Nature of Leadership and Leadership Style

Concepts and definitions from the Nature of Leadership lecture, including leadership vs. management comparisons, leadership styles, and theoretical classifications.

Leadership

The process of influencing others to understand and agree about what needs to be done and how it can be done effectively, and the process of facilitating individual and collective efforts to accomplish the objectives.

Manager

A person who focuses on organization, control, and short-term goals; acts as an administrator and executor who values stability, order, and efficiency.

Leader

A person who focuses on vision, inspiration, and long-term goals; acts as an innovator and change agent who values flexibility, innovation, and adaptation.

Source of Power for Leaders

Influence and charisma.

Source of Power for Managers

Position and authority.

Key Leadership Variables

The three categories that determine leadership effectiveness: Characteristics of the leaders, characteristics of the followers, and characteristics of the situation.

Autocratic Leadership Style

A style where the leader makes decisions and announces them to followers, dictates work methods, and does not share information; often found in high power distance and high uncertainty avoidance organizations.

Persuasive Leader

A manager who shares decisions with subordinates, explains and outlines the situation, and tries to convince subordinates to work more effectively.

Consultative Leader

A leader who consults with followers by presenting problems and listening to suggestions, though the manager ultimately makes the decision.

Participative/Democratic Leadership

A style where the leader sets general goals or limits and allows the group or followers to make decisions and determine work methods.

Laissez-faire Leader

A leader who gives complete freedom to followers with minimum participation; this style is often found in organizations with very low power distance or low uncertainty avoidance.

Trait Leadership Theory

Attempts to explain distinctive characteristics accounting for leadership effectiveness to identify a set of traits that all successful leaders possess.

Behavioral Leadership Theory

Attempts to explain distinctive styles used by effective leaders or the nature of their work.

Contingency Leadership Theory

Attempts to explain the appropriate leadership style based on the leader, followers, and situation.

Integrative Leadership Theories

Attempts to combine trait, behavioral, and contingency theories to explain successful influencing leader-follower relationships.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation that comes from inside the person, such as joy from solving hard problems or learning new skills.

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation that comes from outside sources, such as pay raises, bonuses, praise, or awards.