Much has been written about leadership: how to define, observe and develop it. There is a seemingly limitless number of descriptons of leadership styles, which tend to fall into 7 broad categories, including the "great man," trait, contingency, situational, behavioral, participative, management, and relationship theories. There is, however, no consensus on a defintion of leadership. It remains very much like charisma: most of us want it and know it when we see it.
In the MBA Admissions process, there are a number of general ways that aspiring MBAs can demonstrate leadership as it is broadly defined to Admissions Committees at top business schools, including the following formal and informal means:
FORMAL LEADERSHIP
• Elected or nominated leadership positions in extra-curricular activities in college
• Elected or nominated leadership positions in community service
• Promotions and/or bonuses at work
INFORMAL LEADERSHIP
• Initiative to create a new non-profit or other organization – for example, we have seen instances of applicants starting non-profits to raise money for a sustained and favored cause such as cancer, AIDs, or childhood illness.
• Drive to create a new business – we see an increasing number of applicants who work full-time and start a side business on their own – sometimes a profitable one at that! Ex: we see quite a few in the social media domain, which is rapidly evolving.
• Ability to Influence – this is the ability to persuade others to take a course of action and thus steer a strategic decision or direction of an organization. An example would be to persuade a boss to move in a new strategic direction in a company. Even if the boss takes credit for it, he has been successful.
• Successful management of one's own career – assumes responsibility for his or her own career and works to make it happen. This kind of person is ubiquitous and tends to be everywhere – in the community, where key members of his firm or industry are present.
• Talent to keenly observe and seize opportunities – there are individuals who stand out as leaders at every level in an organization. Your job is what you make of it. Nature abhors a vacuum and leaders are ready to fill it. For example, a company has not branded itself well and an individual begins to garner support for a new branding initiative.
• Innovative, problem-solving approach to events - for example, your essays or interview reveal your thought processes and approach to such questions as: "If you were made CEO tomorrow, what would the organization look like under your leadership?"
and, surprisingly, to some:
• Ability to follow - to support and build up others – to allow them to excel and receive recognition and credit for accomplishments.
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Read the full article: Thoughts on Leadership