When the coach of a gold medal–winning Olympic team, the leader of a Nobel Prize–winning medical research team, or the director of a successful play is interviewed, that person usually is being recognized as a successful leader. Successful groups depend on capable participation by each group member, but the leader’s actions are critical.

This is true because it’s difficult for any group to function without an effective leader. Somebody needs to organize group meetings, keep the group focused, encourage participation by all members, mediate conflict, and facilitate decision making. The leader need not have total control, but she or he must help group members reach a decision and achieve goals together. How do groups acquire leaders? They do so through several means, as we discuss in this section.

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