Within this Website we look at leaders not managers; even so in many cases leadership theories are dealing with managerial performance and effectiveness. Many popular researchers and publications state that the terms manager and leader are interchangeable. For simplicity I assume here that leaders determine direction whereas managers execute it. I am fully aware that this is a gross simplification. However, the discussion about these definitions and distinctions would need to be discussed in a separate review.
The leadership theory discussed with regards to our assignment and in connection with MLK is the Servant Leadership theory that goes back to Robert Greenleaf who coined this phrase. In addition we will discuss the Situational Leadership Theory defined by Tannenbaum and Schmitt as well as Charismatic Leadership.