Function and leadership

One approach to leadership identifies the fact that leaders play many roles within an organization. Hence what the leader does may well depend on the functions that the leader is performing at the time.
Krech et al (1962) identified fourteen functions that the leader may take:

Leader's function and Actions


Executive

Coordinating group activities and overseeing the setting of policies and goals.

Planner

Deciding how the group will achieve its goals.


Policy maker

Establishing policies and goals.


Expert

A source of expert information.
External group representative
Speaking for the group with others.
Controller of internal relationships
Determining the social structure of the group.
Purveyor of rewards and punishment
Controlling members by punishing and rewarding.
Arbitrator and mediator
Resolving disputes in the group.

Exemplar
Behaving in a way that others should behave.
Symbol of the group
Acting as symbolic embodiment of the group, its goals and its values.
Substitute for individual responsibility
Relieving individuals of the need and responsibility of personal decisions.

Ideologist
Being the source of beliefs and values.

Father figure
Focus for positive emotional feelings of individuals and the object for identification and transference.

Scapegoat
Acting as a target for aggression and hostility. Taking the blame on behalf of the group.