We have asked ourselves, “What is leadership?’ In last the two segments of this series we have looked at a few definitions.  In this 3rd part, we’re going to examine a few more definitions. 

 

Pinetreeweb.com offers us this about leadership:

 

There are no rules for leadership…Leadership is a process of getting things done through people…. Leadership is not a science…Leadership means responsibility…Leadership is not magic that comes out of a leader’s head. It’s skill. The leader learns how to get the job done and still keep the group together.

In the article “Total Leadership” which you can read at wfnetwork.bc.edu, Stewart D. Friedman says….

 

“There are a few issues with the terms “leader” or “leadership.” The first is the notion that leadership is a quality that anyone can express; it’s not solely the province of mangers, supervisors, or anyone else with a hierarchal responsibility for the work of others. Leadership is about creating sustainable change; it’s about mobilizing people towards a goal that matters. A person can do this at any level and at any career stage.”

 

On a forum called www.piop.net I found a discussion called “Leadership- What is it?” I thank the originator for compiling this list of definitions by various people. If you don’t know or recognize the names of the individuals but are interested in who these people are, I suggest do a search on them. 


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

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

Jacobs and Jacques (1990) Leadership is a process of giving purpose (meaningful direction) to collective effort, and cause willing effort to be expected to achieve purpose.

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

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

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

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

Fiedler (1967): A leader is the person in a group who directs and coordinates task-oriented group activities.

Katz & Kahn (1966): Leadership is the influential increment over and above mechanical compliance with organizational directives  

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

  

 

The Practice of leadership is a blog by George Ambler.  He made a short entry about leadership in the words of Field Marshal Montgomery and then breaks it down!

 

“Leadership: The capacity and will to rally people to a common purpose together with the character that inspires confidence and trust” – Field Marshal Montgomery

 

A Common Purpose: Leadership is about creating purpose and meaning that is shared by a group of people. Creating a vision is great first step, but unless the vision is shared by the people it’s, will not align action.

Character that Inspires Confidence and Trust: Who you are as a leader is just as important as what you can do… your competence. Vision and purpose is necessary, but not sufficient, without a proven character people will not follow. Character is supported by core values and a leadership philosophy which inspires trust. People trust leaders who are honest, transparent, are accountable and have integrity. Character is the foundation of leadership, if you don’t believe in the messenger, you won’t believe the message!

  

 

I’d like to share with you one more definition of leadership. At www.christian-faith.com/leadership we see leadership as:

 

“Leadership is the ability to obtain followers. Leadership is influence…. Leadership moves people towards common goals, principles and values.”

 

I realize that I have provided many definitions of leadership. It is not my intentions just to inundate these articles with interpretations but to capture the fact and reinforce the idea that people define leadership differently.  In part four, we are going to look at several more definitions of leadership.

 

Again, if you would to share your thoughts on any of these definitions please do so in the comments section. Thanks!