Leadership: A Psychology and Discursive Approach

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to give a general overview of the term “leadership” as used and explained by different authors and how it is situated in the context of psychology and discursive leadership. Purpose: Methodology: The paper adopted a desktop methodology research design. Key words such as leadership styles, leadership, leadership dimensions, and communication in leadership were used to source published papers from popular search engines such as google and scholar. The published papers were then assessed for quality and those found relevant were used to generate results. The type of data analysis method used was qualitative data analysis. Specifically, content analysis was used to identify key themes and research gaps from papers. Findings: Communication was found to be a crucial element in almost all leadership types and dimensions. However, the role and importance of communication in leadership was more implied than expressly advocated for in the various leadership forms and styles. Consequently, a discursive approach to leadership was recommended which expressly recognizes the role of communication, the role of framing and the need to infuse to get things done by communicating more effectively. It was also suggested that the excesses of charismatic leadership styles could be a downside to the use of effective use of communication in negative manipulation of followers. Unique contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The paper sheds light on the role that communication plays in leadership. Discursive leadership is an additional theoretical dimension to leadership styles, types and dimensions. Policy makers may prescribe the need for discursive leadership in the various policy documents such as the constitution sections which advocate for leadership and governance among public and private institutions. Leaders in all fora could apply discursive leadership in a bid to improve leader-follower performance outcomes.