Critically Evaluate how Theories of Leadership Define and Explain how Essay

Critically Evaluate how Theories of Leadership Define and Explain how to Identify and Create Effective Leaders - Essay Example However, recently there has been increasing emphasis or recognition of dispersed leadership. This approach, having its foundation in psychology, sociology and politics rather than the management sciences considers leadership to be a process which is diffused through the organization instead of lying with the designated leader. The present project seeks to make a critical evaluation of the various definitions of leadership. It then goes on to explain how to identify and create effective leaders in the organization. It focuses on the traditional and individualistic views of leadership as these are considered to have the greatest relevance to the field of management development and leadership standards in organizations. Critical Analysis Leadership is an extremely high valued and highly sought after commodity. It is a common question for people to ask what make for the good leaders. Moreover leadership has attracted attention of the researchers all across the world and a review of the s cholarly articles on the subject reveals that there are numerous theoretical approaches for explaining the complexities of the process of leadership (Northouse, 2009, p.1). Some researchers have considered leadership as behaviour or trait while others have viewed the same from a relational standpoint or an information processing perspective (Northouse, 2009, p.1). Leadership Defined Stogdill (1974) brought forth through a series of research that there are as many different definitions of leadership as there are people trying to define it. Although each one knows intuitively about the meaning of the term, it appears mean differently to different individuals. The mere attempt to give a definition to leadership creates the discovery that it has numerous different meanings (Northouse, 2009, p.2). Certain components have been identified as being central to the conceptualization of leadership. Firstly leadership is considered to be a process; it includes a certain amount of influence; it occurs in groups and finally it involves common goals. Considering the above components the most common definition of leadership has evolved. Leadership has been defined as a process in which a single individual has influence over a group of individuals in order to attain a common goal (Northouse, 2009, p.2). The definition of leadership as a process means that it is neither a characteristic nor a trait residing in the leader; it is rather a transactional event occurring between the leaders and the followers. The term process implies that it is not a one way event; both leaders and followers get affected in the process. They need each other mutually. According to the views of Burns (1978), although there is a close link between the leaders and the followers, generally leaders are more associated with the initiation of the relationship, the creation of communication linkages and carrying the responsibility or burden of maintaining the relationship (Northouse, 2009, p.4). Theories of Leadership Researchers are of the opinion that a difference exists between the trait and process theory of leadership. It is common for people to think that people are born to be leaders or that people make leaders naturally. These are some statements which are generally expressed by people who consider the trait perspective towards leadership. The perspective suggests that