Formal vs. Informal Leading: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Executive Summary Though we recognize informal leadership and its role in small groups, little research has been done on informal leading in organizations. This exploratory national study set out to determine whether there is a difference between formal leaders, those in a position of leadership, and informal leaders, those not in a formal position of leadership but recognized as leaders nevertheless. Six areas of interest consisting of 161 variables were investigated using an instrument based on an earlier meta-ethnographic study of leadership (Pielstick, 1996, 1998). The six areas were: shared vision, communication, relationships, community, guidance, and character. All six areas showed significant differences between formal and informal leaders with informal leaders scoring higher in each area. Of the 161 variables, 87 (54%) showed a significant difference between formal and informal leaders. All but four of these showed higher scores for informal leaders.