Abstract
The very concept of leadership is amorphous and elusive. It is hard to define in a manner that is satisfactory to everyone. There is, however, consensus among academics and practitioners that leadership is highly situational and contextual: the leader who succeeds in one context at one point in time will not necessarily succeed in a different context at the same time, or in the same context at a different time, or in different cultures, or even with a different group of followers. Moreover, most writers agree that leadership can be taught and learned, even though others believe that certain leadership talents are inborn. This is an ongoing debate that we shall certainly address.
It struck me long ago that we make an exaggerated distinction between leaders and followers. The ability to attract and inspire followers is part of the very definition of leadership, and leaders without followers quickly fade away, however exciting their vision.
—Warren Bennis
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© 2010 Farid A. Muna and Ziad A. Zennie
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Muna, F.A., Zennie, Z.A. (2010). On Leadership, Followership, and Culture. In: Developing Multicultural Leaders. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230299016_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230299016_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
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