Why does Leadership make a difference?

[Creslin]

(This is a rant, for all intents and purposes, though I will hopefully be treating it like an Academic discussion.)

I am a college student and have been asked to write a paper on the question, Why does Leadership make a difference? I have written the paper, but am curious to see what other people think. I'd like to point out that this is purely academic, so keep your personal crap out. I want to know, in terms of the world, the nation, a business, ect. how you would answer this question. I'll pull out the most interesting and answers that made me think and put them here when I have the chance.

[KnightShade]

That's a pretty big question so I can only give a pretty general answer. Humans of course are social animals so naturally most of us live in groups. Even fir those that try to avoid this the infrastructures we have become reliant on and growing populations force the majority of humanity to play a wider part in society. So by and large we must function as part of increasingly large groups. If we are to function as a group, particularly in regard to others but also internally, we need to be able to make decisions as a group. In such large numbers a pure democracy just doesn't work, even if it was practised and views were balloted in as opposed to votes those interpretating the views would have the power. Leadership also gives advantages, for example being better able to present a united front against invaders, internal security, better organisation of resources. All of these things benefit from the larger view given by a more centralised leadership.

[Hellis]

^ what this man said.

We are social creatures. We are also pack animals, with pack mentality in times we are afraid, distressed or under preasure. Leadership is the ability to take that, and lead those that feel that pressure into what is hopefully better scircumstances. Leadership is neccary for a boss, a commander, a President for many reasons. A nation for example, will get in debt, or have a crisis on its hand. It will look to those that lead the country and his leadership will end up dictating how things go. Can he unite people to pass a certain bill? Can he bring a solution to a bigger issue?

Likewise, A boss needs leadershiop to make sure there is effenciency, that his workforce to not collapse under mounting pressure. Work is tedius, repettetive. Its the leaders job to try and make sure the worklk force stays on its toes, that they keep awake, that they listen and work in the way most beneficial to the company.

[Ezri Thoth II]

Think about leadership this way. Anyone can got out and kill someone if they wanted. A true leader, is one that can make someone go out and kill someone for them, or, make them kill themselves.

[Miss Nikki]

A true leader... A true leader is not just needed for times of conflict. A leader is someone who can weigh pros and cons and come up with the best decision. Someone who can inspire others into action whether violent or not. A leader is needed because well face it. Many people are lazy and even more without direction a leader gives that direction.a leader is needed because if people were to not have one the world would be in a very sorry state indeed.

[Kadaeux]

Think about leadership this way. Anyone can got out and kill someone if they wanted. A true leader, is one that can make someone go out and kill someone for them, or, make them kill themselves.

Nah, a leader isn't someone who can make someone kill themselves. Anyone with a cruel streak and the willingness to put in the effort can make someone kill themselves, and even then only if the person has a tendency towards that sort of thing.

[Foster]

People who claim to enjoy leading are either crazy or shit-pants horrified of the alternative.

Short answer: The leader is the rally-person people go to when unsure of their own opinions, the default litmus-test that should best represent teh interests of the group as a whole. Also, as a resault of being leader, they bare not only their own responsability, but they are also personally held accountable for all actions that occur under their watch.

If anyone fails, the leader fails.

Without a leader, without anyone you could possably think of as an authority or even someone to give a second, third, or just a simple tie-breaking opinion... you have a mob-mentality, where the first loud idea to be blurted out creates a seprate faction that heads its own way, dividing until everyone is isolated, and individually susceptable to the hardships of chance.

A leader is not necessarily a ruler on a national scale (often, the reverse is said to be true). A leader is more often a mentor, a guide, a pathfinder, trailblazer, visionary, program coordinator, or even your best friend. Imagine life without friends for guidance and support, for that is life without teamwork, leadership, or direction.

[Select]

The problem with defining things like this is that it tends to get dissected to the utmost possible degree to find the details of purpose, reason, and effect. What you have to do - and this is something that most people cannot grasp - is that you have to look at the very basics. Humans are animals, no matter how much technology we invent, or how many theories we develop, or how much denial we bury ourselves in. The basic concept of leadership is the Alpha Male, and that pawns can only ever be controlled with fear; fear of the leader's strength. A strong leader (Alpha Male) is not necessarily a good leader in relation to modern theories and standards, but that's not what leadership is about. Leadership is about keeping your dumb flock in line, so that they do not run off, kill each other, or get killed by predators.

If you think about human history, and its most successful civilizations; name one leader who led his people without fear or deifying himself. A good leader must stand above the normal grunt, he must be more than just a man. Kings and Queens during the renaissance and earlier were considered mediators of God. Just look at the "chain of being", the hierarchy by Plato and Aristotle.

[nightrunner]

People need to see that they answer to someone. Without a superior, people establish themselves on top. So from the get go you need to put a humble person who is willing to listen and not force their opinions on everyone else. Otherwise the arrogant members of a group will use their ego to boost the process, not necessarily logic. They have a need to be seen as a leader, but a true leader doesnt tell people what he wants to do. He tells them what he thinks is best for everyone.

[Ezri Thoth II]

Nah, a leader isn't someone who can make someone kill themselves. Anyone with a cruel streak and the willingness to put in the effort can make someone kill themselves, and even then only if the person has a tendency towards that sort of thing.

True, but, that is really what American polital leaders are like. Have you seen the level of American service men that come home?