Paper Example: The Integrated Psychological Theory of Leadership

Introduction

Integrated leadership is associated with the development of skills that allow for the development of solutions that provide one with the capacity to be an effective leader. This paper delves into the different aspects of integrated leadership with the aim of demystifying this concept and how it has influenced the evolution of leadership research. One can determine the various integration techniques available to a leader by delving into aspects of leadership that incorporate leadership strategies as well as styles and skills. Another feature that has also been discussed in this paper includes the application of transformational leadership as an aspect of effective leadership. This paper allows one to understand the different aspects of integrated psychological theory of leadership in real life use as well as how it has been incorporated into the evolution of leadership research.

Integrative Leadership Strategies

According to Avolio(2007), for one to determine the degree of which one is a leader, it is necessary to integrate the different aspects of quality leadership. It has been found that there are elements of leadership that affect the quality and skills imparted by an individual. There has also been a consistent argument as to whether leaders are born or made. Addressing this argument would require one to look into leadership by integrating the different leadership strategies as applied by various people. Some of the key elements that have been discussed include charisma as well as transformation as implemented with regards to effective leadership (Avolio, 2007). Avolios research, however, concludes that followers play a vital role in selecting the individuals they consider to be effective leaders; this approach towards research regarding leadership has proven integrative and is being used in modern leadership strategies. It is evident from the methods of this research that psychological concepts with regards to leadership have influenced the research process. Focus on charisma as a concept of leadership has been incorporated in the research because of the acknowledgment of the psychological aspect of leadership.

The academic system has had several improvements where integrative leadership is involved. Boberg and Bourgeois (2016) point to the gains that have been realized in the education sector as a result of incorporating integrative leadership as applied in the education sector. One of the features that can be associated with effective leadership includes cooperation on the part of the students as well as commitment on the part of the teachers. Applying effective leadership has allowed for the development of quality engagement as an element of integrative leadership (Boberg & Bourgeois, 2016). Commitment and cooperation as aspects of leadership point to the practical nature with which integrated psychological leadership models have influenced leadership research. Engagement and collaboration are effective psychological approaches to the leader follower relationship.

One of the most effective means of acquisition of leadership skills in the multimedia industry starts with the introduction of leaders to strategies that are incorporated in the standard education system. However, it has been found that developing a means of leadership that includes leadership strategies such as public relations as well as different entrepreneurial skills should allow one to draw up a method of developing one's leadership skills effectively. Bronstein and Fitzpatrick (2015) point to the need for developing leadership skills and values as a strategy for developing integrated leadership in the future leaders of the journalism industry. The modern education system is being modified to incorporate these strategies as well as applying such psychological approaches. The research by Bronstein and Fitzpatrick (2015) has been influenced by integrated psychological leadership models in that it focuses on the aspect of incorporating public relations into leadership models.

While certain leadership skills may be important, it has been found that integrating trust from one's followers develops the effective leadership needed for the development of effective groups (Burke, Sims, Lazzara, & Salas, 2007). One of the features of integrated leadership that have been identified as pertaining the development of trust in ones followers is transformational leadership. It has been determined that the skills developed with regards to integrative leadership are what allowed the followers of leaders like Hitler and Alexander the Great to develop the skills necessary for the approval of ones capacity for effective leadership. It has also been determined that transformation, as incorporated in leadership, has developed the capacity for the effective application of leadership skills. The concepts of transformation and trust are based on integrated psychological leadership models. The research by Burke, Sims, Lazzara, and Salas (2007) shows how research into leadership strategies has recently taken to the psychological aspect as well as the advantage of these changes.

Leaders that have effectively incorporated their capacity to serve in their leadership style have also been found to be effective with regards to the delivery of the desired leadership skills (Coggins & Bocarnea, 2015). It has been pointed out that evangelical Christian leaders have effectively shown that the skills imparted in those that have developed the skills needed in the application of leadership skills allow for the development of psychological capital; this capital is especially essential in developing a following (Coggins & Bocarnea, 2015). The research concludes that effective leadership requires the application of effective leadership skills as well as the integration of other skills in one's unique leadership style.

Leadership Styles and Skills

Individual leadership styles have been argued to be more effective in comparison to other. Transformational leadership styles have been found to be better at application with regards to the application of services and actions associated with hospitality (Gatling, Kang, & Kim, 2016). Some of the aspects of leadership that can be argued to be effective include moral perspectives, relationship transparency, and self-awareness (Gatling, Kang, & Kim, 2016). These skills have been found to tremendously improve the effectiveness of a leader when integrated to their modus operandi. The application of these skills, most of which depend on the psychological application, have been employed in businesses today. Research is, therefore, going to focus on the popular leadership approaches as applied on the ground. Integrated- Psychological Leadership Models such as transformational leadership will be analyzed in research paper such as that by Gatling, Kang, and Kim (2016) because they are popular and effective.

Diversity has also been argued to be an effective integrative approach to leadership because it provides a differing point of view for those who have observed its application. Leadership styles involve the application of practical skills that can be found in a diverse pool of skilled individuals. Diversity as an aspect of leadership has been characterized by different psychologists to develop the grit of a given team (Gotsis & Grimani, 2016). It has been found that the application of diverse leadership skills is especially essential when ones followers are also diverse. Research into diversity as an element of leadership is therefore found to be effective in the development of persons with the application of adequate skills; this can be directly traced to integrated psychological leadership models. The effectiveness of diversity in leadership has been found to influence the application of effective outcomes (Gotsis & Grimani, 2016).

Charisma as an element of psychological application in leadership has also been found to be crucial with regards to integrative leadership. However, some of the most effective elements of leadership that works with leadership include a leaders skills, as well as the attitudes of the followers in question (Groves, 2005). Other contextual elements of charismatic integrated leadership that have limited the skills one acquires in their endeavor to become effective leaders include their capacity for empathy or effective emotional leadership skills. It has also been argued that the capacity for the leaders to adopt organizational change may also influence the ability of an individual to improve their capacity for leadership(Groves, 2005). One of the approaches that have been associated with the integrative aspect of charismatic leadership includes the development of ones social skills. Integrating ones social skills with emotional skills should allow for the development of effective leadership capacities.

The leadership style that one adopts will either improve or destroy the ability of a given company to perform. It has also been found that some of the services that have been developed over time include the merging of different leadership styles to develop an amalgamation of leadership styles that offers one the optimum capacity for leadership (Hussain & Hassan, 2016). Incorporating different leadership styles and skills in one's leadership portfolio is the whole premise for effective leadership. An example of leadership skills that have been found to be effective includes an authoritarian leadership style as well as democratic leadership strategies. Identifying and developing a strategy that allows for the development of strategies that can incorporate the two strategies depending on the effective nature with which the different measures have been applied result in the effective realization of solutions to leadership.

Teacher leadership, an element of the integrated psychological theory of leadership, is also a different style of leadership that has been determined to influence the learning strategies adopted by one's followers, in this case, students. Some of the features of teacher leadership that are associated with efficiency and effectiveness include distribution with regards to the models employed (Turker, 2016).The role adopted by a teacher in delivering their intended leadership expectations to the students and society often involves more activities other than teaching. Taking an integrative approach with regards to one's leadership skills allows one to develop the capacity for effective leadership. The approaches taken by researchers who delve into approaches taken up by teachers and other fields of leadership are heavily integrated psychological leadership models.

Behavior as an Element of LeadershipPlanned behavior as an element of effective leadership has been found to be applied with regards to the effective measures that contribute towards the positive development of an individual. However, the development of such planned behavior is also associated with the effective application of solutions that would factor in the psychological needs of an individual(Gucciardi & Jackson, 2015). The psychological theory of integrated leadership is associated with the effective application of one's capacity for effect...