In terms of classifying leadership theories, what is meant by the "levels of conceptualization?"

Student answers may vary. Another way to classify leadership theories is in terms of the "level of conceptualization" used to describe a leader's influence on others. Leadership can be described as (1) an intra-individual process for leaders, (2) a dyadic process involving leader interaction with one subordinate, (3) a group process, or (4) an organizational process. The levels can be viewed as a hierarchy, starting with individual, then dyadic, then group, and finally organization. What level is emphasized will depend on the primary research question, the type of criterion variables used to evaluate leadership effectiveness, and the type of mediating processes used to explain leadership influence.