Theories of leadership

Theories of Leadership
Gregory S. Waddell, DSL
Mid-South Christian College

Copyright © 2008 Gregory S. Waddell

Leadership . . .

A subject that provokes many questions.


Important Questions
• Why do some leaders inspire?
• How do some leaders create empires?
• How can some losers come to occupy places of
great power?
• Why do some followers suddenly reject their
leaders?
• Why are some followers willing to give their lives
for the leader?


Definitions of Leadership


Definitions

“Directing the activities of a group toward a
shared goal"

J. K. Hemphill, "Relations Between the Size of the Group & the Behavior of
'Superior' Leaders," Journal of Social Psychology 32 (1957): 7.


Definitions

“The process of influencing the activities of an
organized group toward goal achievement"

C. F. Rauch and O. Behling, "Functionalism: Basis for an alternate approach to the
study of leadership," in Leaders & Managers: International Perspectives on
Managerial Behavior & Leadership, eds. J. G. Hunt, D. M. Hosking, C. A.
Schriesheim and R. Stewart (Elmsford, NY: Pergamon, 1984), p. 46.


Definitions

“The ability to step outside the culture . . . to
start evolutionary change processes that are
more adaptive"

Edgar H. Schein, Organizational Culture & Leadership. 2nd ed. (San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass, 1992), p. 4.


Definitions

“The process of making sense of what people
are doing together so that people will
understand and be committed"

W. H. Drath and C. J. Palus, Making Common Sense: Leadership As Meaning-
Making in a Community of Practice. (Greensboro, NC: Center for Creative
Leadership, 1994), p. 4.

Definitions

“Articulating visions, embodying values, and
creating the environment within which things
can be accomplished"

D. Richards and S. Engle, "After the vision: Suggestions to corporate visionaries
& vision champions," in Transforming Leadership, ed. J. D. Adams (Alexandria,
VA: Miles River, 1986), p. 206.

Definitions

“To influence, motivate, and enable others to
contribute toward the effectiveness and success
of the organization"

Robert J. House et al., , "Cultural influences on leadership & organizations," in
Advances in Global Leadership, eds. M. J. Gessner and V. Arnold (Stamford,
CT: JAI, 1999), p. 184.

Definitions

“An influence process of working with and
through people to accomplish organizational
goals or outcomes.”

Simmons, T. (2004). A leadership audit: The impact of values on leadership,
culture, and performance [PowerPoint Presentation]. Virginia Beach, VA: Regent
University.

Definitions

The ability to discover and articulate what the
followers really want to do and then help them
design and implement strategies to achieve that
goal.

Stephen D. Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam and Michael J. Platow, "The New
Psychology of Leadership," Scientific American Mind, August/September, 2007,
p. 24.

Definitions

“To receive power from God and to use it under
God's rule to serve people in God's way.”

Leighton Ford, Transforming Leadership: Jesus' Way of Creating Vision,
Shaping Values, & Empowering Change. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 1991), p. 76.

Who exercises leadership?

A specialized role?

or shared influence?

Only democratic
and ethical
leaders?

Or also ruthless
dictators?


Only the good?

Or also the evil?


Only those with
high IQ?

Or is EQ the more
important
variable?


Leadership Vs. Management

“Management is about coping with complexity.
. . . Without good management, complex
enterprises tend to become chaotic in ways that
threaten their very existence. Good
management brings a degree of order and
consistency to key dimensions like the quality
and profitability of products.”
John P. Kotter, "What leaders really do," in Leadership: Understanding the Dynamics
of Power & Influence in Organizations, ed. Robert P. Vecchio University of Notre
Dame, 1997), p. 25.


Leadership Vs. Management

“Leadership, by contrast, is about coping with
change. . . . More change always demands
more leadership.”

John P. Kotter, "What leaders really do," in Leadership: Understanding the Dynamics
of Power & Influence in Organizations, ed. Robert P. Vecchio University of Notre
Dame, 1997), p. 25.


Key Leadership Theories

• Traits
• Behaviors
• Influence and Power
• Situational Leadership
• Social Influence
• An Integrative Perspective


Other Ways to Categorize the
Leadership Theories


The Focus

• The Leader
• The Follower
• The Socio-Cultural Context
• The Organizational Structure


The Methodology
• Descriptive
• Prescriptive


Universal or Contingent?

• Principles that work in any situation OR
• Behavior that adapts to the context.


Dr. Greg Waddell

Twitter: GregWad_L
Blog: http://www.SpiritOfOrganization.com
Facebook: Greg.S.Waddell
Email: DrGregWaddell[at]gmail.com
Slideshare: Gregwad


Theories of leadership

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