Episode 79: Models of Effective Leadership – Joan of Arc, Alexander the Great and Ginger the Chicken?

What makes for an effective leader and how can you improve your leadership skills? Well, who’s the best role model for a leader? How about a chicken? In this episode of The Psych Files we examine Chicken Run to see how she embodies the best qualities of a leader. I know – sounds a little weird, but I guarantee you’ll come away with a better understanding of leadership and some of the top leadership theories.

Characteristics of Effective Leaders

• Provides followers with a compelling vision for the future
• Has Specific ideas and plans on how to reach that future
• Provides followers with challenging goals (and feedback related to those goals) to help them reach the vision (Path/Goal leadership theory)
• Emotional Stability
• Persistence in the face of setbacks (a positive attributional style)
• Willingness to take personal risks to get to obtain the vision
• Principled
• Can share power and credit with subordinates/followers
• Knows his/her people well enough to delegate tasks according to follower’s talents, skills and desires
• Tough but fair
• Works alongside his/her subordinates to reach the goal

Resources on Leadership

• Bennis, W.G. (1993). An invented life: Reflections on leadership and change. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley
• Hogan, R, Curphy, G. J. & Hogan, J. (1994). What we know about leadership: Effectiveness and personality. American Psychologist, 49(6), 493-504.