Dr. Bonny V. Banks

Leader Reach: Essays on the Dynamics of Values, Communication, Spirituality and Power in Leadership Dr. Bonny V. Banks

Every leader has a leadership style. Leaders reveal their leadership style in the ways leaders communicate with followers. Communication is verbal as well as non-verbal and also consists of decisions that let followers know, not only what leaders think of followers, but what leaders think of the organization and of themselves as individuals. All persons have certain intrinsic needs to be understood, valued, appreciated, and spiritually fulfilled. Spirituality is defined, not as religious fulfillment necessarily, but rather inner satisfaction and well-being. Leaders, in order to recognize and acknowledge followers? needs, have first to understand their own inner needs and longings. Leaders? met and unmet needs inform the leader/follower relationship, especially in the power dynamic. As well, leaders? modes of communication say much more than mere words. Leaders? actions speak volumes and contribute greatly to how followers see themselves as part of the organization. Organizations and leaders demonstrate values through organizational and leader behavior. When stated values are inconsistent with demonstrated values, followers become unsure of the veracity of leader words. Placing more weight upon leader actions, followers decide to govern themselves accordingly. Organizations, through their leaders, reveal their authentic values in every way leaders interact with followers. There are three dynamics that inform the leader/follower relationship in the area of values interpretation; communication, spirituality, and power. Leaders demonstrate leader and organizational values with every communication, spiritually, and in all aspects of the power relationship. The onset of the Industrial Revolution ushered in mass production and with it the concept of the silent, machine like worker. Ideas and direction descended in top-down fashion upon the traditional hourly employee with no questions asked and few expectations for collaborative discussion. Workers kept their personal opinions, needs, and problems at home and away from the job. In today?s work environment the lines of separation between workers? personal and professional lives are becoming increasingly imprecise as technology allows employers to keep workers engaged well beyond typical workday hours. Twenty-first century organizations have to approach their expectations of the office/virtual employee with the implementation of spiritually centered value systems designed to address workers? evolving needs. Ensuring sustainability and continued relevance in today?s global marketplace begins with addressing the concept of meaningfulness for today?s spiritually hungry workforce who, by the way, also reflects an organization?s customer base.