Leadership and the attributes of leaders are intensely studied subjects in behavioral science, regardless of the colossal amount of work that has been completed in research, there are still many unanswered questions concerning leadership (Izzettin, 1978, p. 99). Prior to World War II, behavioral science was specifically engaged in narrowing down the personality traits that defined effective leadership through trait studies; unfortunately, efforts to find a specific trait proved futile (Izzettin, 1978). In the 1950’s and 1960’s, interest shifted to the study of leadership styles and how those leadership styles influenced the behavior and performance of subordinates (Izzettin, 1978). As a result of these efforts, researchers were able to identify
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Thus, various studies have revealed that instead of traits, leaders have specific qualities that include: guiding vision, passion, integrity, trust, unrelenting curiosity, and the willingness to assume a certain amount of risk (Low, 2010). In addition to certain leadership qualities, leaders must also possess skills and behaviors that can be further developed to enhance a leader’s performance and effectiveness (CCBS, 2016, slide 3). Thus, a leader should possess a certain amount of technical skills, conceptual skills, interpersonal skills, and have the ability to learn new things; furthermore, a leader must also possess both emotional and social intelligence as well as the ability to think outside the box (Yukl, 2010). Among the many skills in which a leader must be proficient; most pressing are interpersonal skills, as interpersonal skills are intrinsic to influence and relationship building with subordinates (Yukl, 2010, p. …show more content…
Hence, coercive power typically beseeched with a threat or warning of some undesirable consequence, may be used to achieve compliance with a request, rule or policy (Yukl, 2010, p. 159) while expert power may be used to guide subordinates through a complex task that may also have a complex solution (Yukl, 2010, p. 161). Unfortunately, power can be won or lost, and as the social exchange theory substantiates, power is won or lost as reciprocal influence processes occur over time between leaders and followers (Yukl, 2010, p. 164). For instance, a leader’s expert power may diminish over time as subordinates become either equally knowledgeable or more knowledgeable than the leader (Yukl, 2010). Power may also be won through innovation; however, if innovation fails, the leader may also be seen as a failure (Yukl, 2010). Irrespective of how power is used, leadership that is power driven alone will inevitably fail and become corrupted and abused (Lloyd,
Thus, various studies have revealed that instead of traits, leaders have specific qualities that include: guiding vision, passion, integrity, trust, unrelenting curiosity, and the willingness to assume a certain amount of risk (Low, 2010). In addition to certain leadership qualities, leaders must also possess skills and behaviors that can be further developed to enhance a leader’s performance and effectiveness (CCBS, 2016, slide 3). Thus, a leader should possess a certain amount of technical skills, conceptual skills, interpersonal skills, and have the ability to learn new things; furthermore, a leader must also possess both emotional and social intelligence as well as the ability to think outside the box (Yukl, 2010). Among the many skills in which a leader must be proficient; most pressing are interpersonal skills, as interpersonal skills are intrinsic to influence and relationship building with subordinates (Yukl, 2010, p. …show more content…
Hence, coercive power typically beseeched with a threat or warning of some undesirable consequence, may be used to achieve compliance with a request, rule or policy (Yukl, 2010, p. 159) while expert power may be used to guide subordinates through a complex task that may also have a complex solution (Yukl, 2010, p. 161). Unfortunately, power can be won or lost, and as the social exchange theory substantiates, power is won or lost as reciprocal influence processes occur over time between leaders and followers (Yukl, 2010, p. 164). For instance, a leader’s expert power may diminish over time as subordinates become either equally knowledgeable or more knowledgeable than the leader (Yukl, 2010). Power may also be won through innovation; however, if innovation fails, the leader may also be seen as a failure (Yukl, 2010). Irrespective of how power is used, leadership that is power driven alone will inevitably fail and become corrupted and abused (Lloyd,