Leadership theories have evolved over the years, beginning with the Great Man Theory of 450 B.C. to the 1940s, Behavioral Theory of 1940s to 1960s, and situational theory of the 1970s to present. All three stages of leadership have gone through various transitional phases that relate to the concept of leadership. Understanding of different stages of leadership theories provides adequate knowledge for understanding leadership process. The information helps in understanding how individuals emerge to become great and influential leaders.
Great Man Theory is one of the most primitive phases of leadership theory, which existed between 450 BC and 1940s. Great Man Theory posits that leaders are not made; they are born with specific traits. The theory focused on an individual member of society who was viewed as "great” based on his level of intelligence, moral force and energy, and other direction which the mass follows ( Ledlow & Stephens, 2017) . The great theory began from the time of Moses from the Bible, who was known as a Great leader and other influential leaders who led the world to civilization. Based on the theory, a leader is considered great based on his heroic deeds.
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George Washington, the First American President, is remembered as a great leader. Washington was wise in his deeds and words, which made him a great man when it comes to making judicial decisions for the nation ( Harris, 2018) . When analyzing George Washington in relation to Great Man theory, one will come across the idea of a hero giving protection from the unseen. During the making of the American nation in 1787, Washington showed integrity, wisdom, courage, and determination in the founding and establishment of the U.S. model applied to date.
The behavioral phase of leadership took place between the 1940s to the 1960s. The stage seeks to determine the particular behavior and styles that cause other people to follow them. This phase focuses on the behavior of leaders and argues that leaders can be made to fit and become successful in different situations ( Ledlow & Stephens, 2017) . The theory emphasizes the work of the leaders and how they learn different capabilities instead of their qualities. Behavioral leadership base its arguments on theory X and theory Y, which illustrate the behavior of leaders. Lewin Kurt examine behavior leadership style based on autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership style. In autocratic style, leaders make decisions by themselves without involving the subordinate. Democratic leaders include subordinates in the decision-making process, while laissez-faire leaders give employees total freedom to make organizational decisions. Research by Ohio state examines behavioral leadership based on four management functions of planning, organizing, and directing.
Martin Luther King Jr is one of the greatest leaders in American history who applied the behavioral style of leadership to win the trust and massive followers. As a civil rights activist, Luther took the responsibility of leading black movement activists seriously and gave people messages of love, hope, equality, and nonviolence ( Taylor, 2003) . Through the use of charismatic actions together with excellent oration skills, Luther managed to deliver a powerful message in "I have a dream," which attracted many followers. Based on the traits of a behavioral leader, Martin Luther led by example during the era of civil rights movements in the 1960s, leading to the success of the Civil Rights Policy of 1964.
The situational phase of leadership began in the 1970s to the present. The phase explains effective leadership in the context of a large work environment. The leader adapts various styles and strategies based on the situation at hand. Since its foundation by Blanchard and Hersey in late 1960s, situational leadership theory has been advanced to fit various situations ( Ledlow & Stephens, 2017) . Situational leadership is established based on the dimension of subordinate, supervisor, task characteristics and organizational culture. The theory was developed based on principles of telling, selling, participating, and delegating ( Ledlow & Stephens, 2017) . Also, the situations theories place leaders under four systems of development (maturity levels) starting from low competence, some competence, moderate, and high competence.
John Wooden is an example of a situational leader who successfully coached American college basketball to excellency. Wooden leadership style was based on understanding different situations of the players and influence g the team to achieve the set goals. Wooden followed the three significant factors of situational leadership of leaders, followers, and situations, which he applied interactively to change the nature of the relationship and achieve success (Wooden & Jamison, 2004). Wooden enhanced teamwork during his coaching period, a strategy that helped him identify personal strengths and weaknesses of prayers and coach them to become players.
References
Harris, T. C. (2018). George Washington: a revolutionary approach to leadership. Leadership & Organization Development Journal .
Ledlow, G. J. R., & Stephens, J. H. (2017). Leadership for health professionals . Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Taylor, R. B. (2003). Leadership is a learned skill. Family Practice Management , 10 (9), 43.
Wooden, J., & Jamison, S. (2004). My personal best: Life lessons from an all-American journey . McGraw Taylor, R. B. (2003). Leadership is a learned skill. Family Practice Management , 10 (9), 43.
