ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates the consequences; the political and economic environment may have on the leadership context. Important ingredients of the context include the nature of the task that is to be accomplished, the industry or the field, in which the leader and followers are operating, the views that leaders and followers hold about the nature of leadership, and the culture of the organization. Many argue the leadership context extends far beyond the simple give-and-take between leaders and their followers within an organization. All of these factors have an effect on leaders and followers reaching their goal. Leaders and followers are wise to understand and adapt to the changes they face. The chapter also presents the significance of understanding the broader context of the leadership situation. In the case of the factory depicted in Modern Times, the popularity of mass production influenced the way leaders perceived their followers and the way they related to them.
