EVOLUTION OF CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING LEADERSHIP

Abstract

The article analyzes the evolution of conceptual approaches to understanding leadership in the historical perspective and identifies the key elements of leadership in the works of foreign scholars. The author identifies the main elements of leadership. First, leadership is viewed as a set of personality qualities (both innate and acquired) that distinguish an individual from the crowd and determine his/her potential to influence on a group. This approach to leadership theory is reflected in the heroic theory, psychoanalysis, trait theory, charismatic leadership, the Big Five trait model, and emotional leadership. The second element is the understanding of leadership as a result of interaction between the leader and his followers, where the perception of this interaction serves as a stimulus for activities aimed at achieving specific group goals. This aspect is revealed through behavioral, situational theories; transactional and transformational leadership; leadership as service; attributional theory; the theory of «mediated leadership»; the concept of «contact leadership». The third element is the art of delegation and interaction to achieve common goals, meaning leadership as collective cooperation. This is highlighted in the theories of «distributed leadership», «collective leadership» and «shared leadership». The fourth element defines leadership as self-development, a learning process, and adaptation to achieve personal goals, meaning the ability to manage one's own life and development (the theory of «internal leadership», «self-leadership», the concept of «contact leadership»). The author emphasizes that further research will focus on studying the relevance and specific aspects of leadership development among self-employed individuals.