Leadership

What Is Leadership?
• Leadership
 It is defined as influence, i.e., the art or process of
influencing people so that they will strive willingly and
enthusiastically towards achievement of group goals.
(Koontz and Weihrich)
• Managerial Leadership
 It is the process of directing and influencing the task-
related activities of group members. (Stoner &
Freeman)
 Leadership styles (Flow of Influence)

Autocratic Autocratic leader commands and expects

compliance, is dogmatic and positive, and leads
Leader with ability to give or withhold rewards and
punishments.

Democratic
Leader
(Participative)
Follower Follower Follower

Free-rein
Follower Follower Follower
Leader
The democratic (or participative) leader consults
with subordinates on proposed actions and
decisions and encourages participation from them.
This type of leader ranges from the person who
does not take action without subordinates’
Follower Follower Follower
concurrence to the one who makes decisions but
consults with subordinates before doing so.
The Free-rein leader uses his or her power very little, if at all,
giving subordinates a high degree of independence in their
operations. Such leaders depend largely on their
subordinates to set goals and the means for achieving them,
they see their role as one of aiding the operations of followers
by furnishing them with information.
 Likert’s Leadership Styles Research
Autocracy • Autocratic (Exploitative-Authoritative) Leadership Style
 Highly dictatorial and little trust on their subordinates. They use fear
and punishment as a tool to make people work.
• Paternalistic (Benevolent-Authoritative) Style
 Demonstrate care and compassion for the feelings and sentiments of
their subordinates but what prevails finally is the will of the leader.
Use rewards more often and punishments only occasionally.
• Consultative Leadership Style
 Substantial but not complete confidence and trust in their
subordinates. They listen to their ideas, examine them but make the
final decision themselves. Broad policy decisions might be taken but
details are delegated.
• Participative Leadership Style
 Have complete trust and confidence in their subordinates, and their
ideas and opinions are sought frequently and used constructively.
These leaders believe in the process of decentralization of authority.
Democracy
Narcissistic Leaders

“Narcissism”

Literally means “excessive interest in or admiration of

oneself and one's physical appearance.”

Want to create a “Charisma” around their pesonality

Manfried Kets de Vries

• Freud on Narcissistic Leaders
 Freud, in his study of the relationship between leaders and followers stated that "the leader
himself need love no one else, he may be of a masterful nature, absolutely narcissistic, self-
confident and independent" (1921, pp 123-124).
 According to Freud, a leader is an individual whose main interest is self-preservation, who is
independent and impossible to intimidate. Significant aggressiveness is possible, which
sometimes manifests itself in a constant readiness for activity. People belonging to this type
impress others as being strong personalities. They are especially suited to act as moral or
ideological bastions for others, in short, as true leaders (Freud, 1931 p.21).
• Research by Kets de Vries and Miller suggests that :
 If there is one personality constellation to which leaders tend to gravitate it is the narcissistic
one.
 Narcissism is often the driving force behind the desire to obtain a leadership position.
Perhaps individuals with strong narcissistic personality features are more willing to undertake
the arduous process of attaining a position of power.
 Seven Characteristics (Traits) Associated with Leadership

Source: S. A. Kirkpatrick and E. A. Locke, “Leadership: Do Traits Really Matter?” Academy of Management
Executive, May 1991, pp. 48–60; T. A. Judge, J. E. Bono, R. llies, and M. W. Gerhardt, “Personality and
Leadership: A Qualitative and Quantitative Review,” Journal of Applied Psychology, August 2002, pp. 765–780.
Leadership in Contemporary times
• Leadership failures
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZCmWkQuyPc)
• Self-aware Leaders
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8NGPx4eRV0)

• 4Ps of Leaders