leadingtoday.org

Leadership Tip of the Month

August 2006

Copyright 2006 ã weLEAD, Inc.

Formal Definitions of Leadership

Leadership is a term which is hard to define. Because of this ambiguity it is also often misdefined and abused. The modern media is usually guilty of labeling the term "leadership" on any individual or group that controls, commands others or maintains positions of power. To help us define leadership, it may be helpful to remember what Warren Bennis wrote almost 50 years ago…

"Always, it seems, the concept of leadership eludes us or turns up in another form to taunt us again with its slipperiness and complexity. So we have invented an endless proliferation of terms to deal with it . . . and still the concept is not sufficiently defined."

Sadly, what was written by Warren Bennis in 1959 is still as applicable today as ever! However, to help you grasp the various views and perceptions of leadership, we provide for you some formal statements (in bold) made by researchers and consultants over the past 50 years. After each quotation, I will provide a brief comment on what I believe is the important focus of their formal definition.

"Leadership is "the behavior of an individual. . . directing the activities of a group toward a shared goal." (Hemphill & Coons, 1957)

In this definition, the behavior of an individual is emphasized. Notice how it also includes the shared goal of the group and not simply the single desires of the leader alone.

“The servant-leader is servant first…It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead…” (Greenleaf, 1970)

Robert Greenleaf coins the term "servant-leader" to define one who serves first in order to benefit others. His book entitled The Servant as Leader further stresses the need to mentor and grow other individuals, and calls on leaders to become socially responsible.

"Leadership is "the influential increment over and above mechanical compliance with the routine directives of the organization." (Katz & Kahn, 1978)

Notice the focus on influence in this definition. It is defined as a quality that motivates others beyond mere compliance or directives of an organization."

Leadership is "the process of influencing the activities of an organized group toward goal achievement." (Rauch & Behling, 1984)

This definition also includes the potential of a leader to influence others. It adds the element of an organized group of followers who together work toward achievement because of the leader's influence.

"Leaders are those who consistently make effective contributions to social order and who are expected and perceived to do so." (Hosking, 1988)

Hosking views leadership from a different perspective. He begins by stressing the importance of consistent rather than sporadic contributions. He defines the role as one that makes effective contributions rather than ineffective or negative contributions. His view also reinforces the need for a leader to be socially responsible and accountable.

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)

This enriching definition mentions the need for leadership to provide purpose to the group (collective effort). This is provided by a compelling vision that inspires everyone to produce a willing effort to achieve the purpose.

Leadership... is the ability to step outside the culture. . . to start evolutionary change processes that are more adaptive." (Schein, 1992)

Schein introduces the leader as the agent of change. This requires one to look beyond the existing status quo and ask… what if? Leadership must introduce change effectively so the organization does not become archaic or self-destructive.

"Leadership is the process of making sense of what people are doing together so that people will understand and be committed." (Drath & Palus, 1994)

This is a definition that focuses on the value of followership. Like an orchestra conductor, the leader is responsible to coordinate the activities of what people are doing. The leader also communicates well so that followers understand the mission and their role in it. Finally the leader builds commitment within the team to get a goal accomplished.

"Leadership is about articulating visions, embodying values, and creating the environment within which things can be accomplished." (Richards & Engle, 1986)

Richards & Engle focus on two important qualities. Articulating a vision is essential to a motivated environment. It provides purpose and meaning to the group. Values also maintain necessary order and respect within the environment. Leaders must model the right values by personal example if they want to remain credible.

As you can see, there is no single phrase or definition that incorporates all the traits or qualities of effective leadership. Yet, by examining these diverse definitions we can come to a better understanding of what leadership is, and how it influences others. If you discover any definitions you believe are helpful or enlightening, please be sure to let us know. weLEAD will be happy to publish them.

For weLEAD, this is Greg Thomas reminding you that it was Lao-Tse who wrote, "Fail to honor people, they fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will all say, "We did this ourselves."