What is leadership? This is a question many have tried to answer, offering various definitions. John Maxwell, perhaps one of the best-known popular authors on the subject, famously summarized it as influence: “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” Others emphasize that for leadership to be effective, relationships are essential (Kouzes & Posner); others emphasize certain traits (Thomas Carlyle); while still others analyze effectiveness through various lenses, such as transformational leadership (Burns), servant leadership (Greenleaf), or adaptive leadership (Heifetz). Still others delve into the various components of leadership skills and competencies, seeking to understand how one can become an effective leader (Stephen Covey). Everything from great man traits to various leadership theories seeks Continue reading →