I want to discuss leadership with you. What is leadership? What different types of leadership are there? Which are the most effective methods of leadership? This is a topic that is often researched and there is generally a desire for improvement on the subject.

So let’s start with ‘what is leadership?’ One answer I have heard is that it is: "The action of organizing a group of people in order to achieve a common goal." Success can measured by how well the collective group has worked together as a team towards this common goal, being led by the leader. Therefore an effective leader is one who can achieve exactly that. I am now going to discuss the different types of leadership and the different types of power that can be used to execute this phenomenon.

The first type of leadership is called Coercive Power. This is where fear is used as the method to lead and the leader’s authority is dependent upon that fear. Usually this type of power may involve the use of force, threaten the suppression of free will, or the use of punishment. This type of power is quite often the most obvious and is often the least effective. People carry out commands only because they are obligated to. However, once the free will has been removed or the punishment has been administered, or the threat has been used, the power is diminished.

The second type of leadership is called Utility Power. This type of leadership is where the leader and the persons being lead both have a useful exchange of services. Leaders lead out of function, because quite simply it is their duty to. This is quite common in the workplace, where a manager or line manager has the task of coordinating and organizing their subordinates. The subordinates act because it is their duty to, and they quite often get a reward in return (i.e. they get paid). If the leader and the subordinates were to move out of the organization then power is removed.

The third type of power or leadership, which is my favourite, is called Legitimate Power. This type of power is rare and is marked by the quality of the relationship. It is based on mutual respect and honour. It is where the leader has earned the right to be leader and the subordinates choose to be led through mutual respect. A great hallmark is a sustained proactive influence, and is not necessarily dependent on outcomes. People who have legitimate power will be followed based on deeply held values. The power is invited, and ethical behaviour is encouraged. Individuals perceive that their leaders are honourable, so they trust and are inspired by them, believe deeply in goals communicated by them and desired to be led. This usually the most effective method of leadership.

In summary, leadership is the action of organizing and directing a group of people in order to achieve a common goal. There are three types of leadership and power. Coercive power where the subordinates are led through fear, once the threat of the fear has been realized the affect of the power diminishes. Utility power is where the subordinates are lead by a leader through an agreed duty and the leaders simply lead by function. Lastly, legitimate power is when the subordinates are led by the leader through choice and are inspired by that leader. Legitimate power is the most effective method of leadership.