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Effective Leadership Report

Introduction

The growth rate in the City of the Kelsey creates concerns regarding the availability of water to the residents. Therefore, the local government has developed a sustainability plan, to ensure efficient water supply in the city. However, the mayor, as the leader of the city, will empower government employees to pursue such activities as educating citizens about water conservation measures and empowering stakeholders in the creation of a strong Stakeholder power Base. Even so, organizational challenges, are inevitable in the implementation of the water supply plan. Consequently, there is a need that the mayor adapts the transformational and the path-goal leadership theories, by employing participative leadership style, in motivating stakeholders, towards positive water supply outcomes in the city. This paper will address the current culture in the city of Keysel, and how the structure acts as a barrier to successful implementation of the water supply plan. The paper will give a further analysis of how the transformational and path-goal leadership theories, will be integrated, to ensure positive project outcomes.

Key Stakeholders in the City Government

The citizens and business owners of the City of Kelsey are the main stakeholders in the water supply project, since they are likely to be affected by the water supply project. Firstly, the stakeholders will be facing various inconveniences, with regards to water distribution during the implementation process as well as tax increases, to finance the project. Therefore, engaging the stakeholders in the decision making process will be vital in countering conflicts between the stakeholders. Moreover, educating the stakeholders on the importance of the water supply will be important to the sustainability of the project.

Current Culture in the Government

The City of Kelsey works under a mayor-council structure, where the mayor is separately elected by the citizens, to act as their leader in the city. Under the mayor-council system, the elected mayor undertakes both administrative and financial responsibilities, to ensure the needs of the people are met by the government. According to Ward, 2017, the mayor is responsible for any faults, that may deter successful implementation of growth strategies in the city. Therefore, the mayor needs to employ an effective leadership strategy, to ensure the needs of the people are met, in the city.

Role of the Mayor

Before identifying organizational challenges that may be faced in the municipal structure, it is important to identify the role of the mayor in ensuring successful implementation of the water sustainability plan. The role of the mayor, in the City of Kelsey, is to work with city leaders and ensure positive support from the project key stakeholders, for the successful implementation of the water supply project. Therefore, the mayor has a responsibility of empowering government employees, to educate the primary stakeholders, on effective water conservation strategies and water resources in the city. The mayor will also empower the stakeholders to create an effective power base, to ensure effective policies are implemented for the successful completion of the project. Finally, the mayor will work the city leaders, project stakeholders, the conservation commission and advisory board and the council members, to implement a water treatment plant, which will include, underground piping, to enhance the water supply system in the city.

Organizational Challenges in the Municipal Structure

According to Ward, (2017), the mayor takes lead in various political powers in the city. However, as a leader, who is elected by the people, the mayor may not depict adequate skills in the successful implementation of the water sustainability project. Moreover, due to the political superiority of the mayor, other members of the council may give up their duties in ensuring the project is completed successfully (Schragger, 2016). Another organizational challenge that may evolve in the water supply project is the relationship between key stakeholders and the water supply project. It is imperative to  note that the project key stakeholders must be involved in the decision making process, to counter various conflicts that may hinder or lag behind the water supply project. Due to the impending organizational challenges, there is a need for the mayor to adopt various leadership theories, to ensure the project is implemented successfully, within its stipulated constraints.

Leadership Theories

The Transformational Leadership Theory

The effective completion of the water supply system in City of Kelsey needs a strong stakeholder power base. On the contrary, constructing a powerful power base needs a knowledgeable and charismatic leader, to motivate the stakeholders, to ensure positive relationships, for positive project outcomes. The mayor can, therefore, adopt the transformational leadership theory, to advocate change in the city. Avolio & Yammarino, (2013) identify effective leaders to be those who develop empathy towards others for positive changes in the organization. Through the transformational leadership strategy, the mayor will be able to identify the needs of the stakeholders, by seeking their opinions regarding the project. Moreover, According to Chemers, (2014), the transformational leadership theory will enhance the leader’s motivational skills, to promote stakeholder performance, towards positive outcomes.

The Path-Goal Theory

The path-goal theory advocates for the satisfaction and empowerment of employees, so that they may become effective in the organization. According to Northouse, (2013), the path-goal theory is important since it offers a theoretical structure for understanding how different leadership behaviors affect work performances. Moreover, the theory integrates the expectancy and leadership theories, for enhanced performances. Fundamentally, the expectancy theory advocates for personal motivation for enhanced performances (Northouse, 2013). The water supply system in the City of Keysel will involve various interruptions in the stakeholders’s routine. For instance, sales taxes will be increased to finance the project. Although with a small percentage, there is a need for the mayor to empower the stakeholders on the speculated positive outcomes, if the project is completed successfully. The mayor will, therefore, adopt the path-goal leadership theory, to understand the stakeholders, and know the best motivational strategies, to enhance their performance. Moreover, through the path-goal theory, the mayor will adopt the participative leadership style, which allows for stakeholders’ voice to promote acceptance and creativity, for the successful implementation of the water sustainability plan in the City of Kelsey.

Conclusion

The prevalent population growth in the City of Kelsey has forced the government to implement strategies, to ensure a sustainable water supply in the city. Due to the mayor-council structure adopted in the city, the mayor has been appointed to act as the people’s leader, in ensuring their needs are met. Although it is imperative to note that the mayor-council structure is not the best management style, in the implementation of the water supply project in the City of Kelsey, due to the ineffective working relationship between the mayor and council members, there is a need for the mayor to adopt the transformational and path-theory leadership theories, to understand the needs of the stakeholders, and implement effective motivational strategies, for enhanced project performances.