What is Relational Leadership?

Navigate The Leadership Questions and Answers Section

Index Page - Leadership Models, Theories and Terms
General Leadership Questions and Principles
Leadership Challenges and Their Solutions
Developing Your Leadership Capabilities
Leadership Myths and Mistakes
Leadership Skills, Actions and Behaviors

Another Leadership Model

Relational Leadership refers to a model or perspective on leadership that focuses on the idea that leadership effectiveness has to do with the ability of the leader to create positive relationships within the organization. Wheatley (1992) describes the principle as follows:

Leadership is always dependent on the context, but the context is established by the relationships we value.

In the book, Exploring Leadership for College Students Who Want to Make a Difference, by Susan R. Komives, and Timothy R. McMahon, the authors map out the concept of relational leadership in more detail.

Their model includes the following components:

inclusiveness
empowering
purposeful
ethical, and
process oriented