We believe that leadership is a process that is ultimately concerned with
fostering change. In contrast to the notion of “management,” which suggests
preservation or maintenance, “leadership” implies a process where there is
movement— from wherever we are now to some future place or condition that
is diff erent. Leadership also implies intentionality, in the sense that the implied
change is not random— “change for change’s sake”— but is rather directed
toward some future end or condition which is desired or valued. Accordingly,
leadership is a purposive process which is inherently value-based.
Consistent with the notion that leadership is concerned with change, we view
the “leader” basically as a change agent, i.e., “one who fosters change.” Leaders,
then, are not necessarily those who merely hold formal “leadership” positions;
on the contrary, all people are potential leaders. Furthermore, since the
concepts of “leadership” and “leader” imply that there are other people involved,
leadership is, by defi nition, a collective or group process