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Importance of Organizational Leadership 

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Importance of Organizational Leadership 

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What is organizational leadership?

Organizational leadership is the ability to lead groups of individuals toward fulfilling an organization's mission.

It encompasses the following skills:

Understanding an organization's mission, in alignment with one's strengths.

Creating a strategic plan in line with that mission.

Implementing goals and holding teams accountable for accomplishing those goals within an established timeline, and in alignment with the strategic plan.

Foreseeing possible challenges in the road ahead.

Innovating to meet those challenges.

Pivoting effectively as circumstances change.

Remaining calm amidst uncertainty.

Communicating effectively.

Inspiring groups of individuals to do their best and work toward a unified purpose.

Addressing the concerns of internal stakeholders and the community at large.

Doing all of the above, with an eye on inclusivity, integrity, and authenticity.

The above skills are predicated on the leader's expertise, learned managerial skills, growth mindset, and developed emotional intelligence. They allow the leader to be aware of oneself, their impact on others, and the motivation of others, within the context of furthering the organization's singular mission.

Organizational leadership vs. traditional management

Organizational leadership encompasses a broader scope of responsibility than traditional management. Organizational leadership communicates the mission and vision, establishes the strategic plan, and inspires individuals to put forth their talents to fulfill the goals aligned with the strategic plan and, ultimately, the leader's vision.

Traditional management fulfills only part of that overall vision. The manager's role has been typically to communicate leadership's direction, set expectations, assign tasks, problem solve, and complete the goals assigned to that particular group.

Why is organizational leadership important?

Traditional management has been downplayed in recent years as "maintaining" the status quo. With innovation and disruption happening at record speed, management doing things as they've always been done is not enough. Organizational leadership is needed at every level to consider how current practices can be further improved or changed to meet future needs.

Organizational leadership is important because it:

1. Motivates team members. Team members respond in kind to the leader. They will be motivated to mirror the growth mindset for their teams and themselves and consider how they can personally contribute to the forward momentum of the organization as a whole.

2. Allows for a problem-solving and decision-making mindset. In a psychologically safe atmosphere where people are not afraid to speak up, great ideas can emerge. When a leader entrusts the individuals hired into their roles to develop solutions and make decisions, exponential growth is possible.

3. Promotes communication, ethics, inclusion, and respect. The highly emotionally intelligent organizational leader communicates in all ways that every employee's contributions are respected, as every role is vital to the organization's forward movement as a whole. The leader shares the organization's values and models the communication, ethics, inclusion, and respect expected of each individual.

4. Allows organizational leaders to remain goal-oriented. With individuals empowered to fulfill their roles and develop innovative solutions, the organizational leader may focus on the larger picture: moving the mission forward with an eye on navigating the challenges ahead.

Can you get an organizational leadership degree?

There are multiple degrees in organizational leadership, ranging from bachelor's to doctoral degrees. Here are a few examples:

BA, Organizational Leadership

BS, Business Leadership

Master of Science, Organizational Leadership and Learning

Executive Master of Leadership

Doctorate of Education, Organizational Change and Leadership

Ph.D., Organizational Leadership

However, there are plenty of other degrees that may serve a role in organizational leadership just as well, including

BS, Business Administration

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Ph.D., in Management and Organization

Do you need an organizational leadership degree?

In a large organization, a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will most likely have an MBA from a prestigious university and a track record of working in finance and moving up in leadership roles. A Vice President of Human Resources will most likely have a JD to ensure the requisite knowledge of the multiple employment laws.

However, plenty of smaller organizations and levels of the organization would not require those same degrees. For instance, a Master of Science in Human Resources may suffice for a mid-tier leadership organizational role or a higher role in a smaller organization. Many experienced professionals pursue a part-time degree, certificate, or executive program to fill in any gaps as they move into leadership roles.

The options are limitless. The right degree depends on your experience and your career goals. When choosing your leadership development path, consider:

1. What size organization you'd like to join.

2. Which level you wish to lead (manager, director, division head, vice president, president, other).

3. The education levels in the type of company and role you'd like to join.

This information should help determine what education you will need to eventually lead an organization with the requisite knowledge and accumulated managerial and leadership skills.

Where can you get a job as an organizational leader?

Organizational leaders are needed in all sectors: business corporations, technology, health care, government, education, and non-profit organizations. Organizational leadership jobs can be found at various levels of an organization. However, the title will most likely not be "organizational leader."

Traditionally, future organizational leaders are first identified as "high potential" employees (HiPos), then proceed to organizational leadership roles with manager and director level titles. Higher-level organizational leadership jobs include titles like Dean, Provost, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Vice President, and President. Roles to consider with potential for growth in organizational leadership include:

Human Resources Manager

Organization Manager

Training & Development Manager

Project Manager

Sales Representative

Some organizations have started to realize that the process and very notion of identifying a few select "HiPos" can be too narrow and backward-looking. Organizations need more, and more varied, leadership at all levels. Don't let the fact that you aren't selected into a high-potential group dissuade you from developing the attributes needed for organizational leadership.

How to develop yourself as an organizational leader?

Some skills are inherent, but great leaders know there is always room for further learning and development. For example:

Build your expertise through formal education, internal training opportunities, and mentorship programs.

Develop a reputation for taking the lead on teams and having an aptitude for leadership.

Develop a reputation for listening and building great, collaborative teams by bringing out the best in everyone.

Be clear about your desire to lead. An opportunity may not open right away, but It's important to stay top of mind in conversations around succession planning.

Create positive working relationships across the organization. Share useful information and resources.

Request informational interviews with people who are currently in the leadership roles you aspire to. Ask them what they wish they had known when they were in your shoes.

Develop relationships with mentors who can guide you based on their experience and expertise, and with sponsors who can connect you to those who will be vital to your leadership development.

Volunteer and be a part of an organization that gathers people from across the organization or multiple organizations. Say "yes" to being on the board and playing a leadership role.

Take opportunities for professional development, including a higher education degree that focuses on leadership skills and prepares you to step into an organizational leadership role.

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Final thoughts on organizational leadership

There are many more tactical resources that may help you on your journey toward a role in organizational leadership. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains a database of occupations, the demand, and related salaries, and the O*NET Online database that details the skills requirements of various occupations: You may further explore the roles that interest you on the more user-friendly and visually pleasing RoadTrip Nation. Or, if you're unclear about the industry sector that best suits you, the Holland Code Career Test offers good exploration and self-reflection.

Continual development will not only help you achieve an organizational leadership job, but it can also help you continually improve your performance and impact.

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What Is organizational leadership and why is it important? | BetterUp

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Organizational leadership is the ability to lead groups of individuals toward fulfilling an organization's mission. It encompasses the following skills: Understanding an organization's mission, in alignment with one's strengths. Creating a strategic plan in line with that mission. Implementing goals and holding teams accountable for accomplishing those goals within an established timeline, and in alignment with the strategic plan.

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As an educator, I have dedicated myself to leading and helping students improve their education and reaching their full potential. I will show empathy, respect, patience, and grace with all students and co-workers. I aim to lead by example showing courage, loyalty, and respect for all. I believe in bettering myself through continuing my very own learning through school and professional development to ensure I can support and guide students to reaching their full potential. I care about building lasting positive relationships with my students and strive to motivate and build their confidence to go after anything they set their mind to. I value my students’ opinions and willingness to be open and upfront. Most importantly I strive to make a lasting positive impact on each student in hopes that they will have the confidence and courage to go after their dreams and reach their full potential.

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Cherry, K9o. (2021). What type of leadership do you have? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/whats-your-leadership-style-3866929
Core leadership values. (n.d.). https://masonleads.gmu.edu/about-us/core-leadership-values/
Gleason, M.C. & Priest, K. L. (2021). Applying complexity to leadership educator professional formation. New Directions for Student Leadership, 2021(172), 89–98. DOI: 10.1002/yd.20473
Korcheck, S. A., Reese, M., & Texas Association of School Administrators, A. T. C. of W. S. E. (2002). Women as school executives: Research and reflections on educational leadership. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED473403
Mind Tools Content Team. (n.d.). Emotional intelligence in leadership. MindTools. https://www.mindtools.com/ax3ar6w/emotional-intelligence-in-leadership
Organizational Communication Channel. (2020). Path-Goal theory of leadership [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL8QEMR9428
Parmar, A. (2022). The five components of emotional intelligence. ThinkPsych. https://thinkpsych.com/blog/the-five-components-of-emotional-intelligence/

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Women as School Executives: Research and Reflections on Educational Leadership 

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Women as School Executives: Research and Reflections on Educational Leadership 

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The classic model of leadership focuses on three major styles used by leaders. Take this quiz to learn more about your leadership style.

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Core Leadership Values | MasonLeads | George Mason University

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Values are the guiding principles in our lives. Leadership occurs within the context of core values. Leaders guide and facilitate others to make a positive difference in their own lives and to contribute to a larger good. Values inform the application of leadership qualities as the competencies of leadership are activated - learned, developed, and practiced - within the set of core values.

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The Five Components of Emotional Intelligence - ThinkPsych

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Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand oneself and others. It can be better understood by exploring its five components.

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This is a great read on Emotional Intelligence in Leadership. The article tells the different qaulities to emotional intelligence and ways that an individual can improve their emotional intelligence.

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The more that you, as a leader, manage each of these areas, the higher your emotional intelligence. So, let's look at each element in more detail and examine how you can grow as a leader.

Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

1. Self-awareness

If you're self-aware, you always know how you feel, and you know how your emotions and your actions can affect the people around you. Being self-aware when you're in a leadership position also means having a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses, and it means behaving with humility.

So, what can you do to improve your self-awareness?

Keep a journal. Journals help you improve your self-awareness. If you spend just a few minutes each day writing down your thoughts, this can move you to a higher degree of self-awareness.

2. Self-regulation

Leaders who regulate themselves effectively rarely verbally attack others, make rushed or emotional decisions, stereotype people, or compromise their values. Self-regulation is all about staying in control.

This element of emotional intelligence, according to Goleman, also covers a leader's flexibility and commitment to personal accountability.

So, how can you improve your ability to self-regulate?

Hold yourself accountable. If you tend to blame others when something goes wrong, stop. Make a commitment to admit to your mistakes and to face the consequences, whatever they are. You'll probably sleep better at night, and you'll quickly earn the respect of those around you.

Practice being calm. The next time you're in a challenging situation, be very aware of how you act. Do you relieve your stress by shouting at someone else? Practice deep-breathing exercises to calm yourself. Also, try to write down all of the negative things you want to say, and then rip it up and throw it away. Expressing these emotions on paper (and not showing them to anyone!) is better than speaking them aloud to your team. What's more, this helps you challenge your reactions to ensure that they're fair!

3. Motivation

Self-motivated leaders work consistently toward their goals, and they have extremely high standards for the quality of their work.

How can you improve your motivation?

Re-examine why you're doing your job. It's easy to forget what you really love about your career. So, take some time to remember why you wanted this job. If you're unhappy in your role and you're struggling to remember why you wanted it, try the Five Whys technique to find the root of the problem. Starting at the root often helps you look at your situation in a new way. And make sure that your goal statements are fresh and energizing. For more on this, see our article on Goal Setting.

4. Empathy

For leaders, having empathy is critical to managing a successful team or organization. Leaders with empathy have the ability to put themselves in someone else's situation. They help develop the people on their team, challenge others who are acting unfairly, give constructive feedback, and listen to those who need it.

If you want to earn the respect and loyalty of your team, then show them you care by being empathic.

How can you improve your empathy?

Respond to feelings. You ask your assistant to work late - again. And although he agrees, you can hear the disappointment in his voice. So, respond by addressing his feelings. Tell him you appreciate how willing he is to work extra hours, and that you're just as frustrated about working late. If possible, figure out a way for future late nights to be less of an issue (for example, give him Monday mornings off).

5. Social Skills

Leaders who do well in the social skills element of emotional intelligence are great communicators. They're just as open to hearing bad news as good news, and they're experts at getting their team to support them and be excited about a new mission or project.

Leaders who have good social skills are also good at managing change and resolving conflicts diplomatically. They're rarely satisfied with leaving things as they are, but they don't sit back and make everyone else do the work: they set an example with their own behavior.

So, how can you build social skills?

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Emotional Intelligence in Leadership - Learning How to Be More Aware

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Relating to others is vital in today's workplace. Learn how to build your emotional intelligence (EI) with this article.

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Applying complexity to leadership educator

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The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Program 

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The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Program 