What is a Leader
Leadership is not always easy to define. It can also be challenging to understand the distinction between leadership and management.
Leadership may be both formal and informal. When we think of a ‘leader’, we often mean someone who holds a formal leadership position, which is recognised in their job title, or in how others regard them. But it is also possible to be a leader because of how you behave, or because of the position into which you are pushed by circumstances.
The other difficult issue for many people is to identify the difference between leadership and management. One distinction is that leaders use vision, while managers plan. Another is in the difference between innovators and administrators.
Theories of leadership
There are a number of theories of leadership that have been developed over the years.
Initial theories suggested that leaders require certain traits that are inborn. In essence, it says that leaders are born, not made. However, contemporary leadership trait theory is more nuanced and suggests that leaders are more likely to possess certain traits that make them successful in their roles.
Developing your leadership style
There are also many theories about leadership styles. These styles are made up of different sets of behaviours and tools that a leader an employ. An effective leader must understand how and when to apply these different styles based on the environment and context.
Complete this questionnaire to determine your leadership style:
Becoming a leader is only the start. Leaders need to develop and learn, to improve the way that they lead.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Entrepreneurial leadership is a special sub-set of leadership styles. It is characterised by responding quickly to chance factors and opportunities, as well as taking on additional risk. A leader who adopts this style or mode of thinking will not be able to have fully formed plans in place in order to capitalise on an opportunity. The leader will need to be adaptive and develop plans on the go.
By their very nature, entrepreneurial leaders are risk takers and wiling to disrupt the status quo. They are constantly scanning the horizon for opportunities and ready to think creatively about how to take advantage of these chances. A leader may not always want to adopt this type of leadership style; however, there may be situations where a leader would benefit from thinking more like an entrepreneur.
The following resources provide information and guidance on theories, practices and skills useful related to entrepreneurial leadership:
A key skill for an entrepreneur is the ability to be innovative. An entrepreneurial leader needs to foster a work environment that promotes idea generation, creativity, as well as, fostering a safe place to make mistakes. These leaders recognise the potential for identifying more effective ways of working at both an organisational and individual level that otherwise may go unrealised. The following resources explain the benefits it can bring and what managers, leaders and organisations can do to promote and encourage innovation within their work environment:
Leaders and social responsibility
Another important aspect of leadership is social responsibility. Although a leader is under pressure to deliver an organisation's vision, it is necessary to recognise that the end does not always justify the means. Leaders need to be operating in an ethically and socially responsible way.
Corporate social responsibility is just one of the many terms that is used to describe the actions that an organisation can take in order to treat its stakeholders, the environment and wider society with respect. These resources discuss the concepts of social responsibility and ethical leadership and how individuals can develop into socially aware and principle-centred leaders: