What do you call the process of social influence in which one person is able to enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task?

Originally written by Paul Thares, former SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist.

What is the definition of leadership?  If you asked 10 people this question you will probably get 10 different answers. Below are several definitions of leadership.

Common Definitions

Bing Dictionary

Noun

  1. The action of leading a group of people or an organization.
  2. The state or position of being a leader.

Synonyms: guidance - lead - direction - management - command

Business Dictionary

Leadership definitions (2):

1. The activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to do this.

Leadership involves:

  • establishing a clear vision,
  • sharing that vision with others so that they will follow willingly,
  • providing the information, knowledge and methods to realize that vision, and
  • coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members and stakeholders.

A leader steps up in times of crisis, and is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations. Unlike management, leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching or mentoring. Someone with great leadership skills today is Bill Gates who, despite early failures, with continued passion and innovation has driven Microsoft and the software industry to success.

2. The individuals who are the leaders in an organization, regarded collectively.

WIkipedia Definition

Leadership has been described as “a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.

Leadership is "organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal". The leader may or may not have any formal authority. Studies of leadership have produced theories involving traits, situational interaction, function, behavior, power, vision and values, charisma, and intelligence, among others. Somebody whom people follow: somebody who guides or directs others.

So what is leadership?

So what is the definition of leadership? Influence, no more, no less…as John C. Maxwell (1993) states in his book Developing the Leader Within You What is leadership? Remove for a moment the moral issues behind it, and there is only one definition: Leadership is the ability to obtain followers. (p. 1) To paraphrase a proverb…If you think you are leading, and no one is following, you are only taking a walk.

Look at how you influence people around you and make a commitment to develop the ability to encourage, lead and inspire them. 

References:

  • John C. Maxwell, (1993) Developing the Leader Within You. Nashville Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
  • If Leadership is Influence, Are You a Leader?
  • Leadership, Wikipedia
  • Leadership, Business Dictionary
  • Bing Dictionary

What do you called a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others?

Leadership has been described as “a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged. Leadership is "organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal".

What is called leadership?

Leadership is the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization.

What are the 4 definitions of leadership?

Authoritative: Leaders mobilize people toward a vision. Affiliative: Leaders create emotional bonds and harmony. Democratic: Leaders build consensus through participation. Pacesetting: Leaders expect excellence and self-direction.

What is leadership in social psychology?

the processes involved in leading others, including organizing, directing, coordinating, and motivating their efforts toward achieving certain group or organizational goals.