According to DePree
(1989, p.19), the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. This
might seem metaphysically esoteric, but I believe DePree hit the nail on the
head. Even though far less has been written in leadership research about the
importance of viewing reality and interpreting it than about traits, styles and
situational factors, defining reality is the fundamental task distinguishing
leadership as a phenomenon (Caldwell, Bischoff & Karri, 2002, p. 153).
Material from this essay has been incorporated into The Essence of Leadership: A Cross-Cultural Foundation, which is available at Amazon.
Material from this essay has been incorporated into The Essence of Leadership: A Cross-Cultural Foundation, which is available at Amazon.
Sources:
Caldwell, C, S.J. Bischoff, and R.
Karri: 2002, “The Four Umpires: A Paradigm for Ethical Leadership,” Journal of Business
Ethics 36, 153-163.
De Pree, M.: 1989, Leadership Is an Art (Doubleday:
NY).
