Strategic Business Leadership

Question 1

What is leadership?

Answer 1

The behaviour of an individual directing the activities of a group towards a shared goal.

Question 2

Five controversies around the definition of leadership

Answer 2

1. Specialized role or shared influence
2. Type of influence process
3. Purpose of influence attempts
4. Reason or emotion
5. Direct and indirect leadership

Question 3

Approaches to leadership

Answer 3

1. Trait approach = leadership is successful if leaders possess certain traits from birth
2. Behaviour approach = leadership is successful because of what leaders actually do e.g. resolve conflicts, recognise opportunities
3. Power-influence approach = the extent to which leaders use power/influence to get things done
4. Situational approach = leadership success is based on several variables
5. Integrative approach = uses more than one approach to leadership