Leadership in conflict response: A conceptual exploration

Abstract

This chapter presents the nexus of leadership and conflict response. The subject of leadership maintains its importance today, as in the past, from the ancient Greek texts and Latin classics to the Canons of Confucianism. Psychology and psychiatry try to answer questions about the necessities of leadership in the context of psycho-behaviourism and human nature. Leadership has been analysed through different approaches and methodologies, although scientific research in the leadership area only began in the 20th century. Robert Greenleaf first coined the term ‘servant leadership’ in his seminal work The Servant Leader , first published in 1970. Spiritual leadership can contribute to the concept of many leadership styles as it has some similarities, especially with transformational, moral, and servant leadership. Leaders are more interested in shaping the future and are rarely motivated by material considerations as they believe in making more immense sacrifices.