Many of today’s leadership models derive from theories created long before the term ‘leadership’ was coined. To understand these recent models, it is important to know where they developed from. This essay considers some of the initial leadership theories and connects them with their recent followers before exploring how leadership theory is applied in today’s management practice.
Since the forming of groups at the beginning of mankind, leaders headed groups of individuals, some by choice of the group, some by personality, some took leadership by force, and others led by what they assumed to be divine right. Leadership developed over time, but even the most contemporary leadership styles still bear close links with their roots. To consider the connections of today’s leadership with the initial models, the history of leadership is briefly visited, and recent theories are explained before a link between leadership theory and practice and the application of leadership is made.
Table of Contents
1. A Brief History of Leadership Theory
2. Leadership Evolving Over Time
3. Recent Leadership Theories
3.1 Recent Leadership Theories aligned to Traits Theories
3.2 Recent Leadership Theories aligned to Behavioural Theories
3.3 Recent Leadership Theories aligned to Contingency Theories
3.4 Recent Leadership Theories aligned to Power-Influence Theories
4. How Early and Recent Theories Connect
5. Historical Theories in a Current Context
6. Connecting Leadership Theory and Practice
7. Connecting Early and Recent Leadership Theories
8. Thoughts on Leadership
9. Application of Leadership Theory in Today’s Practice
10. How Leadership Works in an Organisation
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to bridge the gap between historical leadership models and contemporary management practices by tracing the evolutionary development of leadership theories. It explores how foundational concepts persist in modern leadership styles while analyzing the practical application of these theories in diverse organizational contexts.
- Historical evolution of leadership theories from the "Great Man" to modern models.
- Categorization and analysis of nine recent leadership theories developed within the last 15 years.
- The intersection of personality traits, behaviors, and situational context in effective leadership.
- Practical demonstration of leadership styles through organizational case studies and prototypes.
- Integration of leadership theory into current management decision-making and business environments.
Excerpt from the Book
How Leadership Works in an Organisation
Leader two falls into the model of Responsible Leadership (Pless, 2007). He is heading a not-for-profit organisation and is carried by deep inner beliefs of what is good and ethical. This responsibility is shown in many small and bigger ways from the question who will work on a weekend (rather those with family and/or small children or those without) up to the choice of employees with preference to those who need the job more than others (at equal qualification, of course). His team is fully aware of the responsibility of his leadership and thus follows him in deep trust, knowing that he would do his utmost to keep any negative harm from them. This style of leadership matches the type of organisation very well. It is, too, very authentic, and it attracts and keeps people with similar attitude. One of the big advantages of this Responsible Leadership to those led is that they hardly need to worry for their job-safety and that they can trust to be burdened only as much as absolutely necessary. For those who lead this leader, the advantage is a very motivated and loyal leader and team. The risk in responsible leadership is, however, (and this has happened) that the leader is abused by people who solely long for the benefits of a comfortable working environment without really following the leader. In this case, the leader’s responsible leadership, once he recognised the situation, excluded the individual in question in responsibility for everyone else.
Summary of Chapters
A Brief History of Leadership Theory: This chapter introduces the origins of leadership definitions and the transition from early theories like the Great Man Theory to more structured behavioral models.
Leadership Evolving Over Time: This section details the shift in leadership focus from inherent traits to the importance of goal-setting, assisting followers, and intrinsic motivation.
Recent Leadership Theories: This chapter categorizes nine contemporary leadership theories into four major groups, evaluating their specific strengths and weaknesses.
Recent Leadership Theories aligned to Traits Theories: This section examines models like Authentic and Neo-charismatic leadership that focus on the leader's personality and character.
Recent Leadership Theories aligned to Behavioural Theories: This section covers leadership models centered on leader actions, such as Implicit, Responsible, Ethical, and Entrepreneurial leadership.
Recent Leadership Theories aligned to Contingency Theories: This part focuses on adaptive leadership structures including Complexity, Shared, Distributed, and Collective leadership.
Recent Leadership Theories aligned to Power-Influence Theories: This section discusses E-Leadership and the role of technology-driven social influence.
How Early and Recent Theories Connect: This chapter draws a logical development string between historical and modern theories, highlighting the enduring relevance of early concepts.
Historical Theories in a Current Context: This section analyzes how historical leadership elements remain visible in modern political and management assessment scenarios.
Connecting Leadership Theory and Practice: This chapter synthesizes the relationship between theory development and political, social, and economic changes.
Connecting Early and Recent Leadership Theories: This section provides an analytical bridge, connecting the three earliest theories to the nine most recent models explored in the work.
Thoughts on Leadership: This chapter offers critical reflections and open questions regarding the nature of leadership, influence, and success.
Application of Leadership Theory in Today’s Practice: This section provides real-world examples of how leaders like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk embody various theoretical frameworks.
How Leadership Works in an Organisation: This final chapter presents four organizational prototypes to demonstrate the practical implications and challenges of applying specific leadership theories.
Keywords
Leadership, Leadership Theory, Management, Authentic Leadership, Behavioural Theory, Contingency Theory, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Organizational Change, Complexity Leadership, Responsible Leadership, Traits Theory, Power-Influence, Followership, Strategic Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The book explores the evolution of leadership theories from their origins to modern applications, demonstrating how historical concepts continue to shape today’s business practices.
What are the central themes discussed?
The core themes include the historical development of leadership, the categorization of modern theories (traits, behavioral, contingency, and power-influence), and the practical application of these styles within organizations.
What is the main objective of the author?
The author aims to connect early leadership models with contemporary followers to provide a comprehensive understanding of how and why leadership theory remains an ongoing, developing process.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The work employs a literature-based comparative analysis of leadership models combined with practical case studies and prototype descriptions to evaluate theoretical efficacy.
What does the main body cover?
The main body systematically reviews the history of leadership, identifies nine recent theories, analyzes their interconnections, and illustrates their application via specific organizational prototypes.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Leadership, Authentic Leadership, Contingency Theory, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Organizational Change, and Followership.
How does the author characterize the "Great Man Theory" in a modern context?
The author notes that while the theory is often rejected for moral reasons, it remains prevalent in political elections and organizational contexts where individuals are followed for their specific personalities or perceived strengths.
What challenges are associated with Contingency Leadership?
The primary challenge is the potential lack of perceived authenticity, as followers may become confused when a leader constantly adjusts their style to meet different situational demands.
What is the role of E-Leadership?
E-Leadership represents a modern shift where leadership occurs through electronic communication and social influence, offering speed and reduced bias while sacrificing personal interaction.
Why does the author differentiate between leaders and managers?
Building on Kotter's work, the author distinguishes them by identifying the leader as an individual personality who inspires, while the manager is described as a trained professional focused on organization and control.
- Citar trabajo
- Heiko Filthuth (Autor), 2018, Connecting Leadership Theory and Practice for Today's Businesses, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/541348
