Liderazgo/Leadership

James MacGregor Burns remarked “leadership is one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth”. MYTHS.
* Leaders are born, not made
* Leader is hierarchical, need to hold aformal position
* Impossible to be a manager and a leader at the same time
* Have charisma to be and effective leader.
* Have common sense to be an effective leader

TRUTHS ABOUTLEADERSHIP
1. Leaders are made, not born
2. Leadership occurs at all levels.
3. Having a charismatic personality is not a prerequisite for leadership. Charismatic leaders are often described asvisionaries who have a strong desire for power.
4. There’s not one identifiable right way to lead an organization or group
5. Some leaders believe it’s important to make a distinction betweenthe processes of management and leadership. Managers are preoccupied with doing things the right way, whereas leaders are focused on doing the right thing.
6. Leadership is a discipline that isteachable.

DEFINITIONS OF LEADERSHIP
Mumford. Preeminence of one or a few individuals in a group in the process of control of societal phenomena. Gardner. The process of persuasion or example by whichan individual induces a group to pursue objectives held by the leader.

GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP THEORIES.
A metaphor can also be used to describe the state of leadership theory and research.There are many ways to categorize the generations of leadership theories that have evolved over time.
* Great man approaches. Leaders have natural abilities of power and influence.
* Trait. Aleader had superior abilities.
* Behavioral. There is one best way to lead.
* Situational contingency. The situation determines who will emerge as a leader. They act depending of the situation.* Influence. Is a social exchange process.
* Reciprocal. Is a shared process. Processes of collaboration, chance, etc.
* Transforming leadership theory. Convert followers into leaders....