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Some view leadership as a series of specific traits or characteristics. Others
see it as comprised of certain skills and knowledge. And some think of
leadership as a process that places an emphasis on social interaction and
relationships. A more encompassing perception of a leader is offered by

Sorenson & Epps: a forceful and dynamic personality who really leads from the
front; an architect and implementer of strategy; a mediator in conflict situations;
an integrator who assures the climate of the organization; a person able to motivate
subordinates and who, by persuasion, compulsion or example to others; succeeds in
getting others to follow the leader’s wishes . Another definition by John
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Seaman Garns is that “leaders are just ordinary people with extraordinary
determination.” Harvard Professor Rosabeth Ross Kanter suggests that

leadership is “the art of mastering change . . . the ability to mobilize others’
efforts in new directions.”

Although it may be difficult to precisely define leadership, it is important
to have a better understanding of what it means if anyone is attempting to

learn how to become a leader or a more effective leader. To begin with,
however leadership is defined, a leader is someone who has developed a
group of followers. These followers have found something in that leader
that encourages them to “get hitched to his/her wagon.” In fact, people
tend to be attracted to leaders whose values are similar to their own.

One measure of leadership is the caliber of people who choose to follow you.
Dennis A. Peer.

Leadership is certainly more than “finding a parade and getting in front of
it.” According to Vance Packard, “leadership appears to be the art of getting
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others to want to do something you are convinced should be done.” Harry
Truman succinctly stated, “Leadership is the ability to get men to do what they

don’t want to do and like it.”

9 Sorensen, A. and Epps, R. “Community Leadership and Local Development,” Journal of Rural Studies,
1996.
10 Naisbitt, John. Megatrends (New York NY: Warner Books, 1984), p. 178.

David Kolzow 10