Definitions of Leadership
The term “leadership” has an array of meanings to many researchers that has led some to distinct areas in their research. Merriam-Webster defines leadership as “capacity to lead” and “the act or an instance of leading.” Additionally, several authors have studied leadership and have defined leadership with specific meanings related to their studies.
Traditional Leadership Definitions
Northouse (2007) defines leadership as a process. It is not a trait or characteristic that resides within the leader but a transactional event that occurs between the leader and his or her followers. Leadership is more of a role than a position. Northouse states that leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of …show more content…
The author states that leadership and quality must not be neglected. His belief is that the development of systems and individuals are similar and should go hand-in-hand. A major goal for leaders is to develop both systems and individuals to the highest levels possible. Reaching higher levels will provide an organization with continuous process improvement resources. Gardner (1990) believes that “leadership is conferred by followers” (p. 24). The author posits that leaders can operate under a two-way street. The first path is where followers are provided guidance; the other is in which followers give feedback. Leaders need to have a balance between structure and control and the relationship between both is a two-way communication. Burns (1978) states leadership is an aspect of power. The author states that all leaders are power holders, but not all power holders are leaders. He defines leadership as “leaders inducing followers to act for certain goals that represent the values and the motivations of both the leaders and the followers” (p. 19). Burns offers his insight into the relationship between the leader and the follower. The development of certain leaders or rulers is described not in order to “solve” leadership problems or necessarily to predict what kind of leader a person might become, but rather, in the complexity of the leadership process (p. …show more content…
He states that these two words are being overused with negative implications. The author feels that “serve” and “leader” are good words because of the meaning they communicate to others. Greenleaf believes that the educational world is neither educating nor nurturing future leaders. Leaders are people who know who they are, what their strength, and weaknesses are. Students attending middle schools hold leadership skills and leadership qualities; however many students are not aware that they are
The term “leadership” has an array of meanings to many researchers that has led some to distinct areas in their research. Merriam-Webster defines leadership as “capacity to lead” and “the act or an instance of leading.” Additionally, several authors have studied leadership and have defined leadership with specific meanings related to their studies.
Traditional Leadership Definitions
Northouse (2007) defines leadership as a process. It is not a trait or characteristic that resides within the leader but a transactional event that occurs between the leader and his or her followers. Leadership is more of a role than a position. Northouse states that leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of …show more content…
The author states that leadership and quality must not be neglected. His belief is that the development of systems and individuals are similar and should go hand-in-hand. A major goal for leaders is to develop both systems and individuals to the highest levels possible. Reaching higher levels will provide an organization with continuous process improvement resources. Gardner (1990) believes that “leadership is conferred by followers” (p. 24). The author posits that leaders can operate under a two-way street. The first path is where followers are provided guidance; the other is in which followers give feedback. Leaders need to have a balance between structure and control and the relationship between both is a two-way communication. Burns (1978) states leadership is an aspect of power. The author states that all leaders are power holders, but not all power holders are leaders. He defines leadership as “leaders inducing followers to act for certain goals that represent the values and the motivations of both the leaders and the followers” (p. 19). Burns offers his insight into the relationship between the leader and the follower. The development of certain leaders or rulers is described not in order to “solve” leadership problems or necessarily to predict what kind of leader a person might become, but rather, in the complexity of the leadership process (p. …show more content…
He states that these two words are being overused with negative implications. The author feels that “serve” and “leader” are good words because of the meaning they communicate to others. Greenleaf believes that the educational world is neither educating nor nurturing future leaders. Leaders are people who know who they are, what their strength, and weaknesses are. Students attending middle schools hold leadership skills and leadership qualities; however many students are not aware that they are