Leadership 1
Leadership
Tai Barber, Junior
Damian Russell, Junior
Brandon Galloway, Senior
Johnathan Lesueur, Senior
Jada Lewis, Junior
Totsyana Neely, Junior
Adrianna Mell, Junior
BMGT330 Organization Theory
Rust College
December 13, 2017
Professor Richard Frederick
Defining Leadership
According to Peter Northouse, author of Leadership Theory and Practice, leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal (Northouse, 1997). Leadership is defined as a process, because it not a trait or characteristic. This means it is a transactional event that occurs between a leader and their followers, when a group of people need motivation to act towards achieving a common goal (Northouse, 1997). This leadership definition captures the essentials of being able to inspire others and being prepared to do so (Ward, 2017). Effective leadership is based upon ideas, but won't happen unless those ideas can be communicated to others in a way that engages them enough to act as the leader wants them to act (Ward, 2017). Put even more simply, the leader is the inspiration and director of the action. He or she is the person in the group that possesses the combination of personality and leadership skills that makes others want to follow his or her direction. Leadership is ability, meaning a leader has a capacity to do something through talent and skill (Ward, 2017). Talent is natural ability and skill is proficiency gained through training and experience (Ward, 2017,).
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Laissez-Faire Leadership
Laissez-faire leadership falls in a class of its own. When there is little or no participation, the leadership style is authoritarian (Unknown, 2017). If employees are allowed to voice their opinion and share in the decision making process, the leadership style is democratic. Including these leadership styles, there are many other leadership styles (Unknown, 2017). However, a Laissez Faire leadership style is considered to be on the extreme end of the democratic leadership style spectrum. Leadership is based on trust. People who enjoy a wide degree of latitude in making decisions and working on projects alone are often most comfortable with laissez-faire leaders (Unknown, 2017). At the opposite end of the spectrum, people who work well in a rigid environment with clear directives and routine goals typically prefer authoritarian leaders. The idea of “let them do whatever they want” management implies that the manager involves him or herself as little as possible (Unknown, 2017). Laissez-faire is a capitalist perception that states that market economics function in the absence of government regulation. Laissez-faire leadership, is a type of leadership style in which leaders are hands-off and allow group members to make the decisions (Unknown, 2017). The word Laissez-Faire is French and it means “let it be” or “leave it alone.” It means leaders leave it up to their subordinates to complete responsibilities i...
