Perspective on Leadership in small groups

PERSPECTIVE ON LEADERSHIP IN SMALL GROUPS

By Doug Crawshaw

Leadership

Influence exerted through communication that helps a group achieve goals

Performance of a leadership function by an member

Power

The potential to influence behavior of others

Derived from such bases as the ability to reward and punish, expertise, legitimate title or position, and personal attraction

Leader

A person who uses communication to influence others to meet group goals and needs

Any person identified by members of a group as leader

Designated as leader by election or appointment

Designated Leader

A person appointed or elected to a position as leader of a small group

Leadership Emergence

The process by which someone emerges as the leader of an initially leaderless group in which all members start out as equals

Self-Monitoring

An individual’s ability to monitor people’s reactions to his/her behavior and adjust in response

Approaches

Traits-assumes tat leaders have certain traits that distinguish them from followers or members of a group

Contingency-assumes that the appropriate leadership style in a given situation depends on factors such as members’ skills and knowledge, time available, the type of task, and so forth.

Approaches continued…

Functions-leadership is defined by the function a group needs and can be supplied by any member

Styles-Studies interrelationship between leader style and member behaviors

Types of Leaders

Democratic-egalitarian leaders who coordinate and facilitate discussion in small groups, encouraging participation of all members

Laissez-Faire- do nothing designated leaders who provide minimal services to the group.

Autocratic- leaders who try to dominate and control a group

Hersey/Blanchard Model

Leader-Member Exchange Model (LMX)