A Systematic Review of Various Leadership Theories

Abstract

Leadership is an essential element in the success of any organization. The style of leadership used has a great influence on the behavior of employees, and thus their productivity directly relates to it. There are several theories developed which defines leadership in its way, and there is continuous development in this field. The current study examines the theories that emerged in leadership literature. Various theories like trait, behavioral, contingency, and emerging theories are described briefly in a systematic way. It is found that as time passed, the way to see leadership also changed, styles like transformational, transactional, authentic, ethical, servant emerged as new dimensions which suit to the changing business environment.