Andrew Cassidy Saint Leo University Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Administration (CRJ 575) July 25, 2014 Dr. Donald G. Campbell Abstract Leaders fail to act accordingly based off theories that are examined in detail explaining the fall of a organization.       Background Leadership failures can be attributed to theories based off emergence or nature of the particular type or style of leadership.  Some theories that are examined are the traditional leadership theory, behavior and leadership styles theory, contingency and situational theory, transactional and transformational theory, comparison of charismatic and transformational leadership and finally the new leadership which represents the servant, spiritual, authentic and ethical style of leadership ( Swanson, C. R., Territo, L., and Taylor, R. W., 2012) .  Many reasons are listed why leaders fail but an effective leader should be developing and effective organization.  Reasons Why Leaders Fail             A  leader fails to act because of five different reasons (Haller, C.L., 2010).  The first is the interpersonal skills of a leader.  If the leader has a poor skill in interpersonal then the leader has lost the ability to inspire their people.  Poor communication fails underneath poor interpersonal skills.  A well-rounded leader gives feedback to their employees, which correlates a element that produces a high functioning organization.  Sometimes leaders fear the confrontation.  A good example of side stepping this would be learning the art of verbal judo.  The technique allows a employer to hear and understand the feelings but also takes into consideration the feelings of this a particular individual.  Part of being a leader is making risk decisions on short notice that may be difficult but may involve address issues with others that closely work around you.              The second reason leaders fail is the inability to adapt and change.  Part of the society we now live in requires us to adapt and overcome changes in the world.  A good leader must be able to see the good in anything and promote change from within.  New situations arise on daily basis and strategies must be formed accordingly in order to embrace the change.  The one thing a good leader can count on is constant change in the workplace.  I believe this to be especially true in law enforcement.  The third reason leaders fail to act is because leaders focus more on self -promotion focusing on being important or powerful.  The perception in the workplace is that this type of action is a betrayal of trust and  a failure of integrity.  The objective focus in this particular leader makes the performance not good enough to succeed but wants a celebrity status in return.  Some leaders want what is not theirs and pride themselves as being top dog in a organization.  The fourth reason why leaders fail is because of their indecisiveness.  A direct result of this is because the leader has alack of confi.

1. Andrew Cassidy
Saint Leo University
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Administration (CRJ
575)
July 25, 2014
Dr.
Donald G. Campbell
Abstract
Leaders fail to act accordingly based off theories that are
examined in detail explaining the fall of a organization.
Background
Leadership failures can be attributed to theories based off
emergence or nature of the particular type or style of

2. leadership. Some theories that are examined are the traditional
leadership theory, behavior and leadership styles theory,
contingency and situational theory, transactional and
transformational theory, comparison of charismatic and
transformational leadership and finally the new leadership
which represents the servant, spiritual, authentic and ethical
style of leadership (
Swanson, C. R., Territo, L., and Taylor, R. W., 2012)
. Many reasons are listed why leaders fail but an effective
leader should be developing and effective organization.
Reasons Why Leaders Fail
A leader fails to act because of five different reasons
(Haller, C.L., 2010). The first is the interpersonal skills of a
leader. If the leader has a poor skill in interpersonal then the
leader has lost the ability to inspire their people. Poor
communication fails underneath poor interpersonal skills. A
well-rounded leader gives feedback to their employees, which
correlates a element that produces a high functioning
organization. Sometimes leaders fear the confrontation. A
good example of side stepping this would be learning the art of
verbal judo. The technique allows a employer to hear and
understand the feelings but also takes into consideration the
feelings of this a particular individual. Part of being a leader is
making risk decisions on short notice that may be difficult but
may involve address issues with others that closely work around
you.
The second reason leaders fail is the inability to adapt
and change. Part of the society we now live in requires us to
adapt and overcome changes in the world. A good leader must
be able to see the good in anything and promote change from
within. New situations arise on daily basis and strategies must
be formed accordingly in order to embrace the change. The one
thing a good leader can count on is constant change in the
workplace. I believe this to be especially true in law
enforcement. The third reason leaders fail to act is because
leaders focus more on self -promotion focusing on being

3. important or powerful. The perception in the workplace is that
this type of action is a betrayal of trust and a failure of
integrity. The objective focus in this particular leader makes
the performance not good enough to succeed but wants a
celebrity status in return. Some leaders want what is not theirs
and pride themselves as being top dog in a organization. The
fourth reason why leaders fail is because of their
indecisiveness. A direct result of this is because the leader has
alack of confidence. The fifth and final reason why leaders fail
is their lack of trust in others. The authoritarian leadership
style is democratic in nature and proves to be a problem in
leading. The effective leader surround themselves who those
who can be trusted and set themselves up to succeed right from
the beginning.
Theories of Leadership
Theories help describe why leadership is a failure. In
the traditional sense of leadership, two theories such as great
man and the traits approach help address the problem. A great
man theory was developed, which explained gifted individuals
made history. Leadership styles vary by heredity,
environmental balances being influenced and roles developing
opportunities in leadership. The traits approach are nothing
more than examples in behavior. Prime example would be a
person who is energetic.
A theory called the behavior and leadership style
represents the action a leader possess. In other words,
authoritarian, democratic and laissez-faire are all styles of
leadership in how someone acts as a leader. The seems to be a
major difference in between all three styles of leadership.
Authoritarian style represents a leader saying its all my way.
The democratic style approaches leadership by taking into
account everyone’s opinion discussing all viable options. The
laissez-faire leader basically does whatever. This style has a
non-caring attitude and approaches a non-charismatic approach.
Contingency and situational leadership theories explain
no right way in handling situations. Contingency Theory

4. focuses more on capabilities and other factors regarding
leaders. Situational leadership is more about what leaders do.
Both of these theories touch on leader-follower relations and
position power.
Transactional and transformational leaders are opposite
in their direction. Transactional leaders do something to get
something in return. Transformational leadership make their
claim to fame by motivating their followers. The two things
they study are self-esteem and self-actualization.
Comparison of charismatic and transformational
leadership Charismatic leader posse several traits like a direct
visions that are accepted by their followers, strategies to help
enforce their vision, risk becomes a self-sacrifice in achieving
their vision, self interest has no motivation unlike their
followers, display a enthusiastic attitude towards confidence,
emotional sense of guidance more than their authority towards
their followers and finally selecting the most innovative vision
that appeals to their followers in a timely manner.
The new leadership theory is formulated off a non-
charismatic approach. The theory embarks on a journey to
explain why leaders do what they do. Most leaders scale an
upward hill towards achieving their goals and objectives. They
thrive in their accomplishments. Leaders provide an expert
level brought about through ensuring their followers have trust,
dedication, motivation and loyalty to their mission. New
leadership uses emotionally symbolic behaviors by envisioning,
empowering and supporting in ways to encourage their
followers. This leadership style also increases self-esteem in
their follower’s job and performance.
Understanding the Failure of Leaders
Some important factors in leadership are detrimental in
explaining the failure. Leaders fail to act because the don’t
understand the meaning of leadership (Akrani, G., 2010).
Leading is not easy task. The primary function is to plan and
organize. This is the busy element in leadership. Planning and
organizing concerns decisions that will create actions. Leaders

5. must guide and motivate their subordinates. Leaders need to
know the definition of leadership. Leadership means
influencing others towards the same objective. Characteristics
of leadership involve guiding and motivating, common interests
with subordinates, increases interests in the work area, support,
influential, dynamic approach, situational, obligation,
interaction and achievements.
Leaders posses a number of qualities and the reason
they fail to act as leader sis because they lack some of these
personal or managerial traits. Personal traits that leader
sometimes lack as part of the failure are self-confidence,
initiative, innovative, charisma, emotional mature, intelligence,
decisiveness, communication that is effective, dynamic
personality, vision, flexible and acceptance of responsibility.
Managerial traits consists of knowledge, administrative,
technical, dealing with people and decision-making. The
different styles of leadership sometimes make leaders fail to
act.
Overcoming Leadership Failures
Failures make great leaders. Great leaders learned to
follower before they lead by example. American leaders that
have paved the way for overcoming failures. Notable mentions
are Abraham Lincoln who failed in business, had a nervous
breakdown, got defeated in eight elections but freed the slaves
in the end, Nelson Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison
and Steve Jobs was fired from his own company (Jenson, K.,
2012). Great leaders are remembered of their
accomplishments. These great leaders overcame their failure by
being responsible and becoming their own master. Become the
master of your own fate. Leaders overcome failure through
self-acceptance and find peace with in yourself. Leaders
develop trust and learn to listen to their gut instinct. Great
leaders overcome failures by listening actively, thinking
critically, communicating transparently, owning the result
whether good or bad, becoming an influential inspiration and
understanding the art of negotiating favorable outcomes.

6. Conclusion
The analysis on the methods used to overcome failure as a
leader have been laid out. The true inspiration for overcoming
a failure as a leader is owing up to it and defining a viable
solution in handling the situation. Great leaders before us have
show the way by providing theories in leadership that combat
our leadership styles. Leaders fail to act because they are
hesitate to take own the responsibility.
References
Akrani, G. (2010). Managerial Leadership-Leader Qualities-
Leadership Theories. Kalyan City Life. Retrieved on July 25,
2014 from
http://kalyan-city.blogspot.com/2010/07/managerial-leadership-
leader-qualities.html
Haller, C.L. (2010). Top Five Reasons Leaders Fail. The
RavenOye Group. Retrieved on July 25, 2014 from
http://actpresidential.com/top-five-reasons-leaders-fail/
Jenson, K. (2012). Rock Bottom: How Great Leaders Triumph
Over Failure. Forbes Leadership. Retrieved on July 25, 2014
from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/keldjensen/2012/08/08/rock-
bottom-how-great-leaders-
triumph-over-failure/
Swanson, C. R., Territo, L., and Taylor, R. W. (2012). Police

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