Download effect symbolic language leaders on emotions of employees

I International Symposium Engineering Management And Competitiveness 2011 (EMC2011)
June 24-25, 2011, Zrenjanin, Serbia
EFFECT SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE LEADERS ON EMOTIONS OF
EMPLOYEES
dr Snezana Mihajlov*
Higher School of Professional Studies – Blace
[email protected]
Nenad Mihajlov
Higher School of Professional Studies – Blace
ABSTRACT
Formulating and articulating a vision assumes one of the basic techniques of leadership in inspiring
followers. However, it is not enough to simply state where the organization is located in the future or what
are its global aspirations. Rhetorical skills of leader and symbolic content of his message, as opposed to just
defining organizational goals and standards, exercised a strong influence over its followers. Communication
of positive messages and encouragement that spreads enthusiasm and optimism in the ability to fulfill the
goals of the organization, the leader actually express strong confidence in the knowledge and skills of their
employees. See others as good, capable and persistent and it communicate to them encourages a strong sense
of self confidence and self esteem. Pleasant emotions that employees feel not only toward the outside world,
but also to contribute to greater self-motivation, self-efficacy and ultimately achieving organizational goals.
Key words: leadership, transformational leadership, inspirational communication, motivation of followers,
emotions.
1. INTRODUCTION
The leadership has written many articles and given many definitions, but often not very clear and
precise use of the term. Leadership and management of many perceived as synonyms, and so they
represent. If the leadership means initiative, a major role, precedence, the concept of management
could not be equated with the concept of leadership. Instead of a formal position in an organization
as the characteristics of managers, the leadership is a behavior and relationships, the characteristics
and strengths of personality, on the impact. In some definitions the emphasis is on leadership as a
center of the group process, are highlighted in other personality traits, behavior in third, fourth
relations of power, the fifth aspect of the craft, then leadership as a transformational process, and so
on. However, for most by a perception that the leadership can be defined as a person's ability to
influence other people so that they cooperate and contribute to efforts aimed at achieving the
objectives of the organization.
Northouse (Northouse, 2010) points out that the definition of leadership bit the following elements:
a) leadership is a process,
b) leadership is exercised influence,
c) leadership occurs in the context of the group,
d) assumed leadership in achieving the goal.
Based on these elements can be derived the following definition: Leadership is a process in which
one realizes the impact on the group to achieve a common goal. The point is, therefore, the impact
of leaders on followers, with a more common sense of purpose or objective of this influence. The
leader has to itself, but in interaction with the group so that it accepts and follows the group in
achieving goals. The new paradigm of leadership as the concept of transformational leadership has
recognized the important role that the leader accepts. An individual is considered a
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transformational leader to the degree to which exerts its influence on attitudes and behavior, and
development of followers as a whole, enabling them to participate in the transformation of the
organization. Consequently, the final results of changes in individuals are referred to as
performance indicators of transformational leadership. The aim is achieved by the general consent
of the organizations goals and ways of their implementation, creating enthusiasm and optimism in
the organization, as well as cooperation and trust among all, by encouraging flexibility in decision
making, establishing and maintaining a meaningful identity of the organization.Transformational
leader who has adapted to contemporary business is focused on the organizational vision that
realizes mobilization and synchronization of emotional energy associates. Practice has shown that
transformational leadership style effective long term because of the prevailing emotional
component that creates a strong bond between leaders and followers. The dominance of emotional
skills leaders in relation to the cognitive capacity to recognize the behaviors: idealized influence
over its followers, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized approach to
members of the organization.
Thanks to its first self-confidence and personal charisma, respect of business and high moral
standards, as expressed responsibility for their own actions, respect for the achievements of
associates, transformational leaders receive boundless trust and respect from those they lead.
Become a role model to his followers in everything they do, encouraging in them a strong sense of
pride in belonging to the organization.Motivation and inspiration and mobilization of their own
positive emotions transformational leaders encourage followers to action, activating them
motivational element to work constantly achieve more than the set targets. Emotional connection,
rather than co-operation based on the material forms of stimulation, the followers are much more
easily directed towards the realization of organizational vision. The driving force in the form of
emotions that can be transmitted through verbal or nonverbal is an important prerequisite
motivation of self and others. Transformational leadership affects followers including the
development of creative and intelligent thinking. Positive organizational climate influence on
creativity and different thinking, and followers are able to accumulate new ideas, creating
innovative and competitive solutions for the organization. Respect for individuals through an
individual approach to each of them, acceptance and appreciation of their abilities and
achievements, the main feature of transformational leadership. Strong communications skills,
leadership, adaptability, and empathy are preconditions for understanding the behavior of their
associates, which is considered inevitable for their orientation towards the achievement of
organizational goals. Focusing exclusively on the skills of transformational leaders to motivate and
inspire followers, the paper will be presented to the leaders of communication skills which are nice
organizational climate and encourage positive feelings among followers that contribute to
achieving the strategic goals of the organization.
2. INSPIRATIONAL MOTIVATION TRANSFORMATION LEADERS
Inspirational motivation transformational leadership refers to the fact the communication ability of
a leader in defining and articulating the strategic orientation of organizations in the future. The
creator of transformational leadership approaches, Bass (Bass, 1985), inspirational motivation
defined as the ability of transformational leaders to motivate and inspire followers at the same time
respecting their knowledge and skills ... Transformational leader spreading enthusiasm and
optimism about a possible meeting the goals of the organization, demonstrates commitment to
goals and shared vision, eventually involving followers in predicting the future state of stating
expectations that want to meet "(Hinkin, Tracey, 1999, p.110).
The definition of inspirational motivation suggests Bass attempt to summarize the three important
roles of leaders. In the first place leader provides the strategic direction of the organization. Second,
communication of positive messages and encouragement that spreads enthusiasm and optimism in
the ability to fulfill the goals of the organization, the leader expressed strong confidence in the
knowledge and skills of their employees, which affects their self-perception (sense of self-
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confidence, self-evaluation) and self-efficacy (Shamir, House, Arthur, 1993) . Finally the leader
creates a sense of collective identity among employees. Interests, values and beliefs of employees,
on the one hand and the activities, goals and ideology of the leaders of the other become congruent
and complementary. The main goal of leaders is to involve employees in the prediction of a
common future. All three roles within the transformational leadership inspirational motivation are
concentrated around the vision and its formulation and it is a basic technology leader in inspiring
his followers (Awamleh, Gardner, 1999).
The concept of vision and the manner of its articulation is also a fundamental idea of visionary
leadership. House and Shamir (House, Shamir, 1993) viewed transformational and visionary
leadership as essentially the same models, because they emphasize the strong influence of the
symbolic leader behavior on followers' emotional states and encouraging their motivation. The
term "inspired" Yukl (Yukl, 1981) even explained as "the degree to which communication with the
followers of the leader stimulates enthusiasm among them and expressed confidence in the ability
to achieve common objectives." Inspirational motivation transformational leaders assumed, in
accordance with the above, the ability of a leader to inspire and motivate followers to achieve
organizational vision just communicating feelings of optimism and enthusiasm, and strong
confidence in the abilities of their followers. Despite Bass (Bass, 1985) belief in the concept of
inspirational motivation unidimensionality transformational leadership, the results of a number of
studies confirm that the leader of communications organizational vision based on two elements,
and the different effects of exercise on the behavior of followers. The analysis of statements used in
the evaluation of followers inspirational motivation transformational leaders (Hinkin, Tracey,
1999), reveals the use of a number of messages ("vision", "expectations", "standard",
"performance") leader said that the final goals of the organization, standards or results. The socalled concept-based communication according to which only the leader instructs followers, and
said the final goals or standards to ensure the strategic orientation of organizations in the future
affect only the intellect, inspiring followers second element of communication is based on the
symbolic language of leadership that encourages a strong feeling among the followers. Imagebased communications leader involves actually symbolic, figurative use of words that create clear
ideas, visions and images in the minds of followers (Densten, 2002).
A conceptual framework for understanding communication leader in the inspiration and motivation
of followers represent Conger (Conger, 1991) "language of leadership" based on different
categories of communication skills of leaders. One category assumes a process of defining the
purpose or goal of the organization in a significant way, while others suggest the ability of the
leaders in the use of symbolic language and emotional security forces with their messages. Also, as
an attempt of interpretation inspirational communication leaders serve motivational theory of
language (Sullivan, 1988), which the existing theories of motivation expanded to include other
motivational functions of communication leaders. According to one of them, ignored in existing
theories, the motivation of followers is achieve the ability leaders to communicate their own
confidence in the completeness and importance of the tasks associated with the followers
(meaning-making language).
3. SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE LEADERS
"The language of leadership" (Conger, 1991) includes two separate categories of communication
ability of a leader in inspiring followers. The first category assumes the ability of the leaders in
defining and formulating a vision for the organization. That is the message that emphasizes the
meaning of the leaders of the future direction of the organization. In creating the framework for the
organizational vision, values and beliefs are essential components, particularly those that reinforce
commitment and provide guidance for daily action. Values are the goals that the organization wants
to achieve in the future, while beliefs on the other ideas that are related to those factors that support
or prevent the concrete actions to achieve desired conditions. The vision is the future strategic
objective of the organization whose importance and needs of the organization to encourage the
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efficient implementation of the road to success. Accordingly, the formulation of a "frame", says
Conger, a leader's interpretation of the aims and objectives of the organization accompanied with
the values and beliefs, it is a good chance of motivation and a convincing leader appealing to the
changes and transformations in the organization. In other words, formulating a vision and set a
"framework" for achieving future goals refers to the ability of the leaders in the reduction of the
uncertain future of the organization. The ability of leaders in the use of symbolic language
represents a different process of communication in management. By Conger, it is a "rhetorical
skills" leader. While the message leaders provide a sense (meaning) of the new direction of the
organization in the future, the rhetoric intensifies its motivational appeal and determine the
importance of the impact of these appeals to everyday decision-making in the organization.
Emphasizes the importance of symbolic words when inspiration follower in relation to the process
of defining the future objectives of the organization. The author assumes that in addition to
appealing to the emotions and ideals, inspiring leaders use a variety of rhetorical techniques
(metaphors, analogies, organizational stories) which exercised a strong influence of the symbolic
content of their messages to followers. The power of metaphors and analogies derived from their
ability to promote and illustrate the experience of reality simultaneous attack on different feelings
the listener. Field of communication research suggests that the use of words in a special way
encourages the imagination of listeners and creates a state of permanent attention tone,
concentricity and ease of interaction. The listener is not a passive recipient of information, but by
interfacing their own situations and events from the stories constantly in a state of active thinking.
Social psychologists rhetorical technique adapted as convincing and effective means of
communicating ideas, for causing emotional connections with the speaker. Therefore, it is not
surprising as metaphors, slogans, analogies and other inspiring "tools" of symbolic language, the
ability to more clearly explain and encourage emotions in others, a key means of inspiring the
language in the speeches of political leaders. Motivational theory of language (Motivating
Language Theory, MLT; Sullivan, 1988) is based on the fundamental idea that communication is
the leader directly associated with significant results of the employees, including performance,
absenteeism, loyalty and job satisfaction. Theory predicts that the key results of employees under
the strong positive influence of the leader's motivational state induced by using three basic
linguistic groups. One kind of speech the leader reduces the uncertainty of followers in the future
and increases their awareness, other means of communication leader implicitly sense of selfevaluation among the followers. Creation of certain cognitive maps based on which determine
efficient behavior of followers is the essence of the third kind of verbal communication leaders.
Existing theories of motivation based solely on communication leaders that decreases the
uncertainty of followers in the future, expand the conscious use of symbolic language that
emphasizes the role of followers as a significant representative of organizational beliefs, values and
goals over time. In interaction with followers in a short informal talks, storytelling, using
metaphors, the leader points to the importance of the role assigned by the followers in the
organization, thus developing a mental map that govern their behavior at work. "The leader of the
unconscious uses this type of communication to inspire followers, but what a leader is to
consciously develop the ability to assume the role of" creator of importance, "says Sullivan.
4. INSPIRATIONAL COMMUNICATION LEADERS AND EMOTIONS OF EMPLOYEES
In accordance with "the language of leadership” and motivational theory of communication to other
factors, inspirational motivation (image-based communication) serve to motivate followers.
Symbolic language, rhetorical skills leader, or transfer messages by using stories, metaphors,
analogies, appeals to the emotions of followers, for mental images and emotions are closely linked
(Emrich, Brower, Feldman, Garland, 2001; Skinner, 1957). Words in communication with ease to
stimulate mental images have a greater intensity of emotional meaning. Individuals without express
stronger emotional responses to messages transmitted symbols. The statement says that the
messages and reported the symbolic language, the leaders encourage strong emotional reactions
among followers, increasing their willingness to embrace the vision.
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The motivation of followers is the core leader and inspirational communication can be defined as
the process of starting an activity aimed at achieving specific goals. The term motivation comes
from the latin word mover, move, motus, move. Similar to the root of the word emotion is from the
latin word emovere, move. Emotions run so the individual to a specific activity or they are
inhibited and passive (Milivojevic, 2007). Psychologists actually believe that the pleasant (positive)
sense signal to the outside world happened to something that suits the individual's values, desires,
or to how he imagines that the world should look like. At pleasant feelings, adaptive behavior of
individuals is one that tends to stabilize or to increase the external change that is the reason for such
feeling. In general, pleasant feelings are associated with the behavior of approaching or reacquisition of a stimulus situation that caused them. Pleasant feelings are associated with quality of
life, while unpleasant (negative) feelings associated with survival.
Motivate followers to achieve a given strategic objective of the organization in the future would be
as leader of this style of communication of vision that would immediately arouse pleasant
(positive) feelings between them. Using symbolic language leader's followers an opportunity to
bring ourselves into the future and understand that their potential would be in it. The optimistic
forecasts of the leaders in the success of joint forces, allows followers to create a positive image of
the outside world, but more importantly about them. Especially it relates to encourage feelings of
self-esteem and confidence, which ultimately lead to self-efficacy and motivation to achieve
organizational goals.
In the psychological literature states that believe in you, be confident and self assured means to feel
that feeling of what is called the confidence or self-confidence (Milivojevic, 2007). A person who
believes in himself is confident that a good, capable and persistent. As confidence in the second
and the confidence is a feeling directed towards the future or to the unknown. Confident a person
feels that he can achieve an important goal that has set itself and because it does not waste energy
in parallel with oneself, which normally is a person who doubts himself. Confident people are
focused on achieving goals and therefore have more power to achieve it. It is the realization of
goals that are special in that they are difficult or remote, those objectives which are close to the
border of the subject's power where it makes sense assertive when it comes to the important goal.
Self-confident person has a positive definition of themselves as self is seen as a good, capable and
steadfast. Self-esteem individual feels when he considers that a quality that I so highly. Self-esteem
is not a relationship to itself, but to only some aspects of being. Coopersmith (Coopersmith, 1967)
states that under this term implies the evaluation which the individual does not reflect the attitude /
acceptance of self, which indicates the degree of belief in their individual capacity, relevance,
effectiveness or value. According to Maslow's theory of motivation (Maslow, 1954), needs and
motivations of individuals are hierarchically organized into five levels, so you can meet the needs
of the lower level, there is a need to satisfy those with a higher level. At the fourth level is the need
for self-esteem, and consists of two components: the need for competence (the desire to be
adequate, the desire for achievement, power, independence, freedom) and the need for prestige
(desire for recognition, recognition, prestige, status, validity). These needs bring a pleasant feeling
of self-esteem, values, strengths and competencies.
They found that people self-confidence significantly affect their ability to achieve goals, and thus
the motivation (Vesic, 2009). Confidence of employee can achieve the goal of increasing his
motivation, and thus the likelihood that the target will be achieved. In contrast, research shows that
one of the reasons leading to the occurrence of mental disorders among employees incurred in the
workplace and reduce the motivation is associated with a sense of personal worth. Namely, it is
believed that problems arise when an individual for their work, not getting enough recognition,
because it diminishes his sense of personal worth (Cajringer, 2003).
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5. CONCLUSION
Internalized (saved) the leader's confidence is the basis for the development of what might be
called "trust yourself" or self-confidence of followers. Transformational leader has the ability to
motivate followers to achieve organizational vision. Encourage feelings of optimism and
enthusiasm leads to survival pleasant feelings among followers, because we believe in mutual
success. Inspirational motivation of the leaders in this regard can be seen only as the application of
communication skills that affect the emotions of followers. This means that the communication of
vision to be reduced to the use of words such as rhetorical techniques, stories, metaphors create
enthusiasm and excitement among followers. It is not enough to expose where the organization is
located in the future or what are its global aspirations. The concrete representation of the object is
only driving force for activities directed towards its achievement. The vision must be clear and
colorful, it is the future driving force has a duty to convey the importance of the potential role of
followers, and that fosters a motivational process that will help them to identify with something
that can be achieved. Communication of organizational vision must confirm the leader's confidence
in the ability, responsibility and perseverance of its associates, from which to build confidence in
them and confirm personal value. In this respect, motivate employees clearly put before the leaders
of the task of successful implementation of a transformational model of behavior in which positive
emotions, express enthusiasm and optimism in the mutual success occupy a dominant position.
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