The Evolution of Leadership

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In early times, when we as humans were first beginning to evolve, life was based on mainly 3
things: food, shelter, and reproduction. In these times, the tendencies of human nature were
demonstrated; a species of compassionate, social and selfish organisms. Survival was always the
main priority for humans, and humans learned that living and working together greatly increases
their chance. Understanding the concept of cooperation, humans also discovered the need for an
exceptional type of person to lead and guide the people, using their expertise to the advantage of
the survival of their tribe. For early human life, a chief or king would be established, based on
certain skill sets and qualities that gave the person an advantage and desirability to be regarded
as a leader. Strength, skill and abilities would often be the deciding factor for a leader.
Throughout history, up until around the 19th century, industrialization and technologic advances
in machinery and factories began to take place. But from before then, in most social groups like
tribes, kingdoms and countries, leaders were generally applicable only to political and military
persons. The history of the world is one of war and fighting, where a leader would be a man who
would be a great warrior, tactician, or strategist. This period of time can be described as an era
with inclination towards personality and greatness in respect to leadership.
Progress has been made in terms of applicable situations requiring leadership in the last couple
hundred years. The introduction to industrialization and technological advancement ushered in a
new workplace environment and the need for leaders in the workplace. The development of
positions where an employee of authority can manage and direct subordinates leaves space for a
figure that must find ways to lead a group of individuals. As the times changed, the meaning of
leader changed. From being a tough soldier with ambition and abilities of killing, to now
organizing and managing underlings in the best interest of the company, a leader is now defined
as a role usually pertaining to the work place or a social group. So, as time passes, so do the
needs and requirements of a leader. The proof is in history, showing how a cultural or societal
need for a leader, what qualifies them as a leader, and different approaches towards executing the
roles of a leader, can change due to requirement.
The evolution of leadership theory and approach has definitely changed throughout history.
Leaders are individuals who are exceptionally talented, charismatic and differentiate themselves
from others in a positive manner. Because of the uniqueness of individual personalities and
character traits, leadership can be very difficult to generalize in and establish solid characteristics
about different types of leaders. Instead, a leader is one who is endowed with a charismatic
personality, talented and can influence others to follow them because of their greatness. These
leaders as well must take societal and cultural considerations, to target and assess what is needed
to be done, making them a leader with referent power to their followers.