The Evolution of Leadership: A Comparative Study

What makes a leader? The definition of a leader and what make them so, is quite elusive. Throughout history, theories of leadership and the interpretation of what a leader is and how they lead has evolved from fundamental thought to complex thesis. Just because someone has power and position does not mean that person is a leader. A leader has many attributes that vary between time and perspective, but title is not one of them. A leader facilitates change. Whether it is at a family level, business, or nation, the leader must organize, educate, team build, and facilitate transformation from one existence to another. The leader must emerge from whatever group environment in which he exists and set goals and the path to accomplish them (Fatt). Leadership theory traces historical transitions in the organization of work and the means of production and reflects the moods of society. While each theory contributes something to our understanding of leadership it also derives from a previous model. Leadership study is a field that evolves with changing social and historical events.

Every leader has attributes or personality to make them stand out from the crowd. Historical perspective, human accomplishments, and profound events have shaped an idea called the GreatMan theory. This theory looks at traits that display the actions of the leader once a situation presents itself for the leader to take command. According to this model the traits of the leader is the catalyst for the person to act in a certain way that defines leadership. (Leadership) This would suggest that leaders are born not made. Many in the medical field have concluded that there are certain biological factors or brain functions that decide who will be a follower or leader. Their idea is that the higher the serotonin, the higher the ability to lead. (Cawthon) Whether the leader is born with the traits or they are biologically preordained to acquire them, the Great Man theory is a catalyst for leadership theorist to broaden the definition of the leader.