What is the

leader for ?
MERCIER Anouk, SEGALIN Enora, LECUYER Clara, VITTORI Julie, VERPILLEUX
Juliette, PERRIN Laurie
 Introduction
Summary
Concepts and
examples

Limits of the concepts

Other studies

Our opinion
Introduction

Text by Thierry Weil, 2002

Takes up theories and models put in place by

Jim March.
Common characteristics of a leader
Deconstruction of the "ideal charismatic
leader"
Econonomists' theory
Leaders must be smart and think rationally to make decisions

March's theory
Based on observations
Leaders' daily tasks consist on applying procedures
without thinking rationally
Tries to create models based on the procedures that the
leaders follow.

The department store example

After years of experience, department supervisors apply
automatically processes
Behavioral theory: everything happens as if the individuals
is following stables and developed procedures
 Problems

Participants Solutions
The
theory of
the bin
Why are we disappointed by our chiefs?

THE FACTOR OF LUCK

Chiefs are chosen based on a preconception that
they gave on the day of their selection. This is due
to the luck they had on that particular day.
Why chiefs are not especially smart?
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
THEORY RESULTS
THEORY

The 3 hypothesises are

Candidates have different
compatible, we cannot select
capabilities
one

Candidates have the same

capabilities with different
experience opportunities
Candidates have the same
capabilities
Despie their merit, candidates
will have different career paths
The factor of luck still exists and
is accentuated when candidates
are at the top of the career


Extend the observation period Good when promoted or reveal themselves Ascension his most of the time due to lucky
to be disappointing event that happened before and not
capabilities.
 Does the chief is and must be
conformist/conventional?

- Leaders are conformist

- If the environment changes the behaviour will also change
 Organizations can function well
without their leaders being very smart
“The qualities required to conquer power are not
March & exactly the same as those that are useful to
exercise it”
Olsen

Myth Belief of the significant role of a chief.

Example Presidential elections

 The leader interpreter of history

However, the leader gives

According to March leaders
meaning to the
are not irreplaceable
organisation's destiny


OTHER STUDIES

Leader and leadership Book of Erhard

theory (Fred Fiedler) Friedberg: decision

making

Power and position and Man of the theory of

managerial power leadership
theory

Carlyle vision: class of
Rational and bounded hero
rationality within
organization
Limit of March's research
OUR OPINION
Thank you for
listening