The Influence of Leadership

Definitions and thoughts about leadership have been replicated in words and actions by great leaders of the times. For instance, General George Patton's avowal that one can either lead, follow, or get out of the way dovetails the classification of leadership theory and research through three relevant elements; leaders, followers, and the situation. Noted Mahatma Gandhi, an eminent civil rights leader of movement for the Indian independence, "at one time, leadership may have meant muscles, but today it means getting along with people." Thus, the charismatic portrait of the modern leadership looks nothing like Fidel Castro. It is a faceless portrait that epitomizes the toughness of Ronald Reagan, Nelson Mandela's charisma, and the most compassionate heart of Mother Theresa. This book is a scholarly research - a qualitative phenomenological research study about Nigerian citizens living through a political, economic, social, and cultural phenomena of leadership catastrophe. The general problem examined was that the quality of life that the citizens of the country experience was dependent on the leadership and when the leadership is flawed, the citizens may suffer. Hence, salvaging the situation requires effective leaders equipped with transformational competencies to manage not just the people, but also their environment, needs, civic responsibilities, entitlements, and other basic necessities. The study provided an insightful understanding of Nigerians experiencing the consequences of a leadership process under economic, political, cultural, and social hardships. The study was guided by a theoretical framework that included Fred Fielder's Contingency Leadership theory, Transactional, and Transformational Leadership theories. The research exclusively used semi-unstructured interviews to gather relevant data. As primary benefits, research studies enable individuals to make more informed decisions, develop work environments, and gain new knowledge. The result and conclusions of the research findings created substantial recommendations for current and future leaders and impending studies in management in organizational leadership. The study results uncovered fundamental leadership gaps in management, discussed the implications, and offered constructive mitigation strategies. Research study recommendations categorized under moral philosophy, organizational change, transformation, and diversity management added new information to existing knowledge of leadership and the Nigerian management system. Author and study researcher, Dr. Anthony Obi Ogbo, a journalist for 34 years, is the president of American Journal of Transformational Leadership. He holds a Masters in Human Resources and Human Resources Management, and a Doctorate in Management in Organizational Leadership.