Leadership Defined

Abstract

Researchers have developed numerous definitions, theories, and paradigms in attempting to understand the qualities and traits of effective leadership. Thus, leadership studies reflect a variety of disciplinary approaches: the empirical and qualitative methodologies of sociology, communication science, psychology, political science, history, and organizational and management science. In addition, a crowded field of generalists has taken concepts from the academic research to offer practical lessons for business and corporate leaders.¹ In this study, black intellectual and social thought also informs the analysis of the profiled leaders’ management styles, the strategic directions pursued, the philosophical and political underpinnings guiding decision making, the programmatic interests and commitments, and the interactions with constituents, staff, and peers.²