EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN SPORTS LEADERSHIP

Leadership is a critical element in many spheres of human societies. Although scholars

hold divergent views on the definition of leadership, most concur on the need for leaders to bring

about positive changes in societies. According to Nohria and Khurana (2010), leadership refers

to "a certain quality of an individual personality" that sets a person a part from others (p. 8).

From a behaviorist perspective, Northouse (2007) defines leadership as "a process whereby an

individual influences a group of people to achieve a common goal" (p. 3). Scholars (Brinia,

2011; Gunbayani, 2005) concur that leadership is a position of influence that allows a person to

motivate, inspire, and to set direction for the purpose of achieving certain goals. Leadership

operates under three dimensions that include: context, vision, and action (Levitt, 2010).

Considering varying definitions of leadership, Bass (1997) and Fiedler (1993) suggest the

meaning of leadership be defined and understood within specific situations or contexts.