ILM Level 3 Understanding Leadership

• Personal Development
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

ILM Level 3 Understanding Leadership

Welcome learners; remind them this unit helps them understand what makes a leader effective and how different leadership styles affect people.

💬 Prompt: “Think of someone you see as a leader — not just a boss — what made them stand out?”

Learning Outcomes

AC 1.1 Describe the factors that will influence the choice of leadership styles or behaviours in workplace situations

 

AC 1.2 Explain why these leadership styles or behaviours are likely to have a positive or negative effect on individual and group behaviour

💬 Ask: “Why do you think leadership style might change depending on the situation?”

Think of a boss that you admired. Why did you admire them?

What skills and qualities did they have?

Are people 'born leaders' or do they practice and develop their skills?

Born leaders

Develop skills

The Great Man Theory

In the early 20th century, with leadership literature just emerging, it was believed that leaders were born not made. Many leaders in various fields came from cultured, educated, and rich families, hence that assumption. It was called the Great Man theory.

“In the early 20th century, people believed leaders were born, not made. Leadership was thought to be an innate quality — something you either had or you didn’t.

The idea came from observing powerful political, military, and industrial figures — almost all men from privileged backgrounds — and assuming their leadership was due to natural greatness rather than opportunity or education.

This theory reflected the social attitudes of the time — limited education for most people, strict class systems, and male dominance in leadership roles.”

Why do you think society believed leadership was something you were born with?”

Trait Theory

Trait leadership theory suggests that certain individuals have inherent qualities that make them effective leaders. These traits may vary, but some are most commonly observed in successful leaders.

Determination: Every successful leader needs a strong will to overcome challenges and achieve goals. Stubborn? Maybe. But in a good way!

Self-confidence: Leaders need to make decisions and stand by them. Self-confidence is the key to making hard choices without wavering.

Integrity: Honesty and consistency are paramount in leadership. Remember, a leader’s integrity often reflects on their entire team.

Intelligence: This isn’t all about IQ! Leaders need emotional intelligence too – understanding their team’s thoughts and feelings can make a huge impact.

Sociability: Leaders should effectively socialize and communicate. A friendly chat can go a long way.

“Trait Theory built on the idea that leaders share certain key characteristics — like confidence, integrity, determination, and sociability.

It suggests that while some traits may be natural, many can also be developed through experience and reflection.”

💬 Ask Learners

“Which of these traits do you think are born, and which can be learned?”

“Can you think of a manager or colleague who shows one of these traits clearly?”

situational leadership 

Behavioural Theory

This theory proposes that leadership is not a fixed trait but a set of learned behaviors. It suggests that anyone can become an effective leader with the right guidance and willingness to adapt. Behavioral Theory views leadership as a skill that can be developed and refined over time.

Unlike other theories that rely heavily on abstract concepts, the Behavioral Theory of Leadership is concrete and practical. It encourages leaders to analyze their actions and adjust their behavior to suit different circumstances and the needs of their team.

One of the key ideas behind this theory is that leadership effectiveness is not determined solely by who you are but by what you do. It’s about the actions you take, the decisions you make, and the way you interact with your team. In this sense, a theory democratizes leadership, suggesting that anyone can improve their leadership abilities through deliberate practice and self-awareness.

Behavioural Theory shifted the focus from who you are to what you do.

It argues that leadership is a set of behaviours that anyone can learn — like communicating clearly, motivating others, and adapting to different situations.”

💬 Ask Learners

“What good leadership behaviours have you seen in your workplace?”

“How could someone learn to show those behaviours?”

“Here we see the main difference — Trait Theory says leaders are effective because of their personal qualities, while Behavioural Theory says it’s their actions and choices that matter.

In reality, effective leaders often show a mix of both.”

💬 Ask Learners

“Which do you think explains leadership better — who you are, or what you do?”

“Can you think of an example where someone changed their behaviour and became a better leader?”

www.tiktok.com

“Leaders and managers both play vital roles — but they’re not the same.

A leader inspires and sets direction; a manager organises, plans, and ensures targets are met.

The best managers often need to lead too — especially when motivating teams through change.”

💬 Ask Learners

“How would you describe the difference in your own workplace?”

“Can someone be a good manager but a poor leader — or vice versa?”

“Leadership is about influence — guiding or inspiring others toward a shared goal.

It’s not just about authority or job title; it’s about motivating people, creating vision, and helping them perform at their best.”

What is the difference between a leader and a manager?

www.tiktok.com

Leadership Theory

Definition: A leadership theory is a conceptual framework explaining how and why certain individuals become leaders and influence others. It provides a foundation for understanding leadership behaviours and dynamics.

Purpose: To describe and predict leadership effectiveness based on specific factors (traits, behaviours, situations, etc.).

Examples:

Trait Theory: Leaders are born with specific traits that make them effective.

Behavioural Theory: Leadership is about actions and behaviours rather than inherent traits.

Situational Leadership Theory: Effective leadership depends on the context and the leader's ability to adapt.

“A leadership theory is a framework that explains how and why certain people become leaders.

Theories help us understand what makes leadership effective — for example, whether it’s about traits, behaviours, or adapting to situations.”

💬 Ask Learners

“Which theory do you think makes most sense so far — traits, behaviour, or situation?”

Leadership Models

Definition: A leadership model is a practical application or framework derived from leadership theories. It outlines specific components or processes that can be followed or implemented to guide leadership practices.

Purpose: To provide a structured approach for applying leadership principles in real-world settings.

Examples:

The Transformational Leadership Model: Focuses on inspiring and motivating followers to achieve beyond expectations.

The Blake-Mouton Managerial Grid: A model that plots leadership styles based on concern for people versus concern for production.

“Leadership models take the theories we’ve just looked at and turn them into practical frameworks we can follow.

They show how to apply leadership in real situations — for example, how to balance people’s needs with business goals.”

💬 Ask Learners

“Have you ever used a model or framework at work — like a checklist or grid — to guide how you lead or manage?”

Leadership Style

Definition: A leadership style is the specific way a leader behaves, interacts with their team, and makes decisions. It reflects the leader's personal preferences, values, and approach to leadership.

Purpose: To describe how a leader actually leads in practice.

Examples:

Autocratic Style: Leader makes decisions without consulting the team.

Democratic Style: Leader involves the team in decision-making.

Laissez-Faire Style: Leader provides minimal direction and lets the team operate independently.

A leadership style is the way a leader behaves — how they make decisions, communicate, and involve others.

Common styles include autocratic (leader decides), democratic (team involved), and laissez-faire (team leads themselves).

No one style is best — it depends on the situation, the task, and the people.”

💬 Ask Learners

“Which style do you see most in your workplace?”

“When might an autocratic or democratic style work best?”

Group Exercise

Room 1 - Autocratic Leadership

Room 2 - Democratic Leadership

Room 3 - Laissez-faire Leadership

Provide a description of the allocated leadership style.

What are the positive and negative effects on individual behaviour from the allocated leadership style?

What are the positive or negative effects on group behaviour from the allocated leadership style?

Record your findings in a table format and share them with the class.

Appoint a spokesperson to deliver your findings to the main group.

20 minutes

According to situational leadership theory, effective leaders vary their leadership styles. What factors, in your opinion, influence the choice of leadership style?

Factors Affecting Leadership Style

The Leader

The Team

The Environment

The Task

According to Situational Leadership Theory, there’s no single ‘right’ style — the best leaders adapt depending on the leader, the team, the task, and the environment.

These factors shape how much direction or support a leader should give.”

💬 Ask Learners

“How does the task you’re doing affect how much guidance you want?”

“What about the team — does experience or confidence change how you lead them?”

💼 Workplace Link

“For example, a new team might need clear instructions and close support, while an experienced team prefers more freedom and trust.”

Any Questions?