As a counter-argument to training leaders organizations

Assignment Help Business Management

Reference no: EM13362061

As a counter-argument to training leaders, organizations spend billions of dollars on leadership training every year. Some believe that much of this effort to train leaders is probably a waste of money; this position is based on two very basic assumptions that underlie leadership training.

The first assumption is that we know what leadership is, and yet we do not. Experts cannot agree if it is a trait, a characteristic, a behavior, a role, a style or an ability. The second basic assumption is that we can train people to lead. We do seem to be able teach individuals about leadership. Unfortunately, findings indicate we are not so good at teaching people how to lead. Apparently, some people may not have the right personality traits, and there is no evidence that individuals can substantially alter their basic leadership style. Additionally, the complexity of leadership theories makes it nearly impossible for any normal human being to assimilate all the variables and be capable of enacting the right behaviors in every situation.

The second basic assumption is that we can train people to lead. The evidence here is not very encouraging. While we appear able to teach individuals about leadership, findings indicate we "cannot" teach people to lead due to several possible explanations. To the degree that personality is a critical element in leadership effectiveness, some people may not have been born with the right personality traits. A second explanation is that there is no evidence that individuals can substantially alter their basic leadership style. A third possibility is that, even if certain theories could actually guide individuals in leadership situations and even if individuals could alter their style, the complexity of those theories make it nearly impossible for any of us to assimilate all the variables and be capable of enacting the right behaviors in every situation.

What is your reaction to these arguments?

Reference no: EM13362061

Questions Cloud

Environmental engineeringquestion 1 although it is rarely : environmental engineeringquestion 1 although it is rarely considered as such sulfur could potentially be a limiting

Addresses leaders in high power distance culturesleaders in : addresses leaders in high power distance culturesleaders in high power distance cultures would be most characterized

Leadership handbookto help new managers in an organization : leadership handbookto help new managers in an organization you have been asked to create a handbook. the handbook may

Servant leadership and mc gregors theory x and yselect one : servant leadership and mc gregors theory x and yselect one out of the first ten presidents of the usa george washington

As a counter-argument to training leaders organizations : as a counter-argument to training leaders organizations spend billions of dollars on leadership training every year.

The power that comes from being a leader can be used for : the power that comes from being a leader can be used for evil as well as for good. when you assume the benefits of

Select two leaders from the us or international who you : select two leaders from the us or international who you consider to be examples of transactional and transformational

Visionary leadership cross-cultural leadership facilitating : visionary leadership cross-cultural leadership facilitating change- why do you characterize them as visionary? give

Leadership and related issues1 the six domains of : leadership and related issues.1. the six domains of leadership a new model for developing and assessing leadership

User Account

All Pages