Personal Leadership and the 21st Century

The study of leadership and its application is constantly evolving with new theories and ideas always being developed. A common use of the study of leadership is its practical application to the organizational setting and the ability to effectively lead in order to take full advantage of the individual team members’ capabilities to benefit the team as a whole. With the organizational context in mind, management and leadership are often compared, contrasted, and ultimately connected to create the optimal managerial style. This paper will explore the similarities and differences between management and leadership, how leadership has evolved from the 20th century into the 21st century, and an explanation of the ability to learn to be an effective leader as well as the natural leadership capability. Before any of this analysis is discussed, it is essential that we define leadership and identify what it actually implies.

The concept of leadership is a very subjective topic; therefore, there is no one correct definition. There have been numerous studies attempting to identify what exactly leadership entails, one of which being that of Richard Daft. He defines leadership as “an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purposes.” This definition contains a number of aspects that are important to identify. First, it is important to note that it is a relationship between leader and follower, rather than simply an association or affiliation. It is also important to recognize that leadership is meant to reflect the shared purposes of both the leader and the follower, not just the leader. As this paper continues, it is vital to continue reflecting upon this definition and its key elements.

Over the past number of years, the comparison of leadership to management has tended to give management a bad name. Organizations have emphasized the need for “leadership” rather than “management.” This,...