What really is leadership?

The concept of leadership has its origins in the armies, and then spilled over to the industrial revolution.

Today, most business organisations claim to have the following in place:  Mission, Vision, Values, Strategic Plan, Board Committees, Processes Flowcharts, Job Descriptions, Performance Appraisals, Career and Succession Planning, Contingency/Business Continuity, the list goes on.

If so, what really is the role of leadership in business? Is it to ensure? Is it a full-time job, an integrated function or a competency? Which specific ‘strokes’ of work would you consider as leadership?

Time to reflect and justify the ‘investments’ made in the name of leadership!