Leadership may be defined as the capacity to influence people,
by means of personal attributes and/or behaviours, to achieve a
common goal. However, while leadership is currently much
discussed, and academic studies on the topic have multiplied
since the 1970s, there is no single definition or concept of
leadership that satisfies all commentators. It is important to
recognise that most people, at some points in their lives, are
leaders. Leadership is not just about the qualities of an elite
few, although the leadership skills of chief executives and
their teams are of fundamental importance for organisations.
Experience also suggests that successful leaders do not
invariably behave in identical ways. They may, in fact, act very
differently even in similar situations and they may have quite
different personalities. Moreover, different leadership
qualities may be needed in different circumstances. To take an
obvious example, Churchill was a great wartime leader but less
successful in peacetime. Similarly, CEOs