Assigned Versus Emergent Leadership
Assigned Versus Emergent Leadership
Some
people are leaders because of their formal position in an organization, whereas
others are leaders because of the way other group members respond to them.
These two common forms of leadership are called assigned leadership
and emergent leadership.
Leadership
that is based on occupying a position
in an organization is assigned
leadership. Team leaders, managers, department heads, directors, and
administrators are all examples of assigned leadership. Person assigned to a
leadership position does not always become the real leader in a particular
setting.
When others
perceive an individual as the most influential member of a group or an
organization, regardless of the individual’s title, the person is exhibiting emergent leadership. This type of
leadership is not assigned by position; rather, it emerges over a period
through communication.
Some of
the positive communication behaviors that account for successful leader
emergence include being verbally
involved, being informed, seeking others’ opinions, and initiating new ideas.
In addition to communication behaviors, researchers have found that personality
plays a role in leadership emergence.
Source: Leadership: theory and practice/
Peter G. Northouse – 6th edition 2013
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