Introduction to Leadership: Theory and Practice

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, historical evolution, bases of power, and core distinctions of leadership from Peter G. Northouse's Leadership: Theory and Practice.

Leadership

A process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.

Process (in Leadership)

A transactional and interactive event occurring between the leader and followers, implying that leadership is not a linear, one-way event or a fixed trait residing solely in the leader.

Influence

The sine qua non of leadership; the central element concerned with how a leader affects followers, without which leadership cannot exist.

Group Context (in Leadership)

The setting required for leadership to occur, involving one individual influencing a collection of other individuals who share a common purpose.

Common Goals

Mutual purposes shared between leaders and followers that give leadership an ethical overtone and reduce the likelihood of forced or unethical actions.

Trait Perspective of Leadership

A viewpoint suggesting that certain individuals possess innate, inborn qualities or characteristics (such as height, extraversion, or intelligence) that differentiate them from nonleaders.

Assigned Leadership

Leadership that is based on holding a formal title or position within an organization, such as a team leader, plant manager, or department head.

Emergent Leadership

Leadership that arises over time through group interaction and communication when members perceive an individual as the most influential person, regardless of their official title.

Power

The capacity or potential to influence, characterized by the ability to affect the beliefs, attitudes, and courses of action of others.

Position Power

Power that an individual derives from having a specific office, rank, or formal status in an organization (encompassing legitimate, reward, coercive, and information power).

Personal Power

Power and influence that a leader derives from being seen by followers as likable and knowledgeable (encompassing referent and expert power).

Referent Power

A base of power grounded in followers' identification with and personal liking or admiration for the leader.

Expert Power

A base of power derived from followers' perceptions of the leader's specific competence, knowledge, or expertise.

Legitimate Power

A base of power associated with having formal job authority, office, or status within an organization or system.

Reward Power

A base of power derived from an individual's ability to provide rewards, benefits, or praise to others.

Coercive Power

A base of power derived from having the capacity to penalize, sanction, or punish others.

Information Power

A base of power derived from possessing specific knowledge or data that others need or desire.

Coercion

The use of force, threats, manipulation, and penalties to influence people to act against their will to satisfy the leader's own goals rather than a common goal.

Management

A process created during the industrial era designed to reduce chaos and produce order and consistency through planning, budgeting, organizing, staffing, controlling, and problem solving.

Transformational Leadership (Burns, 1978)

A leadership process occurring when one or more persons engage with others in such a way that leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality.

Authentic Leadership

An emerging 21st-century leadership approach that emphasizes the authenticity and genuineness of leaders and their leadership.

Spiritual Leadership

An emerging leadership approach that utilizes core values, a sense of calling, and membership to motivate and inspire followers.

Servant Leadership

An emerging approach that places the leader in the role of servant, using caring principles to prioritize followers' needs and help them become more autonomous and knowledgeable.

Adaptive Leadership

An emerging leadership approach where leaders encourage and assist followers to adapt by confronting and solving problems, challenges, and changes.