Nature Of Leadership Article

PAGES
3
WORDS
764
Cite

¶ … Michael McKinney examines the nature of leadership. He also explores what constitutes a leader, and provides two historical examples of leaders. McKinney also dissects what characteristics are missing from what passes for many of today's leaders, and finishes with a call to action for every person to become a leader in some sense. McKinney provides several clear definitions of leadership as well as examples of how a leader performs. He emphasizes the element of custodianship, pointing out that the custodian upholds those principles which are best for everyone. According to McKinney, the custodian does this even though those principles may not necessarily be in the custodian's best interests.

McKinney sites two historical examples of custodial leadership, Cincinnatus of the 5th century BC and George Washington. Cincinnatus served as dictator for exactly sixteen days, just long enough to defeat enemies of the Roman Republic (Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus, 2011). Centuries later George Washington would be compared to Cincinnatus. Both leaders selflessly answered the call to lead their countrymen in time of war, then voluntarily relinquished the reins of power once they had performed their duties. Their actions exemplified the leadership traits of...

...

He further argues that leadership is not only about a vision of ideals and service performed for others, but that it includes "raising the sights and holding the focus of those we lead such that they are empowered to reach their potentials" (McKinney, 2000).
This essay also examines other less satisfactory models of leadership, including one McKinney designates nouveau-stewardship, which has as its guiding principle the notion that others have the knowledge and answers within themselves to be responsible stewards. McKinney points out the fallacy in this reasoning, namely that human beings are not their own best source of wisdom, because people act from their own "biases, desires, perceptions, and distractions" (McKinney, 2000). True leadership must necessarily help followers to create a more accurate and constructive view of reality, one that represents the larger picture.

In his thoroughness, McKinney also further describes what leadership is not, it is not consensus-building. Rather, it is the ability to hold values outside oneself and…

Sources Used in Documents:

Reference List

Dwight D. Eisenhower quotes. (2011). Brainy Quote. Retrieved June 18, 2011 from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dwight_d_eisenhower_4.html

Elliott, M. (2009). No charisma? Don't worry, you can still be a leader. Time [Online]. Retrieved June 18, 2011 from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1909616,00.html

Lucius Quinctus Cincinnatus. (2011). Retrieved June 18, 2011 from http://www.biography-center.com/biographies/18368-Cincinnatus_Lucuis_Quinctius.html

McKinney, M. (2000). The focus of leadership: Choosing service over self-interest. Retrieved June 18, 2011 from http://www.leadershipnow.com/pvservice.html


Cite this Document:

"Nature Of Leadership" (2011, June 18) Retrieved April 24, 2024, from
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/nature-of-leadership-118402

"Nature Of Leadership" 18 June 2011. Web.24 April. 2024. <
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/nature-of-leadership-118402>

"Nature Of Leadership", 18 June 2011, Accessed.24 April. 2024,
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/nature-of-leadership-118402

Related Documents

So many times leaders are faced with situations in which one particular leadership theory does not always fit. Every employee within a company is different from the next and thus should be dealt with on an individual basis. This type of leadership allows for the manager to assess the current situation and set goals for the outcome. It then allows them to observe and monitor the progress of the

Leadership -- Al Gini Leadership is more than management; hence not all managers are leaders. Leadership involves the capacity to motivate workers and employee to work towards a common goal. Leaders also influence the employees towards certain behaviors they want. The modern organization should therefore acquire the best team of managers, who should have leadership traits and accept changes in the organization when necessary, including technological change. Management and leadership are

Leadership, Team Building & Communication Leadership theories continue to evolve as the complexity, nature and scope of organizations shift from command-and-control structures to more agile frameworks for managing change. The pace of disruptive innovation is accelerating, forcing reliance on the latest theories of leadership to keep organizations competitive in rapidly changing markets. The intent of this analysis is to evaluate the traditional, contemporary and emerging leadership theories and interpersonal forms of

Leadership Theories and Approaches Leadership According to Kurt Lewin, all leaders fall into three basic categories: autocratic, participative, and democratic. I would describe my current supervisor as basically autocratic in her demeanor, although in a moderately benevolent way. I work as a respiratory therapist in a hospital. My supervisor must ensure that patients are seen in a timely fashion, and that all medical personnel comply with basic safety regulations. She oversees scheduling

Leadership Theories The role of leadership in business organizations Many leadership theories have been applied, in different organizations, to help in attainment of the objectives of the organization. Leadership theories are many, but the most common include the trait theory, which assumes that different people inherit the qualities and also traits of leadership and later suit for the position of leadership. The characteristics related to the trait theory are behavioral and personality

Leadership and Organizations: Bill Gates and Steve Jobs The theories of leadership date way back to when dynasties existed and people were led by kings. The leader took control and made decisions whenever disputes arose. The question of leadership qualities may not have been all that important then, but people still considered some to be better leaders than others. It would be prudent to begin by giving the fundamentals of the