Introduction
In today's times it is difficult to speak of two such important words as they are: “leadership” and “moral”, and the situation becomes more difficult when you think about how they are related; All this because in the society in which we live seem to have lost the most fundamental values, and therefore, many problems have arisen. The important thing is not only to detect the problems and be studied, rather it is necessary to provide practical strategies to improve such situation.
With this in mind you begin to get an idea of what moral leadership is, what it implies and what it requires. But to form a much broader criterion, these words must be developed further.
Leadership
Leadership is the exercise of the activities of the leader, and, according to the RAE, a leader is the person who directs a political, social or other collective party.
This definition seems to be very superfluous or that it implies almost nothing, since the society in which one lives has greatly influenced, however, a leader goes beyond just directing. Being a leader involves many attitudes that must be practiced to reach a goal.
And morality plays a very important role, that is why it is necessary to analyze it in this context, so it is worth asking a very interesting question:
Why is moral leadership necessary?
Today's society is going through conflicts that have been generated due to the changes that have occurred over the years, which seems ironic, since the years have provided benefit to society through science and technology, however, it is alarming to see how society seems to fall apart with everything and that. It seems that ethics and values took a back seat in a society developed in technology, but underdeveloped in terms of morality.
Since you have such an outlook, like any problem, you need to find a solution, identifying the problems from the root. And it has been seen that these problems are moral, because knowledge is had, but it is useless if it does not pass to a practical plane.
What kind of leader should you be?
Those who have studied this subject in depth, have made a classification on the types of leaders, which are necessary to know.
Types of leaders
- Authoritarian leader
This type of leader does not accept suggestions, all he does is give orders and expects an unquestionable submission.
- Know-it-all leader
This type of leader suggests with his words and actions that he has a superior knowledge than others.
- Paternalistic leader
The paternalistic leader is one who seeks the good of all, but who overprotects, and makes the final decisions because he believes that only he is fit to do so.
- Manipulative leader
He is the one who uses everything necessary regardless of anything or anyone to reach his individual goals.
- Democratic leader
The democratic leader is one who is participatory and is also representative.
Consequences
It is necessary to analyze the types of leaders to take a correct position before the group of which one is the leader, as this generates a response from that group, and this leads to achieving or not specific ends.
So the group's responses to the various leaders are:
- Before the authoritarian leader there may be rebellious responses, there is resentment towards the leader, and this causes divisions and disagreements. Before the know-it-all leader, the group may have feelings of inferiority and therefore do not give their opinions because they feel insecure and fearful of expressing opinions, which means that there is no enrichment due to the lack of diverse opinions The group may have attitudes of dependence before the paternalistic leader, and it is a big problem because there cannot be a development in the capacities Before the manipulative leader the group has Attitudes of mistrust.Finally, before the democratic leader the group feels with all the confidence to express an opinion, it knows that it is taken into account, it works with great pleasure, which helps in performance, better results are produced, there are development of capacities,and there is a complement in the group.
It can be noted that each of the types of leadership brings consequences as both harmful and beneficial, as the case may be, but this is to analyze the final point, however, there is still a more important consideration to analyze.
What motivates a leader?
Motivation is something important because it is what comes from within and is made known in actions, it is true that sometimes the true motivations are covered up, but sooner or later the true motive arises.
A person, in this context, a leader can be motivated by completely personal issues or, can be motivated by and for a common benefit. And all this can only give us the idea of a service.
Serving is a magnificent word but it carries many things in itself. It carries many things in itself because it is an exercise that requires analyzing and meditating, but that gives us many personal benefits and also to others. It involves great efforts in the sense of destroying our ego, since it allows us to see the position we have before God and in turn gives us a purpose in life.
It leads us to see that it is something that has its place and satisfies part of our existence.
When you have this correct worldview, the motivation is not to have more profits, it is not by the mere sense of obligation, but love shines with all its splendor and can be reflected in all senses, because there is love for God, for the neighbor, for work, for society. And it is not only a love uttered with mere empty words, but it finds in humanity the object of its love, through its service, which achieves a service that gives the best of itself, and nothing by halves.
It may seem like a contradiction that a leader is a servant, but it is so, because having the correct worldview knows that all work is worthy of being done, so it does not have conflicts with doing this or that thing for those who serve, the only important thing is to serve and to serve in an adequate way, because he also has an adequate thought of himself and of who he is, he knows that serving does not make him inferior, but benefits everyone. He is not looking for recognition, but an advance and benefit for all.
Thus the moral leader is pleased with more sublime things, though he seeks nothing, yet in service he finds perpetual happiness.
What is the goal of moral leadership?
Moral leadership results in individual growth, as it achieves a knowledge of himself, a control of his ego, an ability to visualize things from an objective sense. It makes him develop such that he exploits all his capacities in all areas, which gives him that sense of improvement.
It is also beneficial to society because it fosters values and above all unity and love. Well, it shows that we are all united, that we are not different in terms of subatomic composition, so we are not different at a macroscopic level either. That we are all one, but that unity must be achieved as an individual and on a par with society.
What does moral leadership entail?
A moral leadership involves great efforts, of course, because you are swimming against the current. Well, in a society that is flawed and in a sense enslaved, an enormous job must be done so as not to be dominated by your ego, so as not to be influenced by its environment. You must create a discipline with yourself and with your ideals, which must become true convictions so that they prevail in your life, and it is not feelings that lead you to act temporarily, but noble acts that arise from within and are carried carried out continuously, regardless of the circumstances, obstacles, pressure, fatigue… so many and so many circumstances that are present all the time in life, because they are part of it, and therefore, cannot be conditions that you can control.
Commitment is the most fundamental part for the moral leader. That commitment to his convictions is what will lead him to transcend. Well, it not only consists of having in mind what must be done, but carrying out all that stored theory. For this reason it is necessary to always be able to be aware of oneself, because in this way what is thought about the world is controlled. You must make a conscious effort to focus on specific things and not let your mind wander. Pay attention to the way you act because that way you can know who you are and who you should be. All this will bring unity to oneself, which will imply peace and happiness, and that should also result in treating others with kindness, love and compassion, because you will understand that not everyone chooses to live that way (consciously),but that does not mean treating them with aversion.
Conclusion.
Without a doubt, being a leader is a quality that is sought in people today, since it is necessary to know how to handle both material elements, with elements or human resources, with their problems, conflicts and also the strategies that are due to follow. Obviously not all people have this quality, because as in any other system you must have leaders and followers, who in turn also have special characteristics that do not make them less important than the first.
However, thinking about the preparation that a leader must have, it is necessary to mention different attitudes and skills that they must have, in order to solve any type of problematic situation that arises.
Bibliographic references.
- Eloy Anello, Juanita de Hernández. (1993). Moral Leadership. Bolivia: ISER.Luna Lagunes Xochitl Abigail. (2016, June 7). Definition of Moral Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.gestiopolis.com/definicion–liderazgo–moral/Rojas Gutiérrez Keila Yeritze. (2016, April 11). Moral leadership and transcendence. Retrieved from https://www.gestiopolis.com/liderazgo–moral–trascendencia/Sánchez Ávila María Fernanda. (2016, April 1). Moral Leadership. Recovered from
