LITERATURE REVIEW OF LEADERSHIP

Literature Review of Leadership Styles



Literature Review of Leadership Styles

Introduction

Leadership is a concept used in many different contexts with an array of meanings. Accordingly, there is a lack of common understanding as to what leadership is and what constitutes good leadership. In fact, a Google search of leadership definition leads to more than 22 million results. The purpose of this chapter is to offer some clarity to the concept of leadership and provide a thoughtful discussion on leadership perspectives and models that can be identified as progressive and effective for both personal and organizational success.

Leadership is an important concept for professionals working in nonprofit organizations. The discussions in this chapter highlight how leadership is a process that takes place in all aspects of an organization, and professionals can influence leadership in the organization and larger community from any level of an organization (Bennis, 2007). To engage in leadership or enhance and demonstrate leadership skills, one must not be the CEO or a member of the board of directors. Anyone can engage in leadership through being a committed, engaged, and hard-working member of the organization who is in touch with and acts in line with the organizational purpose and values.

Progressive Leadership Style

James MacGregor Burns, a pioneer in leadership studies, introduced the concept of transforming leadership style. Transforming leadership style stresses the mutual, reciprocal relationship between a leader and followers, whereby the motivation and the morality of both the leader and the followers are raised to higher levels. This relationship results in higher potential in both parties as well as greater capacity for real change. Transforming leadership style is contrasted with transactional leadership style, which is a relationship based on a transaction or exchange between a leader and follower, such as giving a raise for meeting certain performance standards. This conceptualization of leadership style served as a guide and foundation for many other leadership style models. Burns challenged leadership scholars and practitioners to look beyond the role of the leader alone and instead focus on the reciprocal relationship between leader and follower (Bass & Avolio, 1990). He also introduced the concept of morals and ethics into the leadership style conversation.

Paradigm Shift

Rost (1991), following Burns's lead, introduced the concept of postindustrial leadership and called for a paradigm shift in how we should view leadership style. He called the leader-centric perspectives on leadership style industrial perspectives and advocated for new ways of thinking that fit our ever-changing and complex world with shifting values. Postindustrial leadership style stresses the mutual relationship of influence between leader and followers, the importance of followers being active players in the leadership process, striving for a substantive and transforming change that is mutually agreed on and reflects a shared purpose. Together, transforming leadership style and Rost's postindustrial leadership provide a strong foundation for a new way of viewing leadership style that challenges a leader-centric focus and has the potential for significant, transforming impact.

Servant Leadership Style

The perspective of servant leadership style stresses that a servant leader is ...