The Comparison of Behavior Theory, Contingency Theory and Transformational Theory
The Evolution of Leadership Theory
David A. Van Seters
Stevenson, Kellogg, Ernst & Whinney, Vancouver, British Columbia and
Evolution of Leadership Theory
29
Richard H.G. Field
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada Leadership is one of the most complex and multifaceted phenomena to which organisational and psychological research has been applied. While the term "leader" was noted as early as the 1300s (The Oxford English Dictionary, 1933) and conceptualised even before biblical times, the term leadership has been in existence only since the late 1700s (Stogdill, 1974). Even then, scientific research on the topic did not begin until the 20th century (Bass, 1981). Since that time, however, there has been intensive research on the subject, addressing leadership from a variety of perspectives. Indeed, Warren Bennis (1959) stated that:
Of all the hazy and confounding areas in social psychology, leadership theory undoubtedly contends for the top nomination. And, ironically, probably more has been written and less known about leadership than about any other topic in the behavioural sciences (p. 259).
Burns (1978) similarly remarked that "Leadership is one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth." This problem arises not only in understanding the operation of the theory but also in its definition. Stogdill (1974) claimed that "There are almost as many definitions of leadership as those who have attempted to define the concept". Yet still we persist in trying to explain the key question: What makes an effective leader? This question has engendered considerable interest because leadership conjures up powerful and romantic images (Meindl, Ehrlich and Dukerich, 1985; Yukl, 1989). In fact, in these times of rapid change and environmental complexity, leadership has taken on greater importance than ever before. Given the above, it seems very worthwhile to return to the historical foundations of leadership theory and review the progress that
David A. Van Seters
Stevenson, Kellogg, Ernst & Whinney, Vancouver, British Columbia and
Evolution of Leadership Theory
29
Richard H.G. Field
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada Leadership is one of the most complex and multifaceted phenomena to which organisational and psychological research has been applied. While the term "leader" was noted as early as the 1300s (The Oxford English Dictionary, 1933) and conceptualised even before biblical times, the term leadership has been in existence only since the late 1700s (Stogdill, 1974). Even then, scientific research on the topic did not begin until the 20th century (Bass, 1981). Since that time, however, there has been intensive research on the subject, addressing leadership from a variety of perspectives. Indeed, Warren Bennis (1959) stated that:
Of all the hazy and confounding areas in social psychology, leadership theory undoubtedly contends for the top nomination. And, ironically, probably more has been written and less known about leadership than about any other topic in the behavioural sciences (p. 259).
Burns (1978) similarly remarked that "Leadership is one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth." This problem arises not only in understanding the operation of the theory but also in its definition. Stogdill (1974) claimed that "There are almost as many definitions of leadership as those who have attempted to define the concept". Yet still we persist in trying to explain the key question: What makes an effective leader? This question has engendered considerable interest because leadership conjures up powerful and romantic images (Meindl, Ehrlich and Dukerich, 1985; Yukl, 1989). In fact, in these times of rapid change and environmental complexity, leadership has taken on greater importance than ever before. Given the above, it seems very worthwhile to return to the historical foundations of leadership theory and review the progress that