Definitions of Leader

1. Leader: A person who exerts influence over a number of people.
2. Leader: One who leads by initiating social behavior, by directing, organizing, or controlling the efforts of others, by prestige, power, or position.
3. Leader: A person who is spontaneously considered or chosen as influential in a given situation. These individuals guide and influence group members to action.
4. Leadership: The process of influencing the behavior of individuals in a real situation.
5. Leadership (Rogers & Olmsted): An activity in which effort is made to influence people to cooperate in achieving a goal viewed by the group as desirable.
6. Leadership (Hepple): The role and status of one or more individuals in the structure and functioning of group organizations, which enables these groups to meet a need or purpose that can only be achieved through cooperation of the group members.

Classification Based on Types of Leadership

1. Traditional Leaders: They emerge from tradition and stick to it. They resist change and may have vested interests to maintain power. e.g. tribal chief, Mulkhi Patil.
2. Caste Leader: Followers belong to the same caste, and the leader provides leadership on caste-related matters. e.g. Mulla, Pope.
3. Religious Leaders: Leaders based on religious doctrines, practices, and rituals. They advise on religious matters. e.g. Pujari.
4. Political Leaders: Leaders arising from the political system, such as MLA, MP, Chief Minister, Prime Minister.
5. Functional Leaders: Recognized for their specialized knowledge and function in society. e.g. doctors, scientists.
6. Opinion Leaders: Persons whom people seek advice from on certain issues, influencing decision-making. e.g. Sarpanch, Patil.

Other Classifications of Leaders

1. Operational Leaders: Leaders who initiate action within a group, regardless of elected position. e.g. Anna Hazare.
2. Popularity Leaders: Popular individuals elected to leadership positions, but may not be the true leader. They do little to initiate action and are sometimes figureheads. e.g. Film personality.
3. Assumed Representative Type: Individuals selected to represent a group, though they may or may not be a true leader of that group. e.g. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi.
4. Prominent Talent: Individuals recognized for their abilities and achievements in fields like arts and music. e.g. Lata Mangeshkar, A.P.J. Kalam.

Other Classifications

1. Professional Leaders/Operational Leaders: These leaders have received specialized training and work full-time in their occupation, being paid for their services. e.g. Extension Officer, Agricultural Officer.
2. Lay Leaders: These leaders may not have specialized training and work part-time, often without payment. They may be formal or informal leaders, depending on whether they hold a regular office. e.g. Youth Club President, Gram Sahayak.

Classification Based on Leadership Style

1. Autocratic Leader: Also known as an authoritarian leader, they believe subordinates cannot be trusted and must be controlled. They may act as benevolent autocrats, viewing employees as children and encouraging them to bring all problems to them. e.g. Zamindar.
2. Democratic Leader: Shares decision-making and planning with the group. Encourages participation from all members and fosters a sense of responsibility among them. e.g. Sarpanch and members of Gram Panchayat.
3. Laissez-faire Leader: Believes that if left alone, work will get done. They avoid decision-making and may withdraw from the workgroup.