Leadership is the process and the result of complex interactions among the leader, the followers, and the situation.
This complexity means that leadership and leadership development cannot be only about the leader. Studying only leaders provides an often-crippling partial view of the leadership process.
Put simply, leadership is the process of influencing an organized group to achieving its goals. This process involves a dynamic interaction between leaders and followers in a particular situation, and it is the leader's responsibility to align him- or herself with followers (and vice versa) according to the situation. "Leadership," therefore becomes the aligned center of this dynamic process:
This complexity means that leadership and leadership development cannot be only about the leader. Studying only leaders provides an often-crippling partial view of the leadership process.
Put simply, leadership is the process of influencing an organized group to achieving its goals. This process involves a dynamic interaction between leaders and followers in a particular situation, and it is the leader's responsibility to align him- or herself with followers (and vice versa) according to the situation. "Leadership," therefore becomes the aligned center of this dynamic process:
But what a dynamic process it is!
Effective leadership can be enhanced by greater awareness of factors influencing the leadership process.
A particular leadership situation scenario can be assessed using each level of analysis, examining interactions in the area of overlaps, and how all three levels interact in alignment:
A particular leadership situation scenario can be assessed using each level of analysis, examining interactions in the area of overlaps, and how all three levels interact in alignment:
Notice how the different perspectives (leader, followers, situation) can shift toward and away from each other - thus diminishing or enhancing the potential for leadership! I told you it was dynamic!