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I believe “the best” definition of leadership does not exist. There is not one agreed upon definition in the world despite how much leadership has been studied and written about. The last time I searched Amazon for books on leadership there were over 80,000 results.
According to Warren Bennis in Leaders (1997) “academic analysis has given us more than 850 definitions of leadership”.
I think it is fair to say that defining leadership will be studied and debated for a long time to come and it is likely we will never all agree on THE BEST definition of leadership. Although that is the question I have been asked and challenged about the most.
In one of the early posts I wrote when I started the Random Acts of Leadership blog over 10 years ago, I offered this as one of my preferred definitions of leadership:
“Leadership is translating vision into reality” by Warren Bennis.
A good friend who is a highly successful entrepreneur and CEO wrote to me after reading that article having spent a good deal of time reading what I wrote, thinking and searching the internet trying to help me do a better job of defining leadership.
Why? Because she strongly believes that “Vision is not a catalyst for leadership.” Essentially, the definition I had offered in her worldview was just wrong. Yet the most interesting thing of all was that everything she said to make her point completely validated what I was trying to say to begin with about leadership and leading.
Could a Definition Actually be Getting in the Way?
Perhaps offering a definition of leadership was a mistake. Not because I offered a “wrong” definition. Warren Bennis is well known as an expert in the field of leadership so I could argue his definition was as valid as any. But rather because I tried to define something that perhaps cannot be adequately expressed with the simplicity and accuracy expected from the definition of anything.
So why do we keep trying to define it?
People seems to expect you to be able to define the thing you are writing about or teaching so naturally I had been offering one. But definitions rarely help you understand and/or do the very thing you are trying to define.
For example, I can define balance, but does that help me to achieve the balance necessary to ride a bicycle? In the case of leadership I have never seen a definition that has helped anyone instantly know how to lead.
What do we seek when we ask for a definition? I think we are seeking “the truth” about it. Yet trying to define leadership is a bit like trying to define beauty: it has many interpretations, although we know it when we see it. It is also said that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. In fact, beauty does not look the same in all cultures and perhaps neither does leadership. This points to the power of context in shaping our interpretations of “truth” about anything, including leadership.
What could be more useful than a definition of leadership?
The notion of a “random act of leadership” is my attempt to take leadership out of the realm of theory and develop a rich context for leading that can give EVERYONE access to leading in their day to day work and lives regardless of their position or title.
My goal is to empower more and more people to see and to seize opportunities to lead more readily and more often in their everyday work and life.
Rather than defining leadership as a concept, my focus has been on identifying the specific actions anyone who wants to lead can take to amplify their impact. Rather than waiting for “the” leaders to make things happen, I want to open peoples minds and hearts to the possibility that they can make an even bigger difference here and now in the things that matter to them regardless of their current position or title.
What Does Leadership Look Like in Action?
What if we were to change the question from “What is leadership?” to “What does leadership look like in action?”
I realized that given the richness of the theory of leadership and how the theory and context has evolved throughout history, summing up the definition of leadership into one simple statement that could be “the best definition of leadership” might be a tall order with little return. Instead I started asking a different question: What does leadership look like in action?
I started asking that question because I encountered so many people who loved learning about the theory of leadership, but were often left with one very simple question after the excitement of the discussion faded away – how do I DO leadership?
After years of inquiry here is my answer to the simple question: what does leadership look like in action?
“Leadership is speaking up, stepping up, and standing up to make a difference in something that matters to you and makes a difference for others.” Susan Mazza
If you want to elevate your leadership from wherever you are right now, whether you are a seasoned leader, just getting started, or somewhere in between, you need to be able to see opportunities in the everyday moments when you can make a difference so you can take action.
Leaders are developed by committing one act of leadership at a time over time. It really is that simple! What act of leadership will you commit next to make a difference in what matters to you and makes a difference for others?
I find that the leadership I have witnessed in life did not look like typical leadership- at least not in context. True leadership has flow, honesty, and above all integrity. I think we see fake leadership all the time- you recognize it in a person who is in your face with his/her opinions. This post is a perfect metaphor for being a leader. You are not telling us the definition because telling us that is not being a leader- that is a dictator. You are teaching us to fish if you will. Thank you Susan!
Hi Susan,
What does leadership look like? I think it’s different depending upon the situation. So, it’s knowing when to show compassion, when to take some chances, and when to play it safe. Leadership is sometimes what we don’t see – all the decisions that have to be made within first – and those can sometimes be difficult choices.
If I think of nature, I’d say leadership looks like a mountain. Something that people are drawn to, something firmly in place, something that has peaks and valleys, majestic trees, and lots of undergrowth. And yet, at it’s peak is a view of the world like no other. For those who follow up the mountain paths…follow her to the top…the view is grand!
Hi Susan!
I love this brain-stirring post! Thank you!
“A great leader is one who learns from his followers; a great leader is simply the light through a dark tunnel.” ~Henie~
wow love your quote (: thats gonna be in my speech for rotc
Because I think that leadership is a way of being as well as doing, I’m not sure what it actually “Looks” like. What I have observed is that when real and effective leadership is present, the people involved (leaders and followers) are always energized, focused and optimistic, even when the challenges facing them appear insurmountable.
If we could bottle that, we might be able to get closer to a definition.
Great post, Susan…thoughtful and thought provoking.
Leadership looks like the ability to articulate a vision in a way that others desire to achieve that vision. Leadership is the sharing of ideas, the stimulus of creativity to achieve and go beyond that which is known.
One perspective is silence. The person who speaks loudest or the most is not the answer. The human being who evolves to distinguish his ideas from those of other men, learns to detach from self-created illusions. He frees the spiritual self from distractions of the physical world. Such a person queries why humans destroy what nature creates. He rediscovers the meaning of existence. He does not seek to impose his ideas but empowers others to make self-discoveries.
Kahlil Gibran said,
“I uprooted the strong and ancient tree of my soul.
I tore its roots from the clayin which it had sprouted and flourished. I tore its roots from its past, cutting off the memory of a thousand springs and a thousand autumns.
And I planted the tree of my soul once again in another place.
I planted it in a field far distant from the paths of time. I watched it by night, beside it, saying,’To watch by night brings us near to the stars.’
I watered it with my blood and my tears, saying, ‘There is a fragrance in blood, and in tears, a sweetness.’
When spring came, my soul blossomed once again.”
@Jay I think what you are pointing to here is why some people do not want to be seen as leaders – their experience with people in positions of authority has cast a negative shadow on their interpretation of leadership.
@Lance Great point that leadership is sometimes what we don’t see. Perhaps not all acts of leadership will be seen by others but they will be felt by others. Love yoru mountain metaphor for leadership. too!
@Henie Well said!
@Gwyn That’s a great lens to consider distinguishing what leadership looks like – the success of a leader cannot be measured by their actions alone but rather by the impact their actions have on others.
@ToBeMe You point to an important context for leaders – possibility, one that I think actually distinguishes leadership from management.
@Liara This is what I take away from what you said – at this moment anyway! As always you make me really think. Leaders listen. Leaders empower others. They recognize they are not the center of the universe and see their role as one of helping others to discover and learn for themselves. I love the writings of Kahlil Gibran. Thank you for sharing that passage.
Thanks to all for your insightful comments.
Yes, leadership is difficult to define. Different situations require different types of skill sets from those who will facilitate work towards solving a problem, conflict, etc. Ultimately, regardless of the context, I think a leader inspires and empowers… generating more leadership.
Thanks, Susan for sharing your thoughts and creating a space for conversation.
Susan,
Since reading your thought filled post above, I have had “definition” on my mind. Today I ran across a wonderful quote that spoke to me and made me think of you and this topic.
“Leadership is much more an art, a belief, a condition of the heart, than a set of things to do. The visible signs of artful leadership are expressed, ultimately, in its practice.”
by Max DePree
We experience leadership much more than we seem to be able to define it. And when we are lucky enough to be part of a great leadership experience we feel it, we tell people about the leader who made a difference in our lives but still, we struggle for a complete definition.
I believe every leader is different. Every experience is unique and every leader comes to the table with unique and amazing skills and talents that make them the exceptional leader only they can be. This cannot be categorized or defined in a box statement.
This is why the work you do is so integral to leadership, helping the leader draw out the best in their capabilities and sharing commonsense tips and examples for us to look at and apply to our own unique strenths and experiences.
I love your blog, Susan – what a gift to have found you – and on twitter, no less!
@Claudia Thanks for joining the conversation! Great point that leaders by their very nature generate more leadership by inspiring and empowering others.
@strategicsense You point to something I think is so important – every leader is different. It is great to have role models and to learn from them but to be our most powerful version of ourselves we must discover our own unique expression of leadership.
Thank you for the wonderful acknowledgment. It means a lot, especially coming from you Patti! I am thrilled to have you to think with here 🙂
This is a great discussion on defining leadership. I had the opportunity about four years ago to attend a leadership workshop with Peter Senge at MIT. His definition is one that has stuck in my mind. He reminded us that inspiration and aspiration come from the root word “spire” or spirit or breath. He said that leaders are people who breathe life into people, projects, places. I LOVE this thought. Think of the opposite–someone who takes the life out of you or you feel as if you can’t breathe in their presence. Jann
Bennis not argyris – I am losing my marbles
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I learned recently that humility means knowing your right size. Definitely an aspect of leadership in action in my book!
Yes, you do know it when you see it…in action. Better yet, you’ve met another leader when you find yourself following… for all of the right reasons.
Exactly! Well said Jim. Thanks for stopping by!