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“Leadership Is the Most Important Factor in Managing Change” Analytically Assess This Statement

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Leadership Course 20Twenty, Construction

“Leadership is the most important factor in Managing change”

Analytically assess this statement

By Thomas Atkin Student number: 02000314
To analytically assess the statement that leadership is the most important factor in managing change, it must first be clarified what is understood by the different terms being used. In this essay I will look firstly at what leadership actually means, then at what constitutes good leadership; I will consider why change may be needed, and what other factors might be at play in influencing change; and finally I shall look at the role leadership plays in making change, and reach a conclusion as to whether I agree that it is the most important factor in actually managing any change.

What is leadership?

The Collins English Dictionary defines a leader as a person who “rules, guides, or inspires others”. This applies to any situation, and in a work context could refer to a multi national company or to a small independent corner shop. Many authors have their own definitions: for example Peter G Northhouse (p3) defines leadership itself as “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a goal”. Similarly Kotter (p3) refers to leadership as a process that “helps direct and mobilise individuals or groups of people in a formal position”. He believes that all in a leadership position provide leadership – however, it needs to be recognised that not everyone in such a position may actually want to lead. An operative might be good at his/her job in a way that inspires others to work in the same way, but it does not necessarily mean that person has either the skills or the motivation to go that step further, and actually share

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