Why People Want to Become Leaders? Motivations to Lead

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Why People Want to Become Leaders? Motivations to Lead

Leadership roles in an organization are obviously pivotal to the successful and smooth functioning of the organization in terms of both tactical (day-to-day) issues and strategic (long-term) perspectives. Activities range from chalking out the business strategies, coordinating with various stakeholders, motivating the top management team and the entire workforce, to ensuring that the organizational goals are met and that the business is headed towards the desired direction. Without any exaggeration it can be said that heading a large organization is extremely difficult and demanding, for example in terms of your private life.

So what motivates people to take up leadership positions anyway? Why do certain people choose to be a leader?

What is The Motivation to Lead? Concept Introduction

In their research, Chan and Drasgow (2001) tried to establish a construct that explains why individuals are motivated to become leaders or undergo the necessary training to step into leadership roles. They termed this as the Motivation to Lead or MTL. They found that the Motivation to Lead arises due to 3 components – Affective-Identity MTL (the very act of leading brings satisfaction), Calculative / Non-Calculative MTL (weighing the costs and benefits of becoming a leader or not), or Social-Normative MTL (a sense of responsibility or obligation to lead):

1. Affective-Identity Motivation to Lead: This form of motivation is seen when an individual is driven by a desire to lead or be in charge of others. The individual derives a sense of happiness and satisfaction from the very act of leading others.
2. Calculative / Non-Calculative Motivation to Lead: Human beings are considered rational, and thus make decisions after assessing the costs and benefits of the expected results. The benefits associated with leading are the special privileges, rewards, and recognition; the costs include responsibilities, time constraints, social pressure, etc. Non-Calculative MTL is observed when individuals do not weigh the costs and benefits rationally. For example, individuals strongly attracted towards the benefits (rewards) of being a leader tend to underestimate the costs (risks) and choose to assume the leadership role.
3. Social-Normative Motivation to Lead: This form of motivation is derived from a sense of responsibility or duty to lead others. The individual may assume the leadership role when nominated or called upon by a group or community to lead them. This social pressure (expectation) motivates the individual to lead.

The challenges associated with leadership positions are multi-faceted and ever-changing. Possessing leadership skills is not enough for effective leadership. A leader must be strongly motivated to lead the team - ready to face any challenge head-on.

⇒ If you are or have been in Leadership roles, do you associate with any of these forms of motivation to lead? Can you think of other types of motivations that drive leaders?

Sources:
Chan, Kim-Yin and Drasgow, Fritz (2001) "Toward a Theory of Individual Differences and Leadership: Understanding the Motivation to Lead", Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 481-498
Guillén, L., Mayo, M., and Korotov, K. (2015) "Is leadership a part of me? A leader identity approach to understanding the motivation to lead", The Leadership Quarterly, 26, 802-820
Aronoff, L. (2019) "Dynamic Motivation to Lead: Construct Validity of Motivation to Lead", CMC Senior Theses, 2254

		Comments by date▼ Comments by rating Rating
		7 Michael Carew Business Consultant, Australia
	The Motivation to Lead Hi Devayani, Interesting subject thank you. Re "other types of motivations that drive leaders", I have been leader in my own companies for over 40 years mostly from inception to commercialisation and exit, always driven to do something bigger. I tried to convince myself that my motivation to lead was to create long term financial security for my family, this motivation lead me all over the world as leader of my various organisations. People said I was a great leader, but all of this was at the expense of my family and children as they were growing up. I would tell my family I was making this sacrifice for them. On reflection that was nowhere near the truth, I was sacrificing my family for the feeling of significance that being a leader gave me. I've heard of many cases where leaders retire and in doing so lose their significance and suffer depression, I was one of them, I was lucky that being a husband and father was significant enough for my family and in hindsight leaves me feeling very significant. In summary the motivation to lead others to obtain the feeling of significance for self can be at the cost to the ones you are most significant to.

		2 John Henry Project Manager, United States
	Leaders, or Leadership Positions? I am going to give you a short response. People become leaders, because those at that moment in leadership positions (management mostly) leave a void (Editor: ~an empty space, vaccum). For example in a project / a process delivery system or an entire organization. In other words, someone from the rank and file who recognizes the wheel spinning, the lack of motion, and the frustration on the part of the group, identifies a direction, a solution, a way forward, and shares it. So often a person becomes a leader because there is not one present, or at least they are not fulfilling the requirements of leadership. However many people take leadership (management) positions simply for the money offered. As they learn their roles, they become one of the many managers who avoid making decisions, because decisions make them responsible, and responsibility gets them fired. I know it sounds pretty negative. But any organization of significant size has many non leading, responsibility avoiding managers... Some people (I suggest Michael) developed themselves into strong leaders effective leaders, because of the truth that "someone has to do it and it is my responsibility to lead" These kind of managers have loyal followers and achieve great things. I bet Michael did not surround himself with people who wanted leadership positions. He found leaders and let them lead. Leaders are made, usually make themselves. They are not born, as such. However there are some personality traits that bring some people into greatness as leaders. Others with the same traits, never decide to lead. Funny how that works.

		3 Michael Carew Business Consultant, Australia
	Two Types of Leaders @John Henry: Hi John, thanks for the kind mention, I'm very much in agreement with you. Leadership has many levels and many faces, You can not readily fake good leadership as those you lead can read ...

		1 Sunita Rani Teacher, India
	Leaders and Doing Something for Society In my surrounding, I see some civil service officers who are young, intelligent and competitive and many of them educated from prime educational institutions. They chose for the public sector over the...

		2 Paul von Zeuner Consultant, South Africa
	Why People Become Leaders? There is another critical aspect and that is to develop other leaders. Leaders of leaders multiply. And leaders of followers just add. If you are able and motivated to lead and develop others to le...

		2 Gregory Johnson Coach, United States
	Prescription of Leadership I found this dialogue to be very interesting and timely. I agree with nearly everything both Mr. Carew and Mr. Henry highlighted. One note to Mr. Carew, this is not a dilemma just or primarily for lar...

		2 S. v. Weers Career Consultant, Netherlands
	Honesty and Intrinsic Motivation @Michael Carew: Hi Michael, I was touched by your honest and realistic sharing. At the birth of my first daughter, in my early thirties, I met a somewhat older man like you. He shared with me that he ...

		0 Michael Carew Business Consultant, Australia
	Honesty and Intrinsic Motivation to Lead @S. v. Weers: Thanks, only possible with an amazing and strong selfless person as a partner who is now working 14hrs a day to turn around an NGO specialising in the disabilities sector - she is where ...

		1 Mohammed Entrepreneur, Sultanate of Oman
	Someone Assuming a Leadership Position is not Necessarily a Leader According to my environment, it tends to what Mr. John Henry mentioned. It does not mean that someone assuming a leadership position is a leader. It may be chosen due to relationships or someone's rec...

		0 Michael Business Consultant, Australia
	Small Business Stressors @Gregory Johnson: Hi Gregory, I agree absolutely, small business owners are under a lot of stress, especially in times of hardship, Covid etc. My biggest concern when I was a small business owner was ...

		2 S. v. Weers Career Consultant, Netherlands
	Leading by Example @Michael Carew: A lucky man indeed, to have such a wise woman, strong and selfless. I guess you are a team ;-) At the core, the insight is maybe simple and self-evident, but it can take a lifetime to...

		1 zol Zal Business Consultant, United States
	My Motivation to Become a Leader @Michael Carew: Thanks Mr. Carew and Mr. Henry for your insights. This is my first post, typing from phone, so thx for inspiring me to contribute. I agree with your versions and would like to share fr...

		2 Javier Elenes Business Consultant, Mexico
	Challenge as a Main Motivator to be a Leader In my opinion CHALLENGE is also a motivator to become a leader. Roger Penske, a great leader in sports and business said: "Every day I like to get up because there is another challenge to beat". Cha...

		1 Don Page Professor, Canada
	Why we Lead? To Make Something Better for Others or More Selfish, for Ourselves Leading often comes from having a healthy dissatisfaction with the status quo. People who step in to lead recognize that they need the support of others (followers, peers, or team mates) to accomplish...

		1 Graham Williams Management Consultant, South Africa
	The Motivation to Lead Michael (Carew), your authentic sharing of vulnerability has opened up a rich, important exploration. Thank you. In my experience of leadership coaching I find that many experience being lonely, isol...

		0 Molokanova Professor, Ukraine
	Prescription of Leadership The discussion on leadership can be endless, as everyone can add something of their own to leadership. I like the definition "A leader is one who accepts the challenges of the time and responds to the...

		2 Madhav Kawathekar India
	Leadership for Self Satisfaction Every human being wants to get appraised. His thrust to be different from common personalities, his attitude to be outstanding from others, motivates him to face the challenging situations ahead. Indi...

		1 Jaap de Jonge Editor, Netherlands
	Affective-Identity Leadership Motivation @Madhav Kawathekar: Thank you for your thoughtful response. Would you agree that the kind of motivations of leaders you mention (the thrust for a sense of achievement, the pride of self satisfaction a...

		1 Kuldeep Tanwar Director, India
	Motivation to Lead Interesting topic - what motivates leaders? We are all well aware that Leadership is a vast topic and the success of any organization depends a lot on their leaders and their leadership traits. We cal...

		1 Maurice Hogarth Consultant, United Kingdom
	Why People are Driven to Leader Appointments The article indicates that leadership is an organisational Director level activity. It is of course applicable throughout the management hierarchy and in groupings outside of business organisations. ...