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Abstract

Webster’s dictionary (2005) defines leadership as the position or guidance of a leader. According to Northouse (2007), “Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.” It is apparent that the definition of leadership can be conceptualized differently depending on the individual and/or organization. Researchers have conducted intensive studies to support theories but it is clear that leadership cannot be defined with a single definition. One common component is that leadership is a process in which two parties, leader and follower, are to achieve the same goal. The two conceptual approaches to leadership are the Trait Approach and the Skills Approach. In addition to published research, real life experiences are cited. Leadership is clearly objective in nature for both leaders and managers.

Leadership Conceptualized

Within the last century leadership has been studied to determine how it can be conceptualized. The subjectivity of leadership makes it difficult to assign one meaning to it. The common components of leadership regardless of how it has been researched and/or approached is that it is a process, involves influence, occurs in a group, and involves striving for a common goal. Throughout the first 3 chapters it compares different concepts of leadership.

The first comparison noted is the trait vs. process leadership ideology. In the Figure 1.1, (Northouse, 2007, p5) it compares trait leadership and process leadership. Trait leadership are characteristics that an individual are born with. Bryman (1992) lists some of the personal qualities used to identify leaders include physical factors (e.g. height), personality features and the ability (e.g. speech fluency). Process leadership is a skill that can be learned with training and development. Trait leadership and process leadership can be intertwined. There are individuals with the innate traits of a leader that have not been developed. The processes manifest the leadership traits in a person.

Leaders can be put in a position or simply be considered a leader by peers. This concept is assigned leadership compared to emergent leadership. When an individual is assigned or appointed as a leader that doesn’t necessary mean that he or she is leader by any definition. That simply means that this person and just been put into a leadership position. Performance is not taken into consideration. An emergent leader has risen above the ranks of their peer group by an individual’s actions and/or knowledge within their group.

French and Raven (1959) identifies reward, cocercion, legitimate, referent and expertise are influences that intensify leadership positions. The usage of several of these powers An example of position power is a plant manager. A plant manager is in leadership position. A leader with personal power is considered the expert and is considered a good role model by followers and/or peers.

Coercion is an unhealthy leadership style that is usually found in occults or situations where an ultimatum is given and penalties are given to those that don’t comply. Coercion is not leadership simply because the common goal is not ethically conducive to the relationship between the leader and the follower.

There is a difference between leadership and management. Leaders deal with people and managers deal with processes. Management sets the direction and leaders execute the directives while managing change. Bennie and Nanus (1995) said it best “Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right thing”. It is not impossible for managers and leaders to have common characteristics due to the fact that both are dependent upon each other. If there is a weak leak on either side of this equation it hinders the progression of the organization and/or company.

The Trait Approach was an attempt to find out what traits and/or characteristics made an effective leader. This approach is different than the other approaches whereas it focuses solely on the leader. A host of researchers compiled list of traits