Define 'leadership'.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] A popular textbook definition of leadership is: 'the art of motivating a group of people towards achieving a common objective'. This definition should be awarded 2 marks.
2. [2] Other more specific definitions of leadership include reference to: giving a sense of direction, a vision or purpose, guidance, inspiration, long-term and strategic, for or within an organisation. Such definitions should also be given 2 marks. (This definition of leadership is clearly different to definitions of a manager.)
3. [1] Definitions which list motivation as the activity of leadership with nothing else should be awarded 1 mark.
4. [0] Definitions which only give a definition of management such as organising, controlling, coordinating = 0 marks.
5. NB: reference to different style(s) of leadership without any relevant leadership definition is 0. This question is about the definition of leadership not styles of leadership.
6. [2] Sound definition given
7. [1] Partial explanation (limited understanding)
8. [3] Sound explanation of two advantages of autocratic leadership
9. [2] Sound explanation of one advantage or partial explanation of two
10. [1] Partial explanation of one advantage or a list of two
11. Leaders take decisions on their own – no discussion – set objectives themselves, issue instructions - close control and monitoring.
12. Useful when orders/decisions need to be responded to quickly – e.g. army/police.
13. Important in emergency situations – accidents, disasters – requiring a focused leadership and co-ordinated decisions.
14. Useful when workers are content to get the job done and have no desire for empowerment or for participation, consultation, Theory X.
15. Prevents drift and ensures a focus on objectives.