Social Learning Theory and Leadership

Social learning theory specifically acknowledges that most human behaviour is learned observationally through modelling. The focus of this approach has been teaching leadership across formal and informal settings. This and the behavioural focus is what distinguishes social learning theory from others as a leadership theory. However it will not become a leadership theory unless the behaviours to be imparted to future leaders are outlined. This has not been done in the social learning context. However, because of its growing importance as a theoretical foundation for the fields of psychology and organisational behaviour as a whole, a social learning approach to leadership would seem to have potential for the future.