Leadership: a matter of perception

Abstract

Purpose

Discusses the criteria for contemporary leadership as perceived by 200 working business and management students.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the multiple, sometimes contradicting perspectives that exist about leadership, after which it presents the findings from a collection of assessment feedback from 200 working business and management students on what leadership should entail, what is indispensable for leaders, and what the main differences are between leaders and managers.

Findings

Leadership is an evolving phenomenon: not only as a research subject, but even more as an experience in our own lives.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are presented as a viewpoint in this article, even though the data were gathered over the course of three years (nine course sessions). The fact that the study participants were all residing and working in the Los Angeles area should be considered in reviewing the findings.

Practical implications

Leadership is no longer a characteristic of a precious few, but is now more commonly understood as a way of living for all of us.

Social implications

When everyone starts perceiving him‐ or herself as a leader, the general sense of responsibility may get elevated.

Originality/value

The paper presents leadership as a quality that we all can harbor and understand.

Citation

Marques, J.F. (2011), "Leadership: a matter of perception", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 4-6. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777281111108191