Nascent Leadership Behaviors

Abstract

This paper is a compendium of leadership behaviors that emerging or aspirant leaders could choose to enhance their management and leadership skills. These behaviors were drawn directly from the experience of the authors, both of whom have held senior leadership and management positions in business, law, and higher education. This paper is an outgrowth of more than a decade of experience in teaching leadership in graduate MBA programs and in undergraduate business policy and strategy capstone courses. MBA programs typically have a dedicated course on leadership and undergraduate capstone courses focus on leadership, business policy and strategy. Normally course material is presented through case studies, readings and lectures on leadership and leadership theory. Most, although not all, students have limited or no management experience and they hope to advance their management and leadership skills which they believe should in turn result in their career success. During our years of teaching leadership, many students asked the authors about specific leadership actions they could utilize in their nascent business careers. The material presented in this paper is oriented towards practical and actionable steps that the aspiring leader can decide to apply with the caveat that common sense and sensitivity to the individual circumstances will vary greatly. However, sooner or later the right time to distinguish oneself will surely occur and that the behaviors presented in this paper can be of value to entry and junior level managers.