One of the problems in managing an organization especially in school is lack of effective and efficient leaders.
Effective leaders differ from efficient leaders. Effective leaders know how to balance what is necessary to get the job done well. They focus on the desired result. In addition, effective leaders value working together toward common goals. They are not doing it grudgingly-they prefer it.
In contrast, efficient leaders know what is best for immediate results. It means getting a specific task done in the quickest and simplest way possible, no matter how the impact is created.
As mentioned on the above statement, effective leader is not the same as efficient leader. Efficiency requires the use of time, money and effort appropriately to achieve the desired goal. On the other hand, effectiveness includes the content, methodology, organizational, and arrangement. The latter involves the realization of the desired objectives wherein the arrangement of time, space and staff contribute to the attainment of the objectives.
To be more equipped about the distinction between effective and efficient leaders, here are the lists of their differences:
To be an effective leader, one must possess the following skills: a.)resource provider– a leader should give an accurate information to her or his subordinates, and share opportunities in terms of attending the seminar, workshop, and trainings. In line with this, she or he provides professional development among her or his colleagues. Moreover, an effective leader must be updated to current events, issues, and trends in education, since, she or he is the source of information or the so called ‘’resource provider’’; b.) as a communicator– An effective leader must know how to communicate well or interact with her or his colleagues. This is one of the most important skills that a leader must possess-to unite the organization; c.) being a visible leader– means that you have the commitment to living and breathing a vision of success in the whole organization. You are not merely responsible for planning, instead, you need to be regularly in the school to monitor and evaluate if plans are properly implemented.
On the contrary, efficient leader must focus on doing one’s work in the correct manner, seeks to avoid failure and reacts to changes using adequate time. Meaning, if a particular means is both appropriate and valid but requires too much time, then it does not meet the criterion of efficiency.
Furthermore, in order to run organizations at optimal effectiveness, leaders need to monitor themselves and others for risks factors, and use effective behaviour rather than efficiency as a standard operating procedure. Yet, both qualities must be observed and practiced by a leader. Doing so makes a more viable work environment that yields better results.
By: Mariane Faith C. Reyes | T-III | Mariveles National High School – Cabcaben ANNEX 2, Batangas II
