DEFINITIONS OF LEADERSHIP (BASS)
Different definitions and concepts of leadership have been presented in countless essays and discussions. Often, a two-day meeting to discuss leadership has started with a day of argument over the definition. Rost (1993) found 221 definitions of leadership in 587 publications he examined.
Representative of definitions of leadership in the 1920s was impressing the will of the leader on those led and inducing obedience, respect, loyalty, and cooperation.
In the 1930s, leadership was considered a process through which the many were organized to move in a specific direction by the leader.
In the 1940s, leadership was the ability to persuade and direct beyond the effects of power, position, or circumstances.
In the 1950s, it was what leaders did in groups and the authority accorded to leaders by the group members.
In the 1960s, it was influence to move others in a shared direction.
From:
Bass, Bernard M.; Bass, Ruth (2009-11-21). The Bass Handbook of Leadership (p. 15). Free Press. Kindle Edition.
DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP (NORTHOUSE)
Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.
Defining leadership as a process means that it is not a trait or characteristic that resides in the leader but a transactional event that occurs between the leader and his or her followers. Process implies that a leader affects and is affected by followers. It emphasizes that leadership is not a linear, one-way event but rather an interactive event. When leadership is defined in this manner, it becomes available to everyone. It is not restricted to only the formally designated leader in a group.
Leadership involves influence; it is concerned with how the leader affects followers. Influence is the sine qua non of leadership. Without influence, leadership does not exist. Leadership occurs in groups.
Groups are the context in which leadership takes place. Leadership involves influencing a group of individuals who have a common purpose. This can be a small task group, a community group, or a large group encompassing an entire organization. Leadership training programs that teach people to lead themselves are not considered a part of leadership within the definition that is set forth in this discussion.
Leadership includes attention to goals. This means that leadership has to do with directing a group of individuals toward accomplishing some task or end. Leaders direct their energies toward individuals who are trying to achieve something together. Therefore, leadership occurs and has its effects in contexts where individuals are moving toward a goal.
From:
Dr. Peter G. (Guy) Northouse. Leadership: Theory and Practice . Kindle Edition.
Definitions of Leadership (YUKL)
Leadership is “the behavior of an individual . . . directing the activities of a group toward a shared goal.” (Hemphill & Coons, 1957, pg. 7)
Leadership is “the influential increment over and above mechanical compliance with the routine directives of the organization.” (Katz & Kahn, 1978, pg. 528)
“Leadership is exercised when persons . . . mobilize . . . institutional, political, psychological, and other resources so as to arouse, engage, and satisfy the motives of followers.” (Burns, 1978, pg. 18)
“Leadership is realized in the process whereby one or more individuals succeed in attempting to frame and define the reality of others.” (Smircich & Morgan, 1982, pg. 258)
Leadership is “the process of influencing the activities of an organized group toward goal achievement.” (Rauch & Behling, 1984, pg. 46)
“Leadership is about articulating visions, embodying values, and creating the environment within which things can be accomplished.” (Richards & Engle, 1986, pg. 206)
“Leadership is a process of giving purpose (meaningful direction) to collective effort, and causing willing effort to be expended to achieve purpose.” (Jacobs & Jaques, 1990, pg. 281)
Leadership “is the ability to step outside the culture . . . to start evolutionary change processes that are more adaptive.” (Schein, 1992, pg. 2)
“Leadership is the process of making sense of what people are doing together so that people will understand and be committed.” (Drath & Palus, 1994, p. 4)
Leadership is “the ability of an individual to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organization. . . . ” (House et al., 1999, pg. 184)
Most definitions of leadership reflect the assumption that it involves a process whereby intentional influence is exerted over other people to guide, structure, and facilitate activities and relationships in a group or organization.
From:
Yukl, Gary (2009-11-11). Leadership in Organizations, ePub (7th Edition) (Kindle Locations 364-379). Pearson HE, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
Go here for an "Integrated Definition of Leadership" by Dr. Bruce Winston and Dr. Kathleen Patterson.
Different definitions and concepts of leadership have been presented in countless essays and discussions. Often, a two-day meeting to discuss leadership has started with a day of argument over the definition. Rost (1993) found 221 definitions of leadership in 587 publications he examined.
Representative of definitions of leadership in the 1920s was impressing the will of the leader on those led and inducing obedience, respect, loyalty, and cooperation.
In the 1930s, leadership was considered a process through which the many were organized to move in a specific direction by the leader.
In the 1940s, leadership was the ability to persuade and direct beyond the effects of power, position, or circumstances.
In the 1950s, it was what leaders did in groups and the authority accorded to leaders by the group members.
In the 1960s, it was influence to move others in a shared direction.
From:
Bass, Bernard M.; Bass, Ruth (2009-11-21). The Bass Handbook of Leadership (p. 15). Free Press. Kindle Edition.
DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP (NORTHOUSE)
Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.
Defining leadership as a process means that it is not a trait or characteristic that resides in the leader but a transactional event that occurs between the leader and his or her followers. Process implies that a leader affects and is affected by followers. It emphasizes that leadership is not a linear, one-way event but rather an interactive event. When leadership is defined in this manner, it becomes available to everyone. It is not restricted to only the formally designated leader in a group.
Leadership involves influence; it is concerned with how the leader affects followers. Influence is the sine qua non of leadership. Without influence, leadership does not exist. Leadership occurs in groups.
Groups are the context in which leadership takes place. Leadership involves influencing a group of individuals who have a common purpose. This can be a small task group, a community group, or a large group encompassing an entire organization. Leadership training programs that teach people to lead themselves are not considered a part of leadership within the definition that is set forth in this discussion.
Leadership includes attention to goals. This means that leadership has to do with directing a group of individuals toward accomplishing some task or end. Leaders direct their energies toward individuals who are trying to achieve something together. Therefore, leadership occurs and has its effects in contexts where individuals are moving toward a goal.
From:
Dr. Peter G. (Guy) Northouse. Leadership: Theory and Practice . Kindle Edition.
Definitions of Leadership (YUKL)
Leadership is “the behavior of an individual . . . directing the activities of a group toward a shared goal.” (Hemphill & Coons, 1957, pg. 7)
Leadership is “the influential increment over and above mechanical compliance with the routine directives of the organization.” (Katz & Kahn, 1978, pg. 528)
“Leadership is exercised when persons . . . mobilize . . . institutional, political, psychological, and other resources so as to arouse, engage, and satisfy the motives of followers.” (Burns, 1978, pg. 18)
“Leadership is realized in the process whereby one or more individuals succeed in attempting to frame and define the reality of others.” (Smircich & Morgan, 1982, pg. 258)
Leadership is “the process of influencing the activities of an organized group toward goal achievement.” (Rauch & Behling, 1984, pg. 46)
“Leadership is about articulating visions, embodying values, and creating the environment within which things can be accomplished.” (Richards & Engle, 1986, pg. 206)
“Leadership is a process of giving purpose (meaningful direction) to collective effort, and causing willing effort to be expended to achieve purpose.” (Jacobs & Jaques, 1990, pg. 281)
Leadership “is the ability to step outside the culture . . . to start evolutionary change processes that are more adaptive.” (Schein, 1992, pg. 2)
“Leadership is the process of making sense of what people are doing together so that people will understand and be committed.” (Drath & Palus, 1994, p. 4)
Leadership is “the ability of an individual to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organization. . . . ” (House et al., 1999, pg. 184)
Most definitions of leadership reflect the assumption that it involves a process whereby intentional influence is exerted over other people to guide, structure, and facilitate activities and relationships in a group or organization.
From:
Yukl, Gary (2009-11-11). Leadership in Organizations, ePub (7th Edition) (Kindle Locations 364-379). Pearson HE, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
Go here for an "Integrated Definition of Leadership" by Dr. Bruce Winston and Dr. Kathleen Patterson.