Leadership Theories

Leadership theory is one of the most discussed areas of management, and many different approaches are taken to the topic. It is often suggested that leaders possess innate personal qualities that distinguish them from others: greater man theory and trait theory express this idea. Other theories, such as Behaviorist theories of leadership, suggest that leadership is defined by action and behavior, rather than by personality.

A related idea is that leadership style is not fixed but should be adapted to different situations, and this is explored in contingency theory and situational theory. A further branch of research that examines relationships between leaders and followers is found in transactional, transformational, attribution, and power and influence theories of leadership.

Perhaps the most simple model of leadership is one embraced by Rare Air Leaders: action-centered leadership, which focuses on what an effective leader actually does.