The Meaning of Leadership

As we head into the new year, it’s time to go back to basics: How do you define leadership?

Vast amounts of information are available pertaining to the definition and components of leadership. It is a complex topic, based on the challenges of human behavior—that varying, uncontrollable and often mysterious element that makes leading far more than following guidelines.

Great leaders know that there are crucial skillsets to be mastered early in their career, and others that take time and experience to enhance. Knowing just the theory isn’t enough to be successful. Leadership success relies on a blend of perspectives and skills, all aimed at bringing out the best in everyone.

But many people embark on the leadership path with an unfortunate mindset. Self-serving mindsets have contributed to the high degree of employee dissatisfaction and disengagement that we face today. Some experts argue that this trend hasn’t changed much in several generations, and despite the fact the fact that many of us know better, it persists nonetheless.

A majority of leaders don’t receive leadership training, according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey. Many years of data reveal the flaws in traditional leadership thinking. Employees have long indicated what leader character traits engage or compel, and which alienate and cause them to leave.

Contrary to old-school thinking, leadership does not succeed when leaders focus on “what’s in it for me.” Leadership prospers only when it aims to benefit the organization rather than the individual. This bashes the notion that leadership is about the four Ps: Power, Prestige, Perks and Privileges.

True leadership is not about titles, seniority, authority, or compensation packages. It’s not about promotions, accolades, or being admired. These self-centered behaviors alienate employees and cause multiple dysfunctions throughout the organization.

Leadership author and speaker Kevin Kruse defines leadership as, “a process of social influence which maximizes the efforts of others toward the achievement of a goal.” To put it simply, leadership is the ability to compel people to follow a vision. Leaders employ skills to unify people and guide them along a plan that offers a prosperous future.

Most experts regard leading as the ability to deal with people, visions and ideas, while managing is the ability to coordinate things or tasks. It is widely accepted that effective leadership requires a blend of the following skills:

• Leadership skills
• Management skills
• People skills

What do you think? How do you define leadership? I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me via my website, LinkedIn and Twitter.