Peter Drucker's Definition of Leadership

For Drucker there is little (if any) difference between leadership and management by definition. Leadership is not about a list of attributes as no two leaders will exhibit the same list, nor is it about charisma or some king-like quality. It is all about delivery of performance. Just like management.

The Foundations

Effective leadership for Drucker is thinking through the organisation's mission and defining it. Then clearly and visibly establishing it. It is the leader who sets the goals and priorities with total clarity. Likewise it is up to the leader to define and maintain standards.

Leadership Responsibility

Effective leaders do not blame others. Because the leader is all too aware that ultimately it is they that take responsibility he (or she) does not fear powerful independent thinking subordinates. Instead the strong leader does whatever they can to encourage and champion their team to become stronger themselves. The leader's task is to create the energy and vision where others might flourish.

Leadership Trust

Without trust the leader will not have any followers. Trust must be earned. This doesn't mean that the leader must be loved and nor does it mean that the followers must agree with everything the leader says or does. Instead the followers must believe that the leader means what they say they mean: that Churchillian leadership trait of Integrity. There must be congruency between a leaders beliefs, his words and his actions. And these must be consistent.

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