The Impact of Culture on Cross-cultural Leadership Communication

The Four Major Leadership Styles that Influence Leader Follower

The Essence of Succession Planning in Small and Medium Ghanaian Corporate Firms

Keyword: Organizational design, organizational redesign, leadership, strategy, change, transformation, non-profit.

Exploring the Strategies Needed for Redesigning Non-profit Organizations Ready

This article seeks to encourage a culture of innovation and creativity among Ghanaian and African business leaders and their organizations. This rationale is pursued through the following: 1) a presentation of the need for innovation and creativity among Ghanaian and African leaders and their organizations; 2) a redefinition of the terms “innovation and creativity” in organizations; 3) perceived barriers to innovation and creativity among Ghanaian and African Leaders and businesses; 4) a candid view of how Ghanaian and African leaders can promote innovation and creativity within their organizations; and 5) five practical steps towards developing a culture of innovation and creativity among Ghanaian leaders and their organizations.

Keywords: Organizational Leadership, Creativity, Innovation, Organizations, Businesses, Africa, Ghana.

Encouraging Creativity and Innovation among Ghanaian and African Leaders and Organizations

]]> http://www.theokanteygroup.com/2012/05/encouraging-creativity-and-innovation-among-ghanaian-and-african-leaders-and-organization/feed/ 0 http://www.theokanteygroup.com/2011/12/leadership-and-change-in-todays-organizations-examining-the-necessary-qualities-for-leading-change-in-todays-organizations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=leadership-and-change-in-todays-organizations-examining-the-necessary-qualities-for-leading-change-in-todays-organizations http://www.theokanteygroup.com/2011/12/leadership-and-change-in-todays-organizations-examining-the-necessary-qualities-for-leading-change-in-todays-organizations/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:47:04 +0000 Peter Carlos Okantey http://www.theokanteygroup.com/?p=1852 Abstract
With the current economic downturn and needed adjustments by most sectors of the economy, the subject of change has become a significant topic within organizations. From restructuring to re-engineering, layoffs to hiring freezes, leaders are called upon to lead in a way that will enhance the success of their organizations despite overpowering obstacles. This article defines change and submits practical and realistic leadership qualities and strategies leaders can adopt in today’s organizations during a change process.
Key Words: Change, corporation, communication, economy, organizations, people, followers, restructuring, re-engineering, vision, strategy.

Leading Change

“Developing Leaders In Africa

And Across The World”

About Global Imagination

Global Imagination (GI) is an online publication dedicated to developing and encouraging leaders across the African continent. Global Imagination envisions and supports purpose-driven organizations whose leaders:

• Inspire a shared vision,
• Foster collaboration
• Encourage imagination, innovation and initiative
• Exist in organizations that are ultimately profitable and resilient.

GI is seeking:

• Articles that help leaders transition from theory to practice.
• Articles grounded in practical experience.
• Articles that are well researched, well expressed and concise, using a voice that reflects experience, command of the subject, compassion, and clarity of thought.

GI does not allow:  Articles that promote specific businesses or individuals, nor recommend services.

GI serves as an on-line resource for students, leaders, executives and practitioners of organizational leadership in non-profit and for-profit organizations.

The publication calendar, journal content and editorial cycle are managed by the Global Imagination editorial board.

Editor

Peter Carlos Okantey

Peter is the CEO of The Okantey Group Inc; a professional leadership training and consultancy firm located in Portland, Oregon. Peter has over 10 years of experience working in Ghana and the United States for both non-profit and for-profit organizations. He holds a teacher’s certificate and diploma in Public Administration from Ghana, West Africa, as well as, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Master’s Degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from Warner Pacific College.  He is currently pursing a doctoral degree in Strategic Leadership at Regent University. He also has extensive experience working in the non-profit industry founding the Naa Amerley Palm Education (NAPE) Foundation; a non-profit organization dedicated to providing higher educational opportunities to Ghanaians through scholarships and the development and founding of Palm University in Ghana.  Peter serves an adjunct professor at the School of Business Administration at Portland State University. He speaks at universities and conferences and consults for businesses in the USA and in Ghana. His interests include organizational design and development, one-on-one coaching and mentoring, and organizing seminars and conferences to train and develop leaders.

Submission Guidelines

Before submitting a manuscript, please consult the Publication Calendar. To have a featured article considered for publication by Global Imagination, please submit a proposal as described below.

Manuscripts should be submitted in Word.doc (or Word.docx) format as an email attachment to info@theokanteygroup.com. Please put the words “Manuscript Proposal” in the subject line. We will acknowledge the receipt of your submission via email when allocated to reviewers. The designated editor may work with the author to rewrite or change passages in your article to improve the overall understanding.

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Format

• The manuscript (including references) must conform to to the styles guidelines of this publication (exceptions are made for Global Imagination Conference papers).
• All attributes should be done as endnotes.
• The document should be double-spaced in Times New Roman/Arial  font with one-inch margins.
• Include mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of the authors on the title page.
• The submission should have all tables, figures, and references attached as one file.

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About the Manuscript

Manuscripts submitted for publication must have a LEADERSHIP focus.

Word Counts

For feature articles, please submit a brief summary of your article in 200 words or fewer.

Please acknowledge previously published materials used in the article and provide a copyright release for photographs, tables, charts or graphs used.  Include a declaration that the manuscript is original and is not under review at any other journal or magazine.

About the Author

If your article is accepted for publication, download and complete our “Permission to Publish Form.”  Send us a concise author’s biography including name, title, organization, and email address.  When there are multiple authors, kindly identify the lead author. Briefly describe any relevant special studies or previous work.

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About the Contents

In your abstract, please discuss how your submission will help readers to become better leaders. What is the overall purpose of your article and how can it be used, practically speaking, to implement leadership goals in Ghana, Africa and around the globe?

Could your article have further reaching uses besides our publication? Please tell us about possible opportunities.

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Schedule and Timing

Global Imagination is published quarterly. Please observe deadlines.

Publication Calendar 2010-2011

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Permission To Publish

Please click on the following link to download our Permission To Publish Form.

Subscribe to Global Imagination

To receive updates about GI or to request articles, please subscribe below.-

Note: To unsubscribe, please send a detailed email to info@theokanteygroup.com. Please include your name and the reason for canceling your subscription.

About

The purpose of the iLeadership360 Degree Series is to facilitate the development of holistic organizational leaders who are capable of leading themselves, colleagues, followers and the organization as a whole. The seminar topics are carefully chosen to enhance the equipment of leaders at all levels of an organization. Every leader will be equipped to perform at the end of the each of the seminar series.

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The Dynamics and Roles of a Leader

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Seminar One

Why Leadership? Holistic Leadership Defined

By carefully analyzing leadership theories and attributes as well as providing room for practical applications, this seminar provides a solid foundation for leaders in identifying personal and individual traits/styles and discovering the most effective style of leadership with the organizational setting.

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Seminar Two

Preparation for the Journey: Leadership & Personal Triumphs

This seminar aims to promote and enhance the self-development and success of the individual leader in order for him/her to effectively pursue life and workplace related challenges as well as communicate them to fellow colleagues and staff to enhance organizational success.

Seminar Three

When Heart & Mind Collide: Leadership & Emotional Intelligence

Dealing with the intricacies of assessing and managing the emotions of one’s self and other groups is a vital skill in any organizational setting. This seminar illustrates the importance of constructively developing this notion in order to spearhead leadership performance in and out of the workplace.

Seminar Four

The Confluence of Strategy & Imagination: Visionary Leadership

This seminar is designed to prepare a leader to develop and implement dynamic and strategic vision statements that enhance organizational change for performance. The activity worksheets facilitate the process of providing the necessary tools needed to be a high-achieving and visionary leader.

Seminar Five

Leadership & Organizational Design & Development

This seminar is instrumental for re-designing an organization for  performance and success  for  local and international enterprises.  Both  new and experienced leaders will participate in several activities focusing on planning and expanding their organizations utilizing relevant steps and models.

Seminar Six

The Art & Science of Decision-Making: Leadership & Decision Making

The ability to make timely and informed decisions is a fundamental skill that any leader must possesses in his arsenal. The goal of this seminar is to highlight the impacts of valuable decision-making skills in the organizational setting and facilitate practical and realistic steps to achieve this.

Seminar Seven

The Core of Effective Communication: Leadership & Communication

Effective communication is the means by which a vision becomes a reality, especially in an organizational setting. This seminar emphasizes the development of appropriate media for effective communication to assist in achieving set goals and objectives.

Seminar Eight

The Art of Followership: Leadership-Followership Alignment

Leaders and followers must work in synergy to meet and exceed set goals and objectives. This seminar prepares leaders to receive insight from their followers, gain buy-ins for set projects and maximize productivity within their organizations.

Leading Others

Seminar Nine

Leadership, Mentoring, & Coaching

Support systems like mentoring and coaching programs have been shown to provide additional benefits to organizations.  This seminar will facilitate the development of such programs and equip leaders with the ability to effectively promote mentor-mentee relationships and retain new potential leaders.

Seminar Ten

Everyday Team Building: Leadership & Team Building

There is no “I” in team. The importance of a good and highly functional team can never be underestimated. Different types of team building activities and their relevance to assigned projects will be discussed.  This seminar will also assist leaders in identifying the challenges teams face and the steps needed to conquer them.

The Dimensions of Leadership

Seminar Eleven

Leadership & Change

All organizations have to adapt to dynamic environments.  In this regard, this seminar prepares participants for the necessary steps to take to lead and implement successful changes and transitions within the organizational setting.

Seminar Twelve

The Disappearing Act of Critical Thinking: Leadership & Critical Thinking

Why do organizations need leaders to think critically? What is critical thinking about? This seminar stimulates the critical and analytical thinking capacities of each leader to develop critical thinking skills for strategic decision making in an organizational setting.

Seminar Thirteen

Business Without Borders: Leadership & Diversity in a Global Economy

As the world becomes more globalized, different individuals, cultures and beliefs must increasingly interact and coexist with each other. This integration provides the setting for very diverse communities and workplaces. This seminar is designed to equip leaders with the necessary skills and tools they need to be effective and efficient in working with a diverse workforce and customer base.

Seminar Fourteen

The World is Grey: Leadership & Ethics

Ethics are imperative to leading a thriving organization.  This seminar analyzes the principles of ethical leadership and exposes leaders to current ethical theories and relevant values necessary to create ethical organizations.

Seminar Fifteen

Leadership & the Future

The future of the workforce is variant, technology filled, and more diverse than ever before. This session will address how leaders can become aware of the changing multi-generational landscape and the direction of workplace norms and trends, to maximize the opportunities and potential of the future workplace.

Contact us for more information

1. Create the Path

Nothing can happen without leadership.  The success of an organization begins and ends with the right leadership. True leaders model their values and what they stand for.  This allows followers to pursue short and long-term goals alongside. Leaders who set the right pace achieve the desired result for their organization.

2. Create a Shared Vision

Most leaders emerge with a vision for their organization. Successful leaders work to inspire and motivate their followers to buy-in to their vision to enhance its realization. Follower buy-in is significant to the success of every organization. Clear and concise channels of communication leads to follower buy-in. Individuals will follow if they have a clear understanding of the direction the leader is headed.  Leaders who fail to clearly communicate their vision have difficulty implementing their ideas.

3. Create the Process

True leaders develop specific steps needed to realize a desired future and vision within the organizational setting.  Successful leaders create the right atmosphere for their followers to succeed by providing the required tools and resources to enhance individual performance.

4. Create Leaders

Successful leaders work towards empowering others to develop into leadership positions. They identify opportunities and provide the needed support to augment their growth. Leaders have a succession plan for their organization and therefore pass on what they have learned to prepare others for a higher calling.

5. Create the Future

Triumphant leaders are imaginative with a clear mental picture of the future. They have the ability to put the needed structures in place for their followers to work towards the end goal. The power of imagination facilitates leadership success in times of challenges because the leader is able to foresee beyond the current situation to behold a promising future.  The leader then visibly communicates this promising future. Successful leaders are able to create hope and a future. This can only take place with a vivid imagination.