History Of Leadership Theory

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Introduction

The history of leadership theory is a fascinating story of evolving views on the nature of human behaviour and the ways individuals acquire power and influence in the workplace. Thoughts about how leadership is defined, the characteristics of effective leaders, and accepted leadership philosophies have evolved with every passing decade. According to Brownell (2010), recent events have demonstrated beyond a doubt that not only does leadership matter, but the character of the leader matters.

Hence, this essay will follow a simple track by analyzing leadership theories. Then the essay will be divided in to two parts where the first part will analyze the leadership theories in context of style, effectiveness and the type of power the two leaders possessed from the films Lord of the Rings, The Whale Rider and In Good Company. The second part will analyze in depth the leadership theories and its concepts with the two leaders from each film. Furthermore, the essay will relate the discussion and evaluation of each characters leadership style etc to the leadership theory. Finally the essay will discuss and give a brief explanation of each individual culture influences followed by a review of the essay in the conclusion.

Leadership Theories

Numerous leadership theories have been proposed over the past decades and of these, a few of the most significant are described below. According to Brownell(2010), early theories focused almost exclusively on personal characteristics of the leader and attempted to better understand the reason for his or her impact on organizational performance. In fact, one of the first perspectives was called the "great man" theory under the premise that leaders were born, not made. Similarly, Mann (1959) stated in his research that trait theories assumed that certain characteristics and personalities made an individual a better leader and consequently sought to identify those qualities. After a decade of research, studies by Stogdill (1948) and others concluded that no single characteristic distinguishes effective leaders from less effective ones.

During the 1950s and 1960s, behavioural theories emerged with increasing frequency. Theorists proposed that individuals could learn to be leaders through skill development and deliberate action. Patterns of behaviour were labelled "leadership styles." Blake and

Mouton’s Managerial Grid (1964), for instance, proposed that leaders could be distinguished by their concern for tasks or concern for people and by their tendency to be either directive or participative in their approach.

Fellowship of the Ring; Leadership of Gandalf & Frodo

According to Jordan (2001) leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. In the film, Lord of the Rings – Fellowship of the Ring, the council debated over the ring and Frodo Baggins plunges into a perilous trek to take the mystical One Ring to Mount Doom so that it and its magical powers can be destroyed and never possessed by evil Lord Sauron. Gandalf volunteered to help and protect Frodo on his quest, along with others. This is how the Fellowship of the Ring was formed, with Gandalf as its leader. Gandalf later convinced other hobbits to join the fellowship. Subsequently, after preparing for the journey, the fellowship left Rivendell and Gandalf took leadership of the fellowship, leading the group south after leaving Rivendell. 

Leadership style

According to Fiedler (1967), peoples oriented leader is the one who, in order to comply with effectiveness and efficiency, supports, trains and develops his personnel, increasing job satisfaction and genuine interest to do a good job. Gandalf showed the same behavioural style as of peoples oriented leaders have. He carried out this task because he believed with great power comes great responsibility therefore, he was sharing his power of knowledge with others and helping others in their quest as a guide with his magical powers. Whereas, Rowley & Roevens (1999) explains that task oriented leaders focuses on the job, and concentrates on the specific tasks assigned to each employee to reach goal accomplishment. This was clearly showed through Frodo’s characteristics in the film as he kept moving ahead to the Mount Doom. He was helped and supported by the friends but since he was task oriented he did not share the ring task with anyone made and when needed left them behind but not the task.

Effectiveness as a leader

Gandalf spent many centuries walking among the elves as a stranger, learning from them and teaching them. Because of these characteristics he became the effective leader of the quest and the group and his duty was to lead and protect them to Mount Doom. Gandalf was a wise man and lived amongst the people therefore he was a peoples oriented leaders. He was very knowledgeable and possessed ultimate magical powers therefore he was very effective as a leader and everyone always followed and obeyed him. He later revealed himself as one of the white wizard, and eventually became known as the wisest of and most powerful of the wizards like Sauron. Gandalf only used his knowledge and magical powers for good such as helping everyone.

Frodo was a brave boy because he volunteered to take the ring to Mount Doom to destroy it. He was an effective leader amongst the three hobbits who volunteered to join him on Frodo’s quest and he was very task oriented and followed what the situation demanded therefore, his leadership style was task oriented. As he had the power and courage to control the ring and others didn’t therefore, the other hobbits listened and followed him at all times. The only power he possessed was his bravery, being task focussed and courage to control the ring and he was doing this because he wanted to destroy the evil power from ruling the world.

Type of power

According to Kabanoff (1981), power means many different things to different people. For some, power is seen as corrupt and for others, the more power they have, the more successful they feel. Five different types of power such as coercive, reward, legitimate, expert and referent affects one’s leadership ability and success in a leadership role. Gandalf’s power showed the characteristics of expert power which comes from ones skill, experience or knowledge. Gandalf lived for many years and had a lot of experience and learnt wisely and inherited magical power therefore; he was teaching and training people good things and how to help each other. He never abused his knowledge or magical powers but instead sacrificed his life for the group at once without thinking twice. Whereas, Frodo had the power of bravery and courage with a focussed and clever mind and these showed characteristics of legitimate power where power comes from having a position. Even though he had a clear vision and heart, he at times abused his power of leadership and acted alone. He became selfish at times and wanted to become the bearer of the ring, trusted new friends over old friends and held secrets within himself by not telling anyone.

Situation from the film that illustrate the power analysis

According to Gitlow (2004) leadership is the ability of one human being to stir the sentiments and influence the behaviour of others. That influence is an inherent source of power and power to direct other people to the achievement of a leader’s goal by transmuting those goals into the aims of everyone. Gandalf showed his greatness and wise knowledge at various scenes of the film but a few important ones were when he fights the dark wizard in the caves. Through that battle he guides his group to the safe passage and faces the dark wizard alone with his knowledge and magical powers. He sacrifices his life at that point to keep his group safe and the quest alive for the betterment of everyone. After becoming the white wizard Gandalf returns to Rohan and sets free Theoden; the King of Rohan from evil spells bewitched by his Adviser and exiled his servant, Grima Worm Tongue. Whereas, despite knowing that his true friend Sam is always ready to help, Frodo knows – he is the one responsible for the outcome of the journey. His act alone or task orientation is shown clearly in the film when Sméagol tricks Frodo so that he can become the bearer of the ring by creating difference between the two friends and Frodo fall in it. This dishonesty was only created because Frodo was more tasks oriented and he would do anything to complete his task even if that means to believe strangers and disown all time true friends.

Type of Organization, Level of Seniority and its Effects

Fellowship of the Ring starts from a sleepy village in the Shire and takes a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom. Since Gandalf lived for many years and had knowledge and experience of all kinds and possessed magical powers he volunteered to help and protect therefore, he had a very strong level of seniority where ever he went. Kirkpatrick and Locke (1991) exemplified the trait theory and argued that key leader traits include drive, leadership motivation, honesty, integrity, self-confidence, cognitive ability and knowledge of the business. In the olden days great men leadership theories were very popular and believed that great men were born and not made. Similarly, great man like Gandalf was also born and not made and are very effective in their work and leadership.

Whereas, Frodo is seen as brave who possessed the power to control the ring but later the film showed that he at times Frodo got attracted towards the creed to possess the same power. Being a hobbit of less age he showed a kind of maturity and with some level of seniority because at times he panicked. His journey or quest was very tough but the same quest gave him an identity and made him and his work very effective in the ancient society.

Individual Culture and its Effects

As noted above, culture and society played a fundamental role in the leadership styles of both the characters. The good deeds carried out by Gandalf showed that he fulfilled his oaths and promises he made while inheriting or receiving powers and knowledge. No matter how Frodo completed his quest and how tough were things but he managed to throw the ring at Mount Doom. Both the leaders’ characteristics showed that their cultural knowledge and inheritance were very superior in their lives.

Other leadership concepts and ideologies identified

The Fellowship of the Ring has illustrated many aspect of the leadership theory in context with traits, behaviour and styles. Since there were many leaders in the film therefore, some more leadership was also visible and can be described. Autocratic leadership, also known as authoritarian leadership was also easily seen by another important character Souron. Autocratic leadership is where the leader has control over all decisions and takes little input from group members. The leaders typically make choices based on their own ideas and judgments and rarely accept advice from followers. Autocratic leadership involves absolute, authoritarian control over a group.

Souron displayed autocratic leadership style where he carried out task for his interests such as to forcefully regain the ring and rule the world. During his quest he sacrificed his own people and betrayed his close friends. His ultimate goal was to regain his power through the ring and rule the world. He showed that this leadership style does not have any room for honesty towards anyone or anything.

The Whale Rider; Leadership of Koro & Pai

The film ‘The Whale Rider’ is about an eight-year old girl Pai, who is a member of the Maori tribe of Whangara, New Zealand, fights to prove her love, her leadership, and her destiny. Her people claim descent from Kahutia Te Rangi, the legendary "whale rider." In every generation since Kahutia, a male heir has inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir, and the aging chief Koro is desperate to find a successor. Pai is his only great-grandchild--and Maori tradition has no use for a girl. But when hundreds of whales beach themselves and threaten the future of the Maori tribe, it is Paikea who saves the tribe when she reveals that she has the whale rider's ancient gift of communicating with whales.

Leadership style

According to Weber (1905) bureaucratic leadership is very structured and follows the procedures as they have been established. This type of leadership has no space to explore new ways to solve problems and is usually slow paced to ensure adherence to the ladders stated by the company. Koro showed the behavioural style of a bureaucratic leader because he was so focussed on his ancient beliefs and didn’t want to change according to time. Koro carried out his leadership tasks exactly as it was passed on to him by his forefathers. He was not interested in adopting changes, find new ways and styles and change with time. Whereas, Pai had natural talents either it was of any talent such as communicating to the whales or her character, she managed to convince everyone for good reasons. Therefore, Pai had the behaviour style of transformational leader where the leader motivates the team to be effective and efficient. According to Burns (1978), with transformational leader’s communication is the base for goal achievement focusing the group on the final desired outcome. This leader focuses on the big picture, needing to be surrounded by people who take care of the detail and always looks for ideas that move the group to reach their vision.

Effectiveness as a leader

Both Koro and Pai showed their leadership through determination, skills and courage and both were effective in their styles. They both cared about their Maori culture and tradition and work hard towards living it and were stubborn, determined and did not give up easily. Koro was seen by the community as a traditional leader because he organized many community events and made decisions for the community. Koro was absolutely honest to his tikanga to his understanding of Maori culture and customs. He was absolutely honest to the teachings of his ancestors, his father and his grandfather and to the male lineage that he is such a strong part of. But with that honesty he also developed stubbornness and a pride that trips him up. He's blind to the challenges that are there in front of him and to the answers and cannot comprehend that a girl is the next in line.

Pai was a brave and clever child who was so fond of her grandfather that she wanted to be a chief like her grandfather. She had to fight to get recognition as a girl with the skills to become a leader, in an environment where men are the leaders. She tried hard to prove how much she loves her grandfather and how much she wants to succeed him as chief. Pai was naturally talented in Taiaha, culture and tradition and also possessed natural leadership ability such as communicating and riding the whale. Pai was also seen as a soft heart person who listens to everyone, in pain she cried alone and was very fond of her people, place, whales and the grandparents.

Type of power

Koro was a very stubborn, strict, serious chief of the New Zealand coastal village. He dominated in everything that they did and if he believed in something, he never changed his mind. He was firm and forceful in everything he said and did and rarely appreciated others work and effort. He was also selfish, not sympathetic or sensitive and never considered other people’s feelings. According to French & Raven (1959), legitimate power comes from having a position of power in an group, such as being the boss or a key member of a leadership team and when people in a group recognizes the authority of the individual. Whereas, Pai was quiet natural in power because she was gifted with softness and innocence. She was very loving to everyone therefore everyone liked her a lot and listen and believe everything she asked or said. She also possessed some natural or gifted powers where she could communicate with whales. Pai showed the characteristics of referent power where power comes from being trusted and respected and it can be gained when others trust what the leaders do and respect them for how they handle situations. 

Situation from the film that illustrate the power analysis

In a research conducted by Horlings & Padt (2011), they argued that contingency theories consider contextual aspects of leadership effectiveness, recognizing that situational variables are significant in determining the impact and outcomes of various leader behaviours. Those who were flexible and could adapt to different contexts increased their effectiveness. Similarly, Koro should have adopted the different contexts to be more effective with others and his own son. His hunger for a grandson and to make his first son his successor made him volatile and impulsive towards his own son. This was shown in the film when Porourangi’s wife passes away and Koro was only concerned with his grandson and then forcing Porourangi to become the next chief. Koro was soft hearted from inside and this was shown while Pai was performing and someone passes out guess loudly and everyone starts to laugh. When he saw that Pai is getting upset then he quietened everyone by banging his stick on the floor. Pai displayed her power only for good outcomes at several occasions in the film. She was gifted with natural talents and this was shown when she outstands Hemi in a battle of Taiaha. More of Pai’s power is also shown when she able to communicate with the whales to help them out and save them from any dangers.

Type of Organization, Level of Seniority and its Effects

The Whale Rider was set in a small New Zealand coastal village of Whangara inhabited by Maoris who claim descent from Paikea, The Whale Rider. For 1,000 years a male heir of the Chief has become leader of the tribe. Koro comes from a long line of first-born male children, but he was born in an amazing time, a very difficult time to remain true to the teachings and the gifts of the ancestors. As a chief, Koro had the superior level of seniority in the village and because he was responsible for making decisions regarding the village he followed the patrimonial system. According to Weber (1905) patrimonial system is a type of rule in which the ruler does not distinguish between personal and public patrimony and treats matters and resources of state as his personal affair. This type of rulers such as Koro resists change and becomes victims of their own decisions. However, in the early scenes doesn’t show any level of seniority in Pai character and she was only considered to be an obedient child. But as she displays her natural talents regarding her tradition, love and culture, her level of seniority rises giving her more power in decision making and a place in the chiefdom, culture, tradition and later she was known as Paikea.

Individual Culture and its Effects

The story was completely based or was about the Maori culture and traditions and this formed the belief and existence of both the characters, Koro and Pai. As mentioned earlier, both cared a lot about their Maori culture and tradition, its future and worked hard towards living it. The culture and tradition was very valuable to them that they dedicated or planning to dedicate their life towards it. Paikea even refused her father and returned to the village because of her love and dedication towards her, people, family, land, culture and tradition. Koro also showed his dedication because he lived more of a chiefly life and less of his personal.

Other leadership concepts and ideologies identified

The film had many leaders of their own but the film was mainly based on the two main characters Koro and Paikea. The characteristics of the leaders should have focussed more on the leadership and not the authority given to them. Heifetz (1994) presented a new theory of leadership aimed at clarifying important distinctions between leadership, authority and power. He showed a way out of this confusion by differentiating authority, leadership and power and argued that power to influence is the resource for authority and leadership. Authority and leadership can be given to a person and can be taken away too but the power to influence cannot be given or taken because it comes naturally in a person. Similarly, Koro was given the leadership and authority by his forefathers whereas, Paikea possessed the power naturally. She had the power to influence and convince her grandfather and others.

Koro also showed possible signs of being an autocratic leader because he made decisions alone and did not welcome any interference. An autocratic leader is given the power to make decisions alone, having total authority (Lewin, Lippitt, & White, 1939).

In Good Company; Leadership of Dan Foreman & Carter Duryea

The story of ‘In Good Company’ is of personal discovery and emotional development and a personal journey for both lead characters which emotionally engages and pulls some great humour out of life's strangest little moments. Simply, the movie is about a sports magazine organization which has merged with another big company. Therefore, the current advertising head Dan is demoted and he is replaced by Carter who is only twenty six years of age with less experience. The main aim of the new company is to reduce department budgets and increase sale by thirty five percent. Heaps of drama is created within the two characters while carrying on with their jobs and secretly Carter also gets personally involved with Dan’s daughter Alex.

Leadership Style

Dan Foreman had the characteristics of transactional leader because while managing his team he focussed on achieving the company goals and kept the staff members together as one family. According to Burns (1978) transactional leaders are given power to perform certain tasks and reward or punish for the team's performance. It gives the opportunity to the manager to lead the group and the group agrees to follow his lead to accomplish a predetermined goal in exchange for something else. Dan’s core value was to achieve self fulfilment and to keep moving ahead in the corporate world. He was more devoted to his family and the essential needs of their well being. Taking his staff into consideration, the core values was to feel like family at workplace and even the company’s turning point the staff should be there to support one another.

Carter was placed in the company as higher authority and had the characteristics of a task oriented leader. This leadership style requires the leader to focus on the job, concentrates on the specific tasks assigned, close supervision and control to achieve the expected results (Fiedler, 1967). Carter was a young professional with no experience and he was given orders to cut the salary and reduce staffs simultaneously. He had a imbalance work and personal life because neither he was able to resolve work issues nor keep his married life. This signified that Carter failed to meet with the responsibilities he had as a leader.

Effectiveness as a Leader

Type of power

Situation from the film that illustrate the power analysis

Type of Organization, Level of Seniority and its Effects

Individual Culture and its Effects

Other leadership concepts and ideologies identified

Conclusion

The importance of leadership and its association with the right type of power is very common in an organization, place or group. Leadership and power has existed over centuries and has shown both its good and bad side. At present, important aspect or challenge in leadership is the change in leadership behaviour and power. Leaders have to change their attitude and thinking with the new world so that they can continue with their leadership and provide the best outcome for their people. This essay has explored a few areas of practical (films) and theoretical development of leadership behaviour and power. It also explains around the concepts and analysis of leadership behaviours and power and uses the three films to point out the actual scenes which explain the theory. Thus, the first part of this essay begins by identifying two leaders from each film who has shown some type of leadership. The essay provides a brief background of the leaders in context with their leadership style, their leadership effectiveness, the type of power and if the power was used for good or bad course.

The second part begins with an in-depth analysis of leadership and power and reveals the different types of behaviour and power each leader from the film has. Moreover, the in-depth analysis continues to explain associated leadership behaviour and power to each leader and also outlines the reason behind each association. Furthermore, this part rounds up by providing and explaining the actual film scenes where the attributes of each leaders leadership and power was shown. Lastly, the essay clearly relates each theory of leadership and power to the leaders by providing relevant citations and explanations from the films with a clear reference.