Question

Discuss the idea behind the phrase, “Leadership is an activity, not a position.” Please conduct research to support your findings, citing at least one scholarly resource (in addition to the required reading) in APA format.

Answer 1

‘Leadership is an activity, not a position’. This is because leadership is a verb. As an activity leadership involves motivating people and pushing them to work to the best of their ability so that the common goals and objectives are realized. The primary activity of a leader is to provide a fillip, a momentum to other people so that they are able to function efficiently and meet challenges heads on.

Leadership is not at all about position as a leader cannot always function and act by asserting authority. A leader will not be able to accomplish anything by asserting authority. To accomplish a leader has to listen to other people, connect with them and learn about the situations of other people so as to be able to direct and lead them properly.

It is a fact that anyone can lead from any level within an organization and just not have to hold a position of authority to guide, direct and lead other people. A research analyst with a specialized skill can lead and guide team members in a project that requires that specialized skill and which no other team members possess. The research analyst does not have a position of authority, still he is able to lead others through his activity.

References:

1. Ashford, S and DeRue, S. (2010, April 29). Leadership – it’s (much) more than position. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2010/04/leadership-its-much-more-than.html

(The scholarly resource provided above is of Harvard Business Review)