Which theory according to you comes closest to explaining why good leadership is contagious, and why?

 

The theory that comes in my mind explaining good leadership is contagious is "Contagion Theory". (Theories of Collective Behavior)

French scholar Gustave Le Bon (1841-1931) formulated contagion theory as he researched the history of mobs and rioting of the French Revolution (1787-99). Contagion theory implies that crowds or group of people can create an impact on individuals, creating a mob or herd mentality and encouraging irrational behavior. Caught up in the experience of a crowd, people are more inclined to act in an emotional and irrational manner. Assumptions or Hypothesis that collective behavior is irrational and that crowds can exert a "contagious" influence remain popular.

The theory relates to the concept of 'good leadership is contagious' because one is generally effected by the people surrounded by their proximity. Their traits, behavior, attitude and manner of dealing problems have an impact on the individual. Plante states, "So, as a leader, one has to be mindful of the spread of behavior within organizations. When some organization members behave in problematic ways (e.g., stealing, tardiness, rudeness) that behavior can spread quickly to others. Yet good behaviors such as hard work, attention to detail, and friendliness, can spread quickly by observational methods too". (Plante,2013)