2010-12-10

The Art of Leadership: An Evolutionary Perspective

This article examines leadership as an art (skill), redefines it as a characteristic rather than a process, and argues that behavioural skills useful for leader survival emerged over time. The emergence of leadership skills is traced through eight archaeological periods. For each period, three analyses are made: (1) the emergence of general leadership skills; (2) the emergence of art leadership skills; and (3) the possible transfer of leadership skills in art and in other areas, such as organizational leadership.

The author concludes that different leadership skills emerged in relation to contextual changes, that sometimes similar and sometimes different skills emerged for art leadership, and that transfer of leadership skills occasionally occurred between the two types of leadership. He also concludes that some leadership skills, such as concern with people and with the task, emerged early and remained essential, while additional leadership skills are emerging as requirements for effective leadership today.

Robert J. Taormina is a professor of applied psychology. His research includes leadership, organizational socialization and cross-cultural comparisons. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Sage journal Leadership.

http://www.gestiondesarts.com/index.php?id=2071

International Journal of Arts Management, Volume 13 - no 1 (FALL 2010)