ABSTRACT
Leadership is about the ongoing process of building and sustaining a relationship of influence between those who aspire to lead and those willing to follow. Leadership can arouse passion and emotion of extraordinary power. Even the study of leadership stirs feelings because leadership is so central to our identity, beliefs, and vaues – a complex, ineffable process that involves our self-image, primal needs for security, and moral codes (Heifetz, 1994). The leading news stories on any given day are often about leadership, reflecting collective yearnings for more leaders – better leaders – to resolve the crises, dilemmas, and complexities of modern life. The assumption is that good leaders make a difference and that we are better off because of what they do. While there is widespread agreement that leadership is important and that effective leadership is vital, there is less clarity about what that means (Gallos, 2008a).
