Leadership and psychology

It is sometimes said that leadership is one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth and, I would add, too often conceived as an individual rather than a socially constructed idea. During my time in politics, I became convinced that if our political institutions are to approach optimal condition, then good political leadership is essential. What constitutes such leadership is, of course, the subject of continuing debate and I would be the first to acknowledge that quality leadership is notoriously difficult to deliver.