Leadership can have a formal aspect (as in most political or business leadership) or an informal one (as in most friendships). Speaking of "leadership" (the abstract term) rather than of "leading" (the action) usually implies that the entities doing the leading have some "leadership skills" or
competencies.
[edit] The Psychology of Leadership
One of the differentiating factors between Management and Leadership is the ability or even necessity to inspire. A Leader, one who can instill passion and direction to an individual or group of individuals, will be using psychology to affect that group either consciously or subconsciously.
Those who seem to be "Natural Leaders" and effectively inspire groups without really knowing the strategies or tactics used are considered Charismatic Leaders. The conscious Leader on the other hand applies a variety of psychological tactics that affect the "reactions" of a group to the environment they exist in.
In numerous "directive"
(meaning to willfully direct as opposed to unconsciously do) organizational psychology disciplines that deal with Leadership and theories like "Directive Communication Psychology" by Arthur Carmazzi“, and
The ripple effect” by
Sigal Barsade, leadership is a product of awareness and command of the reactions and influences of a group on the individual as well as the individual on the group. A Leader's successful application of directive organizational psychology by modifying specific leadership behaviors towards the group, will yield an Organizational culture that is in essence “inspired”.
According to
Arthur Carmazzi, leadership is not about changing the mindset of the group but in the cultivation of an environment that brings out the best (inspires) in the individuals in that group. Each individual has various environments that bring out different facets from their own
identity, and each facet is driven by emotionally charged perceptions within each environment. To lead, one must create a platform through
education and awareness where individuals fill each others needs. This is accomplished by knowing why people may react favorably to a situation in environment A, but get frustrated or disillusioned in environment B.
القيادة في الاسلام www.islamist.org/images/ldrpro.pdfTHE LEADERSHIP PROCESS IN ISLAM
