The New Age of Leadership What is a

The New Age of Leadership

What is a New Age in Leadership? contemporary definition of leadership. Trait Theories Contingency and Situational Theories Behavioral Theories Transformational, Cultural, and Symbolic Theories Power and Influence Theories Current views of Leadership (the New Age)

A “Paradigm Shift” in Leadership Thinking • In the late 1980 s and early 1990 s, a small group of leadership scholars began to talk about a “new age” in leadership. • Their ideas were radically (very, extremely) different from the other ideas on leadership. • Older ideas and theories are considered of the “industrial” age • The new ideas are considered “post-industrial” • There is a huge difference between industrial and post-industrial thinking • Joseph Rost is one of the biggest contributors to this new ideas.

What is Leadership? • Over the past century (100 years), leadership scholars have had a desire to define leadership. • They tried many times to answer the question “what is leadership? ” • They used ideas such as “trait theories” or “behavioral theories” but were not successful in properly defining leadership. • Thousands of studies, hundreds of theories and definitions, but nothing seemed to work. The studies only seemed to reveal the complexities of leadership. …until the “new age of leadership”

Joseph Rost’s Definition of Leadership “Leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes that reflect their mutual purposes. ” – Joseph Rost, 1991

The Four Components (parts) of Rost’s Definition 1. The relationship is based on influence • People have freewill • Both leaders and followers can be influenced—the influence is multi-directional • Relationship not based on authority or coercion 2. Leaders and the followers are the people in this relationship • Both leaders and followers are practicing leadership • Both leaders and followers are using influence 3. Leaders and followers intend real changes • Leaders and followers seek to make changes that are significant or substantial 4. The changes the leaders and followers intend reflect their mutual purposes • The changes made are desired by the leader and the followers, not just the leader

Leadership vs. Leader Development In the past, training managers to be good leaders was considered important (even today, it is common). Training programs were designed to improve the skills of the leaders Rost, following the post-industrial paradigm, has a different opinion. Today, the focus of training and education should be on teaching leadership Must teach both leaders and followers how to work together Should teach the concept of shared leadership (we will learn more about this soon)

The Post-Industrial View This view requires (demands) a shift away from these thoughts: • Leadership is what leaders do • Leadership is good management Instead, we should consider these seven conclusions from Rost: 1. Leadership is more about relationship than an individual 2. The leadership process is distinct and different from management 3. The leadership focuses on the interaction of leaders and followers, not just the behavior of leaders 4. Leadership seeks mutual purposes rather than just the wishes of the leader 5. Leadership desires deep and real change 6. Influence tactics are the only acceptable behaviors 7. The leadership process is something that is not done all the time

Industrial Vs. Post-Industrial Leadership is… Industrial Post-Industrial Leadership is… Individual (about the leader) Relationship centered Good Management A process much different from management Leader behaviors and traits Leaders and “collaborators” interacting Doing the leader’s wishes Doing what both leaders and collaborators wish About using any means (power, coercion, etc…) About using influence behaviors only Safe Risk-taking Control Freedom Stability Change and movement Leading weak followers Working together with strong followers Using coercive influence Never using coercive influence Top-down Empowering others Results-oriented Process-oriented

The Role of Followers • In the industrial age there was very little recognition of the role of followers • It was assumed that followers were not important • However, the view of followers changes with post-industrial thinking • Followers are put on an equal level with leaders in the leadership process • Leaders and followers interact in a power-sharing environment