A511.2.3.RB - Supportive Behavior

A511.2.3.RB - Supportive Behavior

Supportive leadership helps to build and maintain effective interpersonal relationships. A manager who is considerate and friendly toward people is more likely to win their friendship and loyalty. The emotional ties that are formed make it easier to gain cooperation and support from people on whom the manager must rely to get the work done. It is more satisfying to work with someone who is friendly, cooperative, and supportive than with someone who is cold and impersonal, or worse, hostile and uncooperative. (Yukl, 2012)

          A leader’s ability to influence followers often lies not in the leader’s actual behaviors, but rather in the appropriateness of those behaviors to the setting. Follower behaviors also influence the leader by triggering particular responses, thereby affecting the leader’s leadership style. A follower’s ability and willingness impacts the situational task.

            Yukl proposes supportive behaviors that all leaders should work toward:
1. Show acceptance and positive regard for others.
2. Be polite and considerate, not arrogant and rude.
3. Treat each employee as an individual.
4. Remember important details about the person.
5. Be patient and helpful when giving instructions or explanations.
6. Provide sympathy and support when the person is anxious or upset.
7. Express confidence in the person when there is a difficult task.
8. Provide assistance with the work when it is needed.
9. Be willing to help with personal problems.
            I try to incorporate this in my every day interaction with my coworkers and crew that I lead. I think I have always taken this approach, because of my upbringing, coaching, and military experience.

            I’ve also seen the effects of having a strong extrovert leader that don’t use supportive behaviors. This atmosphere is non-creative or productive. Whereas using a combination of both in Introvert & Extrovert and supportive behaviors team feels empowered and meaningful. Job satisfaction levels usually rise. Employees believe they have a "say" in decision-making and workplace efficiency. By using these techniques management often develops a much better understanding of their team, workplace conditions and enjoys some fresh new ideas and suggestions for improvements. This usually leads to better, more effective decisions.

References

Simmons, B. L. (2010, September 24). Positvie Organizational Behavior. Retrieved from http://www.bretlsimmons.com/2010-09/nine-supportive-leadership-behaviors/: http://www.bretlsimmons.com/2010-09/nine-supportive-leadership-behaviors/

Yuki, G. A. (2012). Leadership in Organizations. Pearson.