Leadership: Theories, Styles and Types of Leaders, A Systematic Literature Review and the Narrative Synthesis

Abstract

This paper looks into the different conceptualizations of leadership, bringing attention to its deep effect on people and organizations. The numerous leadership theories offer different perceptions. Great man theory believes that great leaders are born not made. In other words, it focuses on great people rather than situations. Trait theory of leadership supposes that people inherit certain abilities and traits that make them better suited to leadership. The situational theory is that there is no single best style of leadership. Good leadership depends on the mission assigned. Transactional theory suggests that the process of leadership should implement a system of rewards and punishment; whereas, Transformational leadership theory does focus on the junction between leaders and followers, where leaders inspire their followers to achieve surprising outcomes. Leadership theories search for explaining the main cause why certain leaders fail while some succeed. This paper also surveys the different leadership styles leaders adopt, from the commanding and participative, where the leader is sometimes either has absolute authority on followers or shares decisions with them, to the visionary and pacesetting. The first believes in the identification of the days to come, not only focus on the current needs of the organization, while the second is obsessed with setting high-performance standards for his followers. Each style is used in certain situation depends on the present needs. The different types of leaders are also referred to in this study, focusing on the impact each leader has on the organization and the followers. Ultimately, this review highlights leadership’s involvedness, offering perceptions into its varied conceptualizations and practical inferences across situations.