Pacesetting Leadership

OUTLINE

TOPIC: Pacesetting Leadership

INTRODUCTION: The Pace-setting Leader builds challenge and exciting goals for people, expecting excellence and often exemplifying it themselves. They identify poor performers and demand more of them. If necessary, they will roll up their sleeves and rescue the situation themselves. They tend to be low on guidance, expecting people to know what to do. They get short term results but over the long term this style can lead to exhaustion and decline. Done badly, it lacks Emotional Intelligence, especially self-management. A classic problem happens when the 'star techie' gets promoted. It is best used for results from a motivated and competent team. It often has a very negative effect on climate (because it is often poorly done).

BODY:

Attributes of Pacesetting Leaders

The pacesetting leader sets both high standards for themselves and those they are leading. One of the key attributes of this style is the "lead by example" approach. They don't ask their followers to do anything they wouldn't do themselves. Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same motivating forces.

Pacesetting leaders are also quick to identify individuals that are not keeping pace with their expectations. Poor performers are asked to rise to the occasion, and if they do not, they are quickly replaced.

Pacesetters don't give employees a lot of positive feedback; they simply don't have the time. On the flip side, they have no problem jumping right in and taking over if they think progress is too slow.

PROS AND CONS:

Clearly one of the pros of the pacesetting leadership style is they are able to quickly achieve business results. In the short term, there will be a high-energy group with outstanding performance in terms of accomplishing tasks as well as the quality of the work itself.

On the down side, the style has a negative effect on the work environment. In fact, only the coercive leadership style has a greater negative effect on people. Oftentimes employees are simply overwhelmed by the speed and the demands placed upon them, resulting in morale that quickly deteriorates.

To make matters worse, the haste under this leadership style is such that instructions to followers may not even be clear. Ironically, the leader has no patience for those that need to learn, or are not picking up new work fast enough.

EFFECTIVELY USING THE STYLE:

The most effective way to use the pacesetting style is when a business or department is in need of quick results from a group that is already highly motivated and competent. This means the motivation that's driving the leader must also exist among the followers.

The style

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