Abstract
The concept of leadership, which is the subject of many academic studies, is accepted as a phenomenon which is also emphasized in social sciences. With globalization and rapid and continuous development in the field of communication technologies, it has caused radical changes in many subjects from economy to politics, from organizational structures to management approach. In this study, firstly, the definition of the concept of leadership was made. Then, the scale studies in the literature related to the subject of leadership are included. Leadership theories, postmodern leadership types, and common leadership types are explained. With the research, the concept of leadership, which still does not have a clear definition in the literature and is changing day by day, has been extensively studied. The aim of the study is to contribute to the academic literature about the concept of leadership. Moreover, the study also aims to clarify the increasing importance of leadership in managing post-pandemic crises.
TopIntroduction
Although leadership has maintained its importance throughout history, it has changed according to the leader need of the period. This concept, which found its place in the state administration before the industrial revolution, started to be discussed in the field of business management after the industrial revolution and became the subject of academic studies with the 20th century. So much so that only in the 20th century, more than 5000 studies were carried out and more than 350 definitions of leadership and leader were put forward (Erçetin, 2000). Although many definitions have been made up to now, a clear definition has not been developed yet (Bass, 1990).
When the historical process is examined, in many periods; It is seen that different leadership theories and types, which are affected by cultural differences according to the situation, time and conditions, have emerged.
When leadership theories are examined in the historical process, it is seen that different leadership approaches have emerged depending on the period. Prior to the 1940s, the leadership approach based on innate characteristics left its place to the view that it is a trait that can be learned after the 1940s. This change is going on over the decades and is also effected by the pandemic crises.