(4) How Managers Can Become Better Leaders

Becoming a better leader begins with efforts to know oneself. Each manager has diverse values, needs, goals, ethics, strengths, and weaknesses; these determine how he or she will use the arts of management and leadership. An individual's philosophy about work and about the people who perform it will influence approaches to leadership.

Managers who respect individuals will value diversity and treat each person with dignity. Managers who value security above all else may be too cautious, unwilling to make tough decisions and take their conse­quences.

Managers who value growth and challenge will seek new approaches. Such managers will encourage others to do the same. Because leadership is situational, leaders must be adaptable. They must build teams and work with them. Leaders must willingly and ably exercise different leadership styles.

Managers must provide a vision and "sell" it to their constituents. They need to sense the need for change, prepare themselves and their team members for change, and articulate what is needed for change. Then they must act as change agents.

They can do all these things only by staying current in their fields, remaining open to what is new and different, and committing themselves to constant efforts at self-improvement.

Text: «How Managers Can Become Better Leaders»

I. Read and translate the text.

II. Increase your vocabulary:

1. diverse a - иной, отличный;

разнообразный, разный

2. dignity n - достоинство; чувство

собственного достоинства;

3. cautious a - осторожный,

предусмотрительный

4. tough a - жесткий, крепкий, прочный

5. encourage v - 1. ободрять; 2. поощрять,

поддерживать; 3. подстрекать;

6.adaptable a - легко приспосабливаемый;

7. willingly adv. - охотно, с готовностью;

8. constituent n - 1. составная часть; 2. избиратель,

доверитель;

9. articulate v -1. отчетливо произносить;

2. артикулировать;

3. связывать, соединяться;

10. self-improvement n - самосовершенствование;

11. commit v - поручать, вверять

to commit oneself - связывать себя с …;

принимать на себя

(обязательства и пр.)

12. current a - текущий, теперешний,

современный

III. Fill in the gaps with the words and phrases from the above text:

1. A leader begins with (____________).

2. Each manager has (______) values, strengths and weakness.

3. Managers who (_______) will value (______).

4. Managers who value (______) will seel new approaches.

5. Leaders must be (________).

6. Leaders must willingly exercise (_______).

7. Managers must provide a vision and «sell» it to (________).

8. Managers need to sense (________).

9. Managers need to articulate what (_________).

10. Managers can do your job committing themselves (______).

IV. Give all the possible synonyms to the following words:

effort (n); encourage (v); tough (a); seek (v); constituent (n);

V. Answer the questions to the above given text:

1. Is it possible to become a better leader without knowing oneself?

2. What things has each manager?

3. What will influence approaches to leadership?

4. Is it necessary for any manager to respect individuals?

5. What managers may be too cautious, unwilling to make tough decisions?

6. What managers will seek new approaches?

7. What methods will leaders use in order to encourage their teams to work hard?

8. What leadership styles will good managers willingly exercise?

9. Is it important for managers to commit themselves to constant efforts at self-improvement?

10. What are the main conditions for all managers to become better leaders?

VI. Retell the text close to its contents.

VII. Topic for discussion:

Imagine that you are a good manager in large corporation or firm. You are a highly-qualified professional in your business.

But you are eager to become a better leader. How would you act in order to achieve better results in your work using human resources - your subordinates?