Leadership in University-mission possible?

When it comes to real world work everyone wants to prosper and to people the most natural
indicator of being successful is taking a major position in a company. That is great but are we
born with leadership skills or we develop them through e!perience? "nd if so why the
situation in universities is so much different?
#n university ground the idea of leading and being in charge of a project is one of the most
avoided and appalled from students. $s it so because there is no money reward or because of
the lack of respect and gratitude from the rest of the students? $f we were born leaders and it
is a naturally imbibed flair why does it not show itself on educational level but only when
one%s salary is at stake?
Those &uestions highly intrigued me during my visits to "irbus as part of my mentoring
scheme. The amount of dedication and determination $ spotted in my mentor who is a lead
project manager in 'round Loads were almost contagious. "nd it came as no surprise- a
leader should before anything else be inspirational. When $ directed at him the &uestion of
why would anybody want to take on that much responsibility he simply told me that it was a
secret $ had to work out for myself.
(o taking the lesson with me $ volunteered for leading the aerodynamics group within a
large Wing-build project of )* people which we were assigned in one our (tructural design
and communication unit. That put me in a position of being in charge of + people from the
start of the year and ongoing till ,arch -*./.
The e!perience so far has been over thrilling and engaging. The way in which one learns
about people through managing them is the most valuable $ have known. "s an outcome $
would like to put forward my advice and suggestions to people who want to lead in the future
their subordinates at university level.
.. 0arn their respect and trust by being a good e!ample. This can be achieved through
demonstrating competence and knowledge of the discipline your project is going
under. $n this way the team members would feel reassured that their work is relevant
and that they could rely on you for getting it properly done.
-. 'oing through the work and theory before the others so that you can be able to
e!plain it in simpler pattern to them and help out if &uestions arise. $t is leaders% main
task to know what is happening on a large scale all the time. 1ever go to a meeting
underprepared.
). 'et to know the members of your team better2 their strengths and weaknesses2 $ found
that this enabled me to make the team more productive and efficient because in the
end everyone was given a task they would enjoy doing rather than being forced to do.
/. "fter splitting the work between each of them try to stay in contact with them and
check how they are progressing and if any obstacles arise offer them your help. $t is
leaders% responsibility to get things done in the first place.
3. 0ncourage sharing opinion and ideas as the work goes along. $t is imperative that you
get various suggestions and the more the better4
5. 0ncourage them through little indulgences. $n university just like in real life
rewarding people for their work has e!actly the same positive effect. #ne suggestion
might be to bring cake or tea during your meetings. ,aking the atmosphere
comfortable and cosy would not only release the tension but also bring the team
closer.
+. Use the social networks such as facebook for creating a group for the team6common
conversation in which the topics of conversation can deviate from work and bond the
team outside the professional conte!t.
7. (tay firm and concentrated on implementing the tasks within the time schedule but do
not act bossy and superior to the others. $n the same time do not be too meek and
nice. (ometimes as you would find out certain people will not follow your
recommendations or will not do the work they are given at all. "t such times serious
talk to them would be a necessity. 8o not pressurise them too much but never let them
too loose.
9. "rguments are to be avoided at all times since you do not need bad atmosphere
between your team members. Therefore clarify from the beginning that if an issue is
raised the members should try to clarify it through you not between themselves only.
That might turn out to be underwater volcano waiting to erupt every moment and
undermine the work of the whole team.
.*. 8o not delegate tasks in the form of commands but rather try to be polite and ask your
members to do things.
... (tay self-motivated and on top of things at all times. Work out strategy which will
bring all of your team under the same vision for how when and what should be
happening. This can be achieved through writing agenda planning ahead activities
and constantly updating everyone on new information.
$ would say that leadership is probably a mi!ture of personal characteristics but none the less
hard work and motivation. $t pays off in the end in terms of appreciation and gratitude you
receive from your subordinates. :ut only if you do it the right way. $t is not unusual for group
projects in university to go under the slogan of disasters and chaos. $t is not rare the case of
having one person doing all the work and the others not having a clue of what is going on.
Which is not the idea of doing something in team in the first place?
To conclude $ would site ;hil <ackson -=The strength of the team is each individual member.
The strength of each member is the team.>