Leadership

1- INTRODUCTION:

2- OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON LEADERSHIP:

Bennis (1998) advises that the fact is no one element makes a company admirable. But if you were forced to pick the one that makes the most difference, you’d pick leadership.

Leadership takes place in government, business, organizations, schools and houses. The primary aim is to influence and motivate others to accomplish a specific goal. As noted by Kotter (1988) leadership has always been and probably always will be an important factor in human affairs.

It is not very easy to identify an exact or unique meaning of leadership. It has been defined in different ways by different writers:

“the process of influencing the activities of an organized group in its efforts toward goal-setting and goal achievement” (Buchanan & Huczynski, 2007,p695).

“leadership is the ability to inspire confidence and support among the people who are needed to achieve organization goals” (Dubrin,2004, p3)

the principal dynamic force that motivate and coordinates the organization in the accomplishment of its objectives (Bass,1990).

“A willing to take the blame” (Joe Montana).

The importance of leadership among writers has been increasing in the two decades even though they concentrate on different aspects. For example Kotter (1999) states that leadership is the key to producing and maintaining the successful organization whereas Bennis (1989) focuses on the character of leadership and its positioning in organization. In addition, Stewardship theory shows followers as being pro organizational, collective and trustworthy (Davis, et al, 1997).

Giving orders is not the only way to be a leader. The leader should respect and appreciate his followers to ensure higher outcomes through strong relationships. “Followers show far greater effectiveness when they are led by competent leaders and similarly followers show better and higher moral reasoning when they are led by leaders who are morally mature...