Achieving Succession Management through the Identification and Positioning of Organizational Leaders Using Leadership Effectiveness Evaluation Tools

Abstract

AbstractObjectives/Scope: The objective of this paper is to lay emphasis and sensitize organizations on the need to include leadership traits and skills assessment as a critical part of the recruitment process for the supervisors’ cadre; and to show that leadership traits and skills are important for people development, and succession management, using the result of a pilot study on leadership evaluation.Methods, Procedures, Process: Through the application of quantitative and qualitative methods, leadership assessment of supervisors was obtained through their subordinates composed of trainees, local and expatriates employees of an organization in the UAE. A semi-structured survey questionnaires and interviews were administered on participants after obtaining the necessary approvals for the pilot study. The sample populations were made-up of 40 employees who were below the rank of team leaders. The questionnaires were designed both in English and Arabic Languages respectively. Questions to ascertain leadership behaviors were given to participants and the answers ranked on a Linkert scale of 1 to 5, where 1 and 5 represents extreme values of strongly disagree and strongly agree respectively. The questionnaires provided the quantitative data, while results from the interview provided the qualitative data. The composition of the participants included, technical, non-technical and human-resource department employees.Results, Observation, Conclusion: The results revealed that leadership traits and skills are not regarded as part of main issues considered during recruitment processes and placement processes for supervisory positions. Recruitment processes for new entrants seem to focus more on technical competencies and less focus on leadership skills. There were those who possessed the leadership traits, and also those who lacked the traits needed to coach and develop future organizational leaders; especially, in an environment where societal culture has a huge influence on people. This paper recommends a continuous evaluation of effective leadership traits of supervisors at all levels in order to ensure that the right organizational habits are passed-on-to subordinates. Finally, this paper advocates for a detailed study to ascertain how leadership behaviors correlates with subordinates performances in an environment where social culture has a huge influence and how they can intermingle to enhance organizational efficiency.Novel/Additive Information: The outcome of this paper will assist organizations especially those in the Gulf Region to develop the right tools for their recruitment processes. It will also assist them in developing an effective leadership trait assessment process which will enable them identify the right persons deserving leadership positions.