LEADERSHIP

Leadership

Leadership

Introduction

Leadership is not a science rather it is an art, a skill that can be developed. Previously it was thought that leaders are born and not made, leadership was considered as a gift, a magic that some people are born with and only those people can become successful and charismatic leaders, who can then develop followers. However, these concepts of leadership do not exist anymore, now it is considered as a trait, a skill that can be developed and learned. Bennis & Nannus (1985) observed and explained that leadership is a quality that can be developed and rejected the concept that “leaders are born and not made”.

Definitions of leadership by Bass (1990) and Yukl (1981) reflects the concept that it is a relationship process between individuals, in which the leader influences the followers to achieve the targeted goals also keeping the integrity of the group together. Contrary to the earlier theories of leadership (Great Man theory, Trait Theory) and influenced & inspired by the concept of transformational leadership by Burns (1978) and charismatic leadership by House (1976), Bass (1990) developed the model of “transformational leadership” and stated that leadership is a constructive relationship between the leader, the followers and the goal/target/objective rather than the sole skills and traits of the leader.

Leaders can be divided into two main types, transformational and transactional. According to Curtin (2001; 239) “the transforming leader looks for potential motives in the followers, seeks to satisfy the needs and engages the full person of the followers. The result of transforming leadership is a relationship of mutual stimulation and elevation that converts followers into leaders and leaders into moral agents”. The author highlights the fact that even when a transformational leader is gone he lives in the mind of his/her followers in the form of his/her ideas and vision, exhibited by their actions. Bass & Riggio (2005) regarded transformational leadership as an expansion of transactional leadership. A transformational leader exhibits the traits and qualities of a transactional and charismatic leader.

In my opinion the concept of charismatic leadership and transformational leadership are very much overlapping and have many similarities, most important of which are envisioning, empathy and empowerment. Qualities of charismatic leaders as described by Conger and Kunungo (1998) exhibits a more transformational style of leadership such as vision, understanding the needs of members, and understanding of the environmental conditions and influencing members to rise beyond the goal by generating energy in them etc. “Charismatic and transformational leadership have many common traits” (Bass & Riggio, 2005; 05).

Emotional intelligence the term first introduced by Salovey and Mayer (1990) and then further described by Goleman (1995) further emphasizes the importance of relationship between leader and the followers and the role of feelings and self-awareness in the process of leadership. EI is the understanding of one's/leader's own emotions and feelings and that of the others/followers while marching forward towards the achievement of formulated target/goal (Goleman, 2001).

Leadership In Healthcare

As in business, aeronautical sciences, sports and politics, leadership in healthcare has also become one ...