The Accidental Leader By Simone Lee

Have you ever found yourself in a position where you have stumbled into a leadership role without expecting to do so? My journey as a leading trichologist and international film hair and makeup head of department occurred precisely in such circumstances. I became an “accidental leader, with all the “titles” and sudden responsibility heaped onto an already heavy workload and very little support from those who hired me.

Upon critical reflection relating to what had shaped my career and ultimately what almost suffocated it, I recognized that I was an accidental leader for most of my working life. I hustled and “faked it till I made it”, just like thousands of other “accidental leaders have done in the past”, which ultimately only took my journey so far. Accidental leaders typically excel in their practical skillsets but often struggle with the pressures of Leadership. After years of career and business highs and lows I embarked on a competition for A Master’s degree in Leadership and, today, A Doctoral degree.

So, what should those who lead do? Plan as much as possible? Leaders main tasks involve planning and executing ideas and strategies and utilizing people who have the necessary skills to achieve the plan’s outcomes. For the accidental leader, this can be very tough. They may not have the leadership skills to people manage; therefore, accidental leaders need to apply focus to understanding human behaviour management through using and practising appropriate leadership styles. Leaders who use proficient leadership styles can positively influence employee behaviour. Salon leaders who mentor their staff to develop interpersonal, technical, and business skills keep their employees committed through using leadership behaviours that build a culture of trust and respect for the leader and the work environment.

There are many types of leadership styles, and all have their pros and cons. One of the most popular is - transformational Leadership. Transformative Leadership is a system where leaders use four fundamental behavioural techniques: charisma, inspirational motivation, individual consideration and intellectual stimulation to achieve organizational success (Balwant 2016, p. 22).

The Pros of Transformative Leader Behaviours and In-Salon Practice

Charisma

Long et al. (2016) conceptualized charisma as an idealized influence used in the workplace. Salon employees use charisma appeal at a micro level to increase guest salon visits and commitment. Salon leaders with charisma exude charm and power while earning the trust of team members who will take risks to reach desired tasks or goals.

Inspirational Motivation

Nging (2015, p.11) explains Transformative Leadership as ‘a process in which a visionary leader inspires followers to achieve more significant results than may be otherwise possible.’ Salon owners should motivate and instill self-confidence in their staff so that they can successfully apply artistic and technical processes to meet customer expectations and achieve organizational growth.

Individualized Consideration

This dimension of transformative Leadership is the value and attention a leader places upon fulfilling employees’ needs, expectations, and requirements (Long et al., 2016). Valuing and fostering employee talents can help salon owners retain their staff and avoid losing them to competitors.

Intellectual Stimulation For Task Achievement

Transformational leaders help to inspire, motivate, and stimulate their team members to improve, learn, and grow (Burns 1978, p. 20). Hairstylists must continually evolve their skills and practices to provide superior customer service by creating new ways to serve their guests better. In hair salons’ highly competitive commercial world, having excellent customer relations is the most critical aspect of achieving guest retention and salon sustainability. Transformational leaders display appreciation and consideration when communicating with followers (Gupta & Mathew 2015). Practical communication skills assist to grow team productivity and hair salon profitability. It is more costly and less profitable to attract new business than to look after existing clientele (Colgate & Danaher 2000). Effective communication between hairstylists and their clients is essential for building and maintaining relationships. Salon owners and hairstylists can benefit from transformative leader communication and behavioural methods, which Khan (2012, p. 108) emphasizes creates continuity of service relations between the customer and organization.

Potential Problems with Transformational Leadership

Transformational Leadership could also pose problems within a salon work environment. According to Avolio and Howell (1992, p. 44), an excellent transformational leader’s skills may also lead to unethical behaviours. A highly persuasive, the captivating transformational leader could influence followers to make the wrong choices (Yukl 1998). The Australian hairdressing workforce employs a large quantity of young people. Salon owners work closely with young staff, hypothetically directors could make trainees feel a part of the team quickly through continuously communicating their dreams, goals, and visions. Trainees could develop a sense of obligation to work overtime and undertake hours of exterior unpaid professional training, going beyond their general employment duties to help their leader reach their goals and staff might potentially feel like they are being taken advantage of, causing them to leave the profession before their training is complete.

Transformational leadership style can provide excellent leadership processes suitable for hair salon application. However, when considering what type of leadership style to use as a leader and how to mitigate the perils of being an “accidental leader”, analysis of how to style’s shortfalls could affect the stakeholders of individual salon organizations should be applied.

Through sharing what I have learnt through the study of Leadership, I hope promote the importance of how leadership styles can be applied to influence followers to produce excellent results in varied work situations while simultaneously enhancing employee professional growth and job satisfaction.

Understanding what and why something is happening, what the appropriate response or reaction should be, and how to communicate effectively with followers and leaders are leadership abilities I seek to improve. Driving the continuum of my evolving role as a leader and realizing my vision to serve, grow, and inspire others through authentic standards motivates me to improve my leadership skills and become the best leader I can be.

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