Recently the concept of leadership has gained a great deal of attention, to
the extent that many people assert that "leading" and "managing" are two are
completely different concepts (an assertion with which I disagree). On-line
forums (ARNOVA, ODNET, TRDEV, HRNET, etc.) sometimes include discussions
about defining leadership, many times resulting in very grand definitions
that make leaders seem like superhuman beings.
Much of my PhD studies were focused on literature about leadership. Over
time, I came to notice how confusing it can be for readers of this
literature because a) the literature can be very emotionally charged and b)
some writers often interchange different definitions regarding the term
"leadership" and do so in the same article/publication without even being
aware that they are not being consistent with their definitions. .
So, to help people maintain some clarity and perpsective while reading
literature about leadership, I wrote a set of guidelines in a free, on-line
article, which includes the following sections:
1. Potential for Confusion Among Readers of Leadership Literature
2. "Leading": A Basic Definition as a Starting Point
3. Where the Confusion Often Starts: Traits Versus Roles
4. Writers Have Varying Views on "Leading" and "Managing"
5. Writers Have Varying Views on Universal Versus Relative Perspectives of
Leadership
6. Writers Might Interchange Terms "Managing" and "Management" in Same
Article
7. Writers Might Vary Modes of Time in Same Article
8. Writers Might Mix Reference to Traits and Roles in Same Article
9. Writers Sometimes Vary Scope of the Term "Leader" in Same Article
10. Is Sometimes Difficult to Glean Clear Message About Good Leadership
11. Is Sometimes Difficult to Glean Consistent Message About Good Leadership
12. Suggestions to Completely Understand Literature About Leadership
The article is in the Free Management Library at
http://www.managementhelp.org/ldrship/ldng_lit.htm
======================================================
Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD; 763-971-8890
--- step-by-step guide to leadership and supervision of nonprofit staff
---
http://www.authenticityconsulting.com/pubs/Mgmnt/MS_pubs.htm
=======================================================