David Straker's blog

I practiced Tai Chi for many years and one of the most central principles is harmony. In 'combat' with others, it means sensing fully where they are and moving with them as one. A key underlying skill is hence sensitivity, carefully feeling where they are. A next step is to guide them where you will, with the lightest of touches.

If you've not read about Ernest Shackleton, you're in for a treat. He was the archetypal leader in the early 20th Century. In contrast to Scott's do-or-die approach, when things got tough in his polar expedition, he determined to bring all his 27 men home alive, which he did, even though it took nearly a year, including a 200 mile sea journey across the Antarctic winter oceans in three small boats.

Assumptions behind the 'Great Man' Theory of Leadership

Leaders are born and not made.

Great leaders will arise when there is a great need.

Description of the theory

Early research on leadership was based on the the study of people who were already great leaders. These people were often from the aristocracy, as few from lower classes had the opportunity to lead. This contributed to the notion that leadership had something to do with breeding.