Week 13 - Revised Definition of Leadership

Last Week's Definition: Successfully learning how to collaborate with and direct somebody or somebodies in order to accomplish a personal and/or professional goal in a way that exercises the biologically and socially developed strengths of both leader and followers.

Revised Definition: Successfully learning how to collaborate with and inspire somebody or somebodies in order to accomplish a personal and/or professional goal in a way that exercises the biologically and socially developed strengths of both leader and followers.

In my revised definition of leadership this week, I added the word "inspire" in place of "direct". Providing inspiration as a leader has been the topic of a number of past readings, and after reading "Interacting in Teams and Groups" I finally recognize the importance of that ability. In the excerpt, the topic of conflict within a group is discussed and how it is a normal thing for members to go through. In order to overcome it and move on, however, groups must be able to work the problem out (Komives, Lucas, & McMahon, 1998). Without being able to inspire others to get past their grudges and work toward the common goal, a leader cannot be successful.

Sources:

Komives, S. R., Lucas, N., & McMahon, T. R. (1998). "Interacting in Teams and Groups." Exploring Leadership: For college students who want to make a difference (pp. 165 - 194). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.