Unit 4: What is the role of personal attitude in successful leadership?

Introduction
Successful leaders are quick to share their knowledge and do what they can to empower others. They want to grow the leadership and professional skills in members of their team. Great leaders offer so much more than business knowledge and strategy. They know how
to build trust and empower those they work with. Their people skills are what puts them apart and in a superior league to the lesser model of leadership.
In this unit, we will deal with the roles of personal attitude in successful leadership. Personal attitude of a leader can influence employees to work hard and achieve the business objectives. The positive attitude of a leader is critical for good leadership because the leader’s attitude models the behaviour of the whole team.
The national diagnostic reports indicate that learners confuse the role of personal attitude in successful leadership with the qualities of an entrepreneur. Some provide negative responses when responding to a question on the role of personal attitude in successful leadership.

Facts that must be considered when teaching the role of personal attitude in successful leadership

• Request learners to define the meaning of attitude e.g., it is a feeling or way of thinking that affects a person’s behaviour
• Advise learners that the word “attitude” must not always be perceived as negative as this will to failure.
• Teaching and learning must focus on how a leader’s positive attitude” can result to successful leadership.
• Use demonstrations and examples to explain the role of personal attitude in successful leadership.
• Request learners to identify phrases from the notes on this content that will enable them to remember key point.
• Learners should be advised to refrain from providing negative responses on this content.
• Advise them that this topic should not be confused with the qualities of an entrepreneur or a manager as the focus is on a “positive attitude” instead of a “ character” or “ personality”.
• Teaching and learning should focus on how personal attitude contributes to successful leadership.
• It must be emphasised that a ‘positive attitude’ leads to successful leadership which enables the overcoming of business challenges.
• Class discussions should focus on the words ‘positive attitude’ when teaching the role of personal attitude as being vital to successful leadership. Examples of respected business leaders who embody these factors must be given.