Contemporary Issues in Organizational Leadership

Discussion 1 : Leadership Defined

Leadership has been described from various perspectives and defined by different concepts.

Based on the descriptions of leadership provided in this week's lecture and readings, present a personal definition of leadership and explain why your definition is appropriate and relevant to the practice of leadership today.

Provide an example of a current leader who embodies this definition. Explain how this individual is a relevant example of your personal definition of leadership.

Discussion 2 : Theories of Leadership

Many schools of thought have developed throughout history that propose various theories about the source and development of leaders, how leaders are discovered, and how they can be identified. Early leadership theories focused on the qualities that distinguished leaders from followers; subsequent theories looked at other variables such as situational factors and skill levels.

Evaluate the similarities and differences between two approaches or theories of leadership: the trait approach and behavioral theory; the Situational Leadership® Model and authentic leadership theory; or the transformational and transactional leadership theories. Begin by providing a brief summary of the two approaches or theories of leadership you have chosen to analyze.

Then, examine the common characteristics and differences between the two approaches or theories you selected. Use a minimum of two scholarly sources to support your post. Cite your sources according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Reference:

Please answer both discussion separately and place each on own Reference underneath.