In psychological science, there are four main theoretical approaches to the study of leadership: behavioral approach, situational approach, approach from the perspective of personal qualities (traits theory) and integrative approach (synthetic theory of leadership).
Initially in psychological science recognition received "theory traits" (sometimes is called "charismatic theory", from words "charisma"), which represents approach with positions personality qualities and focuses attention on innate and unique qualities leader. Within the framework of this theory, leadership as a socio-psychological phenomenon is considered as a set of outstanding personality traits that provide leaders with the opportunity to advance, take a leading position and hold power due to the presence of these unique traits.
The imperfection of the theory of leadership traits is that it indicates the innate nature of leadership qualities; following its postulates, the leader is initially endowed with certain traits that genetically passed to him. Consequently, leadership traits may have a certain limited number of people. Leaders are the bearers of certain skills inherent in them, and only to them, having an innate character and are found regardless of the characteristics of the situation or group.
In contrast to this theory, an approach was established that addressed the question of where leaders come from and what is the origin of the phenomenon of leadership itself. According to this theory, the leader is understood as the person who most meets the social expectations of the group and most consistently adheres to its norms and values.
The theory of leadership as a function of the group is the premise that group members choose a leader who is able to concentrate its main values; a leader must know and meet the interests and needs of their followers; it is a tool for achieving group goals. The disadvantage of this theory, proponents noted that it considers only the personality of the leader, without attaching importance to such features of the relationship as"leader-led".
No less famous in the Western scientific world is the " theory of leadership as a function of the situation "(R. bales, T. Newcombe, A. hare). The authors of this theory pointed out that the leader is not so much a function of the individual or group, as the result of a complex and multifaceted influence of various factors when entering into different situations. However, as noted by J. piaget, this approach completely removes the question of the activity of the leader's personality.
On the basis of previously created concepts of leadership in the second half of the XX century, a synthetic theory of leadership was founded, in which leadership is represented as a process arising from characteristic environmental factors - group and cultural. Within the framework of this theory, a plurality of optimal types of leadership is allowed. In accordance with the basic position of this theory, the performance of the group depends on the interaction of leadership style and the degree of favorability of the situation. It is easier to be a leader, if: group him trust and like; the group performs a clearly defined task; the position of leader is backed by real power.
One of the great paradoxes of the development of modern human society is that today the best leader is a new type of person who can persistently pursue their goals, emotionally detached, isolated from society, which is the leader of the narcissistic type. Isolation of the phenomenon of "narcissistic leader" in psychological science - in a broad sense - is usually associated with the growth of narcissistic tendencies in the modern human community. In a narrow sense, the narcissistic leader is increasingly spoken of when a person has a number of specific behavioral traits, such as self-sufficiency, self-confidence, independence from the opinions of other people.
In this article, we consider the validity of the concept of "narcissistic character" and present the results of a study of narcissistic correlates of leadership abilities on the material of a sample of military personnel. Today there are several approaches to the study of personality Nar-sessionscope type . One of the modern formulations of this problem reflects the understanding of the narcissistic phenomenon as a character trait (or a set of its features). The main characteristics of narcissistic character, believes O. F. Kernberg, is ambivalence: grandiosity, egocentrism, almost the complete lack of empathy and interest to other people, despite the fact, that personality with narcissistic the nature need in admiration and approval surrounding.
T. Millon notes, that personalities narcissistic type vividly characterizes interpersonal initiative, - reaching from faith in themselves: "Competitive, ambitious and assertive they realistically occupy positions leaders, act decisively and without fluctuations, expect from other recognition their exceptional qualities and indulgence them. In addition to confidence, they are fearless, intelligent and persuasive, charming enough to convince others to act for their own purposes." At the same time, it is noted that when the narcissistic leader reaches the goal, he becomes more and more self - confident and, at the same time, more direct-feels completely free from restrictions. There are more and more ideas and a sense of invincibility.
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