Do great leaders come in assigned or emergent positions
What makes an individual a great leader? Is it the title he or she holds in an organization or is it how one influences others within a group or setting? This is a question that many people have debated and contemplated for years. Today we will discuss the differences between the two leadership styles and the pro’s and con’s that they possess.
The first form of leadership we will discuss is assigned leadership. The assigned leadership form is leadership that is based on occupying a position within an organization or company (Nothouse 2016). Examples of assigned leadership are team leaders, plant managers, department heads, directors, and administrators. In many instances people in this leadership form are given their titles or positions by a supervisor or anyone who hires them to do a specific job (Northouse 2016).
The second form of leadership we will discuss is called emergent leadership. The emergent leadership form is when others perceive an individual as the most influential member within a group or an organization, regardless of what the individuals title may be (Northouse 2016). A person acquires emergent leadership through other people in the organization who support and accept that individual’s behavior. This particular leadership form is not assigned by position; but rather it emerges over a period through communication (Northouse 2016).
Next, we will address the strengths of each leadership form. In our first form of assigned leadership the individual occupying a position that allows he or she to become a leader, particularly of an organization or company. While the assigned leadership position might allow an individual to create or apply policy, rules, and regulations, this individual does not always become the real leader in a particular setting. One acquiring assigned leadership may not necessarily give that person influence, support, or acceptance with the organization. In the case of emergent leadership some of the positive communication behaviors include being verbally involved, being informed, seeking others opinion, initiating new ideas, and being firm but not rigid (Northouse 2016).
An example of a great leader in our history who possesed emergent leadership skills was Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a magnetic, transformational leader who greatly influenced his people to fight against apartheid and bring peace to South Africa. Mandela won the nobel peace prize in 1993 and gained worldwide respect for his wonderful accomplishments (https://www.biography.com/political-figure/nelson-mandela 2019)
In conclusion of this study we have examine the differences between assigned leadership form and emergent leadership form. Both styles may be considered leaders in there own right and each brings their own unique strengths and benefits that the other does not have. In my final analysis I believe that the best leaders in a organization should have both the assigned and the emergent leadership forms if all possible. People possessing these forms plays an intrigal part in maintaining and helping an organization run to it maximum capacity.
https://www.biography.com/political-figure/nelson-mandela (2019)
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.