The Story of Leadership: The Historical Development of Leadership Thought

Abstract

The story and progression of leadership thinking is tracked throughout history. Beginning with the family unit then moving through tribalism and the emergence of all-powerful kings, Plato’s philosopher king, and the Tao Te Ching, and the leadership thoughts of Jesus and Machiavelli. The chapter then moves to the story of leadership thinking through the twentieth century from Scientific Management to Transformational Leadership then into the twenty-first century summarizing the development of current leadership theories and approaches. The “threads of history” tracked through this story are the three mindsets of leadership; autocratic, servant, and paternalistic (parental). The leadership choice faced by King Rehoboam is considered and how that choice is still faced by leaders today. The chapter ends with the image of Ozymandias proclaiming his greatness from a broken, neglected statue.