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An Overview of Leadership and Direction

Edwin Chiejine Ogwu, Professor Edwinah Amah

Abstract

The two concepts cannot be separated, and leadership is the driving force, which will help move an organisation towards the direction that it needs to follow. Certainly, the ability to formulate a powerful vision, a strategic path, and be able to share that vision with the entire stakeholders is a very important aspect in strong leadership, and does not solely lie in provision of instructions. A leader should have the capacity to set the organisational path towards attainment of the desirable results and chart a path. This need to create the sense of common purpose and commitment and this direction needs to be clearly stated and understood by the members of the organisation. The process of adapting and alteration of the direction of the organization also requires leadership in the light of changing environments both within and outside the organization. This requires leaders to be agile, malleable and able to manoeuvre through ambiguity at the same time having an element of purpose. Finally, the leadership of a given organization is a demonstration of the effectiveness of its direction. A culture of high performance, collaboration and innovation are promoted by excellent leadership and an excellent strategic direction, which are driving the organisation to the desired future.

References

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