- Has good self awareness and an inner sense of security that
provides the ability to deal with conflicts and to stand for his
or her opinions. - Attempts to strive for good internal unity and loyalty.
- Is consistent, provides straightforward information and has
the ability to inspire a sense of security. - Has the will and ability to train and assist – replacements and
subordinates. - Has an understanding that communications from beneath and
upward are as important as communications from above and
downward in a hierarchy, and is able to create such a spirit of
mutual understanding that relevant information is provided. - Uses control in a constructive manner.
Opinions regarding leaders and leadership have changed over
the years and the perception of the importance of leadership has
varied. Earlier theories emphasised leadership ability as a qua-
lity that people either have or do not have. Leaders were seen as
stronger, braver and somewhat more gifted than those they led.
According to this approach, leadership was constituted by two ba-
sic dimensions – the degree of task orientation and the degree of
relational orientation (Boëthius & Jern, 1998).
Leadership is now perceived in a somewhat more nuanced
manner. It is often emphasised that a leader should base his or her
actions on the group members’ competence and motivation, and
be able to both delegate, and support and direct. Several different
leadership models have been developed and used frequently, not
the least in various types of management and leadership courses
(see, for example, Hersey & Blanchard, 1993).
Napier and Gershenfeld (1981) maintain that leadership is de-
pendent on the situation rather than on the person. Leadership is
basically the performance of a certain role in a group within an
organisation. This role is primarily crystallised with consideration
to power and the ability to influence others in the group. When
membership changes, the conditions for the leader also change.
Leadership is constituted by actions that help the group to reach
its objectives. Leadership is exercised to help the group to achieve
objectives, to facilitate matters for the group in working in ac-
cordance with established objectives, to improve the quality of
interpersonal relationships between the group members, and to
provide necessary resources to the group.