Chapter 10: Leadership and Decision Making in Groups

Leadership Qualities

All types of leaders—visionary, transformative, and charismatic—must have the ability to persuade others to their plan or way of thinking. They must be able to speak persuasively (Chapter 16) in a way that resonates with their audience.

When leaders are able to adapt their styles to the needs of the groups they guide, they can enhance the productivity and satisfaction of group members in their day-to-day activities. But there are also leaders who have unique qualities that enable them to effect change on a larger scale—be it reforming a school, turning a small company into a huge, multinational corporation, coaching a winning sports team, or inspiring a massive social movement. Let’s examine some of these unique qualities.

Vision. A principal at a failing high school might have an idea in her mind of what her school would look like if it were functioning more effectively. She might envision students who are engaged in cooperative projects, an active PTA organization, a new library or computer lab, or mentoring partnerships with members of the surrounding business community. Visionary leaders are able to picture a new or different reality from what currently exists and consider the bigger, long-range picture of the group’s or organization’s future (Sashkin & Burke, 1990). They do not just consider how best to reach certain goals, but they also question the very goals themselves and are able to empower group members to take some risks, explore possibilities, and develop creative ideas (Uhl-Bien, 2006). Of course, when leading groups on a day-to-day basis, such questioning may stall the ability to move forward on basic tasks. But when attempting major reforms or trying to get to the root of serious problems, having this kind of vision is a key ingredient of leadership effectiveness (Bennis & Nanus, 1985).
ACTIVIST CELEBRITIES like environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio use their charisma to bring about social change and awareness for causes. JIM RUYMEN/UPI/Landov

Charisma. Although vision may be important for many kinds of leadership, other leaders may be effective because they have an engaging personality and dynamic speaking style. Charismatic leaders are vibrant, likable communicators who generate a positive image among their followers. Their charisma can motivate people and make them respond receptively to their leader’s ideas (Bono & Ilies, 2006; Cherulnik, Donley, Wiewel, & Miller, 2001). The principal, for example, might at a town meeting speak enthusiastically about the school and her plans, compliment the community, and maybe even tell some tasteful jokes. Her dynamism could help motivate her faculty, her students, their parents, and community leaders to embrace and work toward her goals.
Initiative. Our principal may have vision or charisma (or both), but to make major reforms at her school, she is also likely to need the initiative and energy to make these changes a real possibility. Transformative leaders see change, adaptation, and growth as the means for groups and organizations to survive. They spark change not only by having a new vision but also by conveying that vision clearly to others, showing real passion for the work ahead, and energizing the group toward meeting the goals set forth in the vision. If the principal is able to change her school from a failing one to a highly successful one (that is, to bring reality in line with her vision), she would have to ensure that things actually happen—for example, that her incentives or programs actually make students and teachers work harder and that the hard work results in higher levels of engagement and performance. As Northhouse (2012) explains, “transformational leadership involves an exceptional form of influence that moves followers to accomplish more than what is usually expected of them” (p. 169).

You have likely noticed that many of our most celebrated leaders, like Martin Luther King, Jr., Alice Paul, Winston Churchill, and Mahatma Ghandi, possess all three of these qualities. Dr. King, for example, had a clear vision for the United States and eloquently articulated his seminal “I Have a Dream” speech. He was also charismatic—a gifted writer and speaker with a magnetic personality and a presence that inspired Americans to join him in demanding equal rights for all citizens. And, finally, he was a transformative leader: he motivated those inside the movement to work hard for civil rights, while changing the way others thought about race, rights, and equality. In a similar vein, our effective high school principal may exhibit vision, charisma, and initiative as she successfully transforms her school.