A Theoretical Philosophy of Leadership

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP

Leadership is about the relationship and utilization of influence in various communication forms applied in a process that allows individuals and groups to work together to achieve collaborative goals (Ziegler & Degrosky, 2008). If influence is the driver of leadership, then power, is the engine. Having influence and power alone is insufficient to create leadership much like having a driver and a vehicle do not automatically create transportation. There are other components necessary to make the car move from one place to another. Power and influence utilized in an ethical and efficient manner gains willing compliance and commitment. Contemporary leadership theories based on efficiently reengineering older theories helps better understand the leadership process. Modern cars operate far more efficiently than horse drawn carriages or Model-T Fords. Like fuel to the engine, shared power and influence based on relationships is inseparable from leadership. The type of vehicle depends greatly on the number of passengers or collaborators (also known as followers), the surface travelled upon (environment), and the destination (goal). This means the leaders influence, follower cooperation, and the overall purpose coalesce to create an environment where leadership achieves results.

Combining of two or more things to form or create something else is the essence of integration. It is to make something part of a larger thing or to form, coordinate, or blend into a unified whole (Merriam-Webster Incorporated, 2014). This blending and synthesis of the blended parts creates something different then each of the parts in isolation. Leadership has many components and is complex. Consequently, there are many respective leadership...

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... Academy of Management Executive, 18(1), 47-57.

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