# leadership

/ˈɫidɝˌʃɪp/ (US) · /lˈiːdəʃˌɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/leadership
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. ability to lead

noun · CEFR B2

the skill or quality of being able to guide and inspire other people.

For teachers: the abstract capacity or quality of an individual to guide, influence, or inspire others within a group or organisation.

- The team succeeded because of her strong leadership during the crisis.
- Effective leadership requires a delicate balance between decisive action and the ability to listen to the concerns of subordinates.

### 2. a group of leaders

noun · CEFR B2

the group of people who are in charge of a company, party, or country.

For teachers: a collective noun referring to the body of individuals who hold the highest positions of authority in an organisation.

- The party leadership met today to discuss the new policy changes.
- The corporate leadership faced intense scrutiny from shareholders after the quarterly earnings fell significantly below market expectations.

### 3. position or period of being a leader

noun · CEFR B2

the position of being a leader, or the time when someone is in charge.

For teachers: the formal office, status, or tenure of a leader.

- Under his leadership, the school became one of the best in the city.
- The country experienced significant economic growth during her ten-year leadership, largely due to her focus on international trade agreements.

## Examples

- Her strong leadership helped the team win the championship.
- The company's new leadership decided to focus on sustainable energy and remote work policies.
- Effective leadership requires a delicate balance between decisive action and the ability to listen to the concerns of every stakeholder within the organization.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.