dership is defined with respect to either function, personality, or behaviors. A common definition of leadership that encompasses each of these variables indirectly was also provided by Pierce and Newstrom: "leadership is an interaction between two or more members of a group that often involves a structuring or restructuring of the situation and the perceptions and expectations of the members."
Business leadership is different from management and tends to complement rather than replace management. John P. Kotter states that "leadership is about coping with change" whereas "management is about coping with complexity." Leadership is therefore seen as a key element in the competitive world of contemporary business. It is in this general background that the present study is positioned.
Purpose of the Report
The purpose of this report is to draw upon the theoretical and empirical literature to identify the key characteristics of the successful and effective business leader. It will be argued that leaders operate "in a multidimensional landscape populated by various groups with different beliefs, values, emotions, and desires. Leaders, like road builders, need to thoroughly understand their territory before proceeding." Key characteristics of leaders will be identified as including excellent communication, motivational and role modeling skills, along with the capacity to articulate and achieve a vision.
Any number of leadership theories has been proposed in the literature. Only two theories will be discussed herein due to the relative brevity of the report. One of the most significant of these theories is known as situational or contingency leadership. Fred E. Fiedler described the contingency model as holding that the effectiveness of group performance is contingent upon (a) the leader's motivational pattern and (b) the degree to which the situation gives the leader power and influence. ...