help to provide the leader and their company with planning a clear path to success. When considering an example of a leader conceptualizing an idea, Steve Jobs come to mind. Toma and Marinescu (2013) suggest, “He not only had the ability to be a highly successful leader in an intensely competitive industry” (p.267). His highly developed leadership skills allowed him to achieve this success.
Top management, middle management, and supervisory management all require human skills. While some may disagree that Steve Jobs, who was at top management, did not have the best human skills, others in his organization may disagree. Human skills that can be learned include the ability to be empathetic, listen, and overall work with others. Northouse posits (2016), “They are the abilities that help a leader to work effectively with subordinates, peers, and superiors to accomplish the organization’s goals (p.45). Steve Jobs demonstrated the exceptional ability to motivate his employees and maintain their constant focus on his company’s goal. Furthermore, Northouse (2016) explains, “leaders create an atmosphere of 78yuhtrust where employees can feel comfortable and secure and where they can feel encouraged to become involved in the planning of things that will affect them” (p.45).
Demonstrating the ability encompasses the required knowledge and skills to lead will benefit any owner, manger, or supervisor to achieve their company’s vision. In addition, having a balance of the human skill, technical skill, and conceptual skill will assist a leader in mastering leadership skills and succeeding as a leader in the future. Too much of a focus in one area or the other will cause a workforce imbalance. Northouse (2016) states, “The approach provides a way to delineate the skills of the leader, and leaders at all levels in an organization can use it”. (p. 56), Lastly, “this approach helps us to identify our strengths and weaknesses in regard to these technical, human, and conceptual skills” (p.59). In conclusion, an effective leader will consistently choose the skills that help to achieve the goals for the organization.
References:
Northouse, P.G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice. Seventh Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.