Developing Leadership in Organizations

Abstract

Leadership at all levels of organizations forms a continuum with Micro Leadership on one one end, Team Leadership in the middle, and Macro Leadership at the opposite end. Micro Leadership focuses on specific tasks and individual followers, Team Leadership involves work with groups, and Macro Leadership deals with vision and strategy for an entire organization. Leaders at all levels operate across the entire continuum. For example, top executives often provide direction and support to individuals, and first-line supervisors must operate strategically to obtain the resources and make the long-term improvements needed in their part of the business. Yet most leadership development programs and processes concentrate on only a limited portion of the continuum or on a different portion of the continuum for leaders at various levels. This article argues for a more broad-based approach to leadership development and suggests guidelines for designing more appropriate leadership development processes.