Leadership Styles--People Oriented Leadership
Leadership positions fall short to aspirants for many reasons. One of the most important reasons is that the aspirant does not have certain important qualities. While there are many such qualities or attributes to make the aspirants effective leaders, three of the more significant attributes are:- a) The ability to Organize b) The willingness to Support and c) The intention to Develop. I would request readers to focus their attention on the nouns i.e., Ability, Willingness and Intention in connection with the attributes and this will clearly show the true quality of another Leadership Style viz., People Oriented or Relationship Oriented Leadership style.
Arjuna Ranatunga, his physique belying his cricketing ability, the first "Captain Cool" and a man who would never flinch in the most trying circumstance. He was a leader who was a People's man. One who could pass off as another Corporate executive if not for his presence in the Cricket Field wielding the willow like any other great batsman. An excellent conversationalist, his focus on his team was immense and his individual steely motivation just seemed to brush off on the most mediocre of team members in Sri Lankan cricket. This man was able to Organize a team from a bunch of happy go lucky islanders at a time when the Island was stricken by Civil War. Someone who had the willingness to not only support his team members but who was willing to stand by them even in utmost crisis, like he did on behalf of Muralitharan post the Darrel Hair (splitting) affair in 1995. Murali was completely shattered and within one year the Lankans won the World Cup defeating the Aussies in Lahore. It was like Murali was destined to be the greatest ever wicket taker in Test Cricket and if not for Arjuna Ranatunga, he would have been a complete wreck.
The only mantra for People Leaders is "Equality". They will treat every team member as equals and this was significantly evident when Arjuna was the leader. He had apparently no biases. Dharmasena was equally effective as Murali and so were Arvinda D'silva and Gurusingha or Roshan Mahanama. Everyone had the gumption to perform at the right time and they all revolved around the "Sun" Arjuna just like planets of the Solar system. Completely in unison with the Man in absolute control.
These leaders are available whenever any member of the team wants them. They are friendly and approachable. They create teams in which everyone wants to be a part of. Team members are never afraid to take risks and succeed since they always know that their Leader will support them come what may. This is what happened in Sri Lankan cricket. Romesh Kaluwitharana, a Wicket Keeper used to bat at number 7 or lower. Sanath Jayasuriya used to bat at number 9 and lower. These two were created to create Mayhem at the top. The pinch hitter was someone who was perfected by Arjuna Ranatunga and due to this new position Sanath Jayasuriya became one of the most destructive batsmen ever. He took some out of the world risks and succeeded. He was completely supported by the Leader.
However, this type of leadership style also has its disadvantages more so when the Leader puts development above all and even above rules and directives which typically should be followed for continuous success. Luckily for Arjuna Ranatunga, he moved before this happened and to a certain extent continued the legacy from a different position of Leadership altogether.
Arjuna Ranatunga, his physique belying his cricketing ability, the first "Captain Cool" and a man who would never flinch in the most trying circumstance. He was a leader who was a People's man. One who could pass off as another Corporate executive if not for his presence in the Cricket Field wielding the willow like any other great batsman. An excellent conversationalist, his focus on his team was immense and his individual steely motivation just seemed to brush off on the most mediocre of team members in Sri Lankan cricket. This man was able to Organize a team from a bunch of happy go lucky islanders at a time when the Island was stricken by Civil War. Someone who had the willingness to not only support his team members but who was willing to stand by them even in utmost crisis, like he did on behalf of Muralitharan post the Darrel Hair (splitting) affair in 1995. Murali was completely shattered and within one year the Lankans won the World Cup defeating the Aussies in Lahore. It was like Murali was destined to be the greatest ever wicket taker in Test Cricket and if not for Arjuna Ranatunga, he would have been a complete wreck.
The only mantra for People Leaders is "Equality". They will treat every team member as equals and this was significantly evident when Arjuna was the leader. He had apparently no biases. Dharmasena was equally effective as Murali and so were Arvinda D'silva and Gurusingha or Roshan Mahanama. Everyone had the gumption to perform at the right time and they all revolved around the "Sun" Arjuna just like planets of the Solar system. Completely in unison with the Man in absolute control.
These leaders are available whenever any member of the team wants them. They are friendly and approachable. They create teams in which everyone wants to be a part of. Team members are never afraid to take risks and succeed since they always know that their Leader will support them come what may. This is what happened in Sri Lankan cricket. Romesh Kaluwitharana, a Wicket Keeper used to bat at number 7 or lower. Sanath Jayasuriya used to bat at number 9 and lower. These two were created to create Mayhem at the top. The pinch hitter was someone who was perfected by Arjuna Ranatunga and due to this new position Sanath Jayasuriya became one of the most destructive batsmen ever. He took some out of the world risks and succeeded. He was completely supported by the Leader.
However, this type of leadership style also has its disadvantages more so when the Leader puts development above all and even above rules and directives which typically should be followed for continuous success. Luckily for Arjuna Ranatunga, he moved before this happened and to a certain extent continued the legacy from a different position of Leadership altogether.
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