Traditional Leadership Theories Revisited

a critical perspective

Abstract

In order to understand the construction of theorizations about leadership, as well as the concepts and transformations that occurred in the field of Administration, we used Critical Theory as epistemological support to analyze concepts and historical conditions of Leadership Theory. Through qualitative research, we used the hermeneutic-dialectical method in our analyses. Specifically, we investigate the leadership theories: personal trait approach, style approach, contingency approach, and the new leadership approach, which are groupings made by Bryman (2009).  Our analyses indicate that leadership theories have naturalized the process in organizations. Faced with this thought, we sought to critically reflect on the leadership process by questioning its concept. We realize that, by abstracting the historical and conflictual context of the origin of the phenomenon, leadership theories configure themselves as Traditional Theories, producing instrumental rationalities, naturalized and at the service of capital.