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How An MBA In Business Leadership Taught Me The Importance of Organizational Leadership

28 Sep 2021
- admin
“The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.”
~ John Maxwell, one of the world’s top leadership thinkers

After completing my B. Tech in Computer Science, I started my career with a leading Information Technology Company (IBM) as an Application Developer. This was a technical job which involved writing code for applications day in and day out. The kind of approach we were supposed to follow was based on the Agile Method. As a developer, we were supposed to follow an iterative approach for speedier and better implementation. For the uninitiated, Agile software development involves short iterations of development so one can continually adapt to the dynamic needs of businesses.

After a few years, I eventually reached a stage where I was ready to move higher within the team framework. I was being asked to lead a team of 25 developers and integrate within a larger group of teams, all being led by what I thought, leaders who were seasoned in the business. Effective Agile development is about teamwork and this requires effective leaders to guide them through the process. I realised that knowing the subject was one thing, leading a team was another. It required a disciplined project management process that encouraged adaptation; a leadership approach that encouraged teamwork, self-organization and accountability. When I started to gather information for the new role, I came across the concept of organizational leadership. That got me thinking, and I decided to pursue formal management education with focus on business leadership at one of the top MBA colleges in India – SOIL Institute of Management. My employers were supportive in this endeavour and decided to give me time to pursue my passion of learning and in return come back to bring something extra to the table.

What is Organizational Leadership?

Peter Northouse, eminent professor of communication and leadership, defines leadership as “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal”. Thus, leadership is a behavioural process rather than a title or a position. Extending this definition to the corporate world, organizational leadership would refer to the strategic process of guiding AND managing a group of individuals within the organization to achieve a goal. This management approach is specific as it works for individual benefit, for the group and the organization.

The traits that an organizational leader possesses are an amalgam of process driven and personal touch. Some of these may be inherent in people while others can be learnt in a programme focused on leadership. A management programme in business leadership could focus on developing innate leadership skills besides imparting or reinforcing core management concepts.

So, what are some traits that an organizational leader would look to possess? While there is no clear demarcation on skills of a leader, some of them which I could make out through my research could be –
1. Communication Skills – Communication skills of a leader should look to be two ways where feedback from subordinates and other shareholders should be viewed constructively. Satisfaction in the stakeholders is a key element in business process and fosters appreciation and team building.
2. Team-building – This trait is essential to ensure that strategies and approaches are applied to achieve transformation and participation. Individual team members tend to thrive under leaders who guide them through motivation, imparting skills and participative approach.
3. Empathy – This is a construct that is essential to organizational leadership. Empathy refers to the willingness and ability to appreciate others’ viewpoints in the organization. Apart from a cosmetic display, a genuine ability to reach out to help others in case of need defines a true leader.
4. Ethics – This is a process which aids the leader to strike a balance and be fair to all stakeholders. The approach is critical in an organizational setup as leaders often juggle in problem situations and are supposed to take decisions that are impartial, right and still engaged.
5. Managing Conflicts – Organizational conflicts are inevitable to the running of a business organization. So are maintaining relationships with stakeholders – whether external or internal. The leader has to walk a tight rope and handle conflicts and ensure the best solution for the affected parties and organizational interests.
Importance of Organizational leadership – My learning through the one year MBA In Business Leadership Program

As I managed to update myself with all the basics of organizational leadership and its importance, I was now ready to take my learning to the next level through a formal one year MBA program, with a specialisation in Business Leadership.

I realised that rather than being transactional, one needed to have a different approach to succeed as a leader. Building relationships and performance had to originate from a human – centric approach. I also realised that without an orientation into the ways of leadership, I would have struggled in my transition.

It is very often that mid-career managers, like me, struggle in leadership roles as they are not exposed to the nuances of leading vs managing. The one year MBA has helped me to think differently and also given me further insights into cross functional skills. Armed with the knowledge derived from an MBA in business Leadership’s unique curriculum and teaching methodology will help me transition from an individual contributor to a modern day business leader.

The leadership training helped me to identify my shortcomings and challenges through a unique pedagogy that provides an exposure to liberal arts, experiential learning, case studies, and core management concepts.

Pursuing this course has given me a springboard to further my career through new perspectives and thought processes. I am sure these would help to think differently and realise my latent leadership qualities.

To sum up, the one year MBA in business leadership has taught me that leadership in an organizational setting requires a whole new mindset. Today, I can safely say that with my return as a seasoned Management professional, I would carry back –
- A realisation about my innate leadership abilities and how to apply them in professional settings.
- A deeper understanding of various characteristics of effective leadership.
- Skills in effective communication
- A mindset that focuses on teamwork and collaborative techniques.
- A refresher on critical thinking, ethics, transformative decision making and problem solving.
- Learning the core areas of business management (some of which I was not familiar with)
- An ability to think innovatively and build a creative thought process for continuous professional development and growth.
My final take on the one year MBA courses at SOIL

Coming from an industry where leading teams is core to the success of the organizational goals, I have realised that leadership skills are essential to function and thrive in the business world. Leadership is a way of thought and organizations often are found wanting as they look out for talent. The demand for effective leaders and managers would continue to grow and to be equipped with a mindset and skills would define the new generation leader.

This MBA by SOIL Institute of Management addresses any deficit and helps you with the skills needed to be a leader in Emerging India.

Coupled with work experience, it can be a potent launch-pad for young professionals, such as me, to build a career with top-notch corporations.

This program through its innovative pedagogy will develop you into a leader high on integrity and character. The future of India as an emerging economic superpower would depend on its leaders. And the SOIL MBA in Business Leadership is there to take the inspired to the next level.

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