This section defined a number of basic terms used in this module. These terms will be highlighted throughout the module, allowing you to rollover the term to see the definition.

Leader:

Top-level leaders create the direction of the organization and motivate their staff to want to achieve the vision, mission, and goals of the organization. However, people of any level or occupation within an organization are leaders when, through their actions, ideas, and values, they inspire others to innovate and perform at a level that realizes outstanding outcomes beyond those required to simply comply with or meet standing organizational or system procedures. Leaders of all levels have different responsibilities, but how they influence those around them is most important in changing organizational culture.

Managers:

People at or near the top of the organization who are responsible for the entire agency.¹

Mission:

The articulation of an organization's or system's purpose, what makes it unique, and what it will do on a day-by-day basis to strive toward the previously developed shared vision.

Organizational culture:

Prevailing assumptions, values, and norms that characterize the management and personal interactive processes that occur in the day-to-day operation of the organization.²

Organizational Development:

An approach to the management and leadership of organizations that recognizes the importance of human interpersonal processes, as well as formal structure and content as important and legitimate subject matter to be examined and evaluated in the context of common, agreed upon goals.³

Transformational leadership:

The ability to motivate followers to work for transcendental goals that go beyond immediate self interests. Transformational leaders rely on vision, charisma, and the ability to build professional, communicative relationships with stakeholders.⁴

Vision:

The development, transmission, and implementation of an image of a desirable future.⁵

¹ Richard L. Phillips and Charles R. McConnell, The Effective Corrections Manager: Correctional Supervision for the Future (Boston: Jones and Bartless Publishers, 2005), 40.

² Herman, “What Is This Thing Called Organization Development?”

³ Ibid.

⁴ Human Resource Training and Individual Development (Broad Graduate School of Management, Michigan State University, 2004), http://www.studies-online.org/MGT413/Notes/Leadership.ppt#267,9,Transformational Leadership.

⁵ Manasse, “Vision and Leadership.”