exercise leadership

USAGE SUMMARY

'exercise leadership' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about taking charge of a situation or group of people to bring about a desired outcome. For example, "The manager was able to successfully exercise leadership and bring the team together to develop an effective plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

William Umbach, failed to "exercise leadership," officials said.

The New York Times

No department can exercise leadership if it cannot be trusted.

The New York Times

But the commission should exercise leadership promptly, he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Cuomo's resolve to exercise leadership could make the difference.

The New York Times

They need to develop their capacity to exercise leadership.

Harvard Business Review

"Men who are natural leaders, but marginalised by culture, can exercise leadership".

The Guardian

Therefore we should exercise leadership in order to change Europe in the direction we want".

The New York Times

Of course, the most critical need is for appropriate groups to exercise leadership.

The New York Times

France has begun to exercise leadership; the United States must not dither in doing its share.

The New York Times

When you're on a team of peers, you exercise leadership in a different capacity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Challenge assumptions about how to exercise leadership in the public sector.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "exercise leadership" with specific actions or outcomes to enhance clarity. For example, "exercise leadership" by implementing new strategies or "exercise leadership" to improve team performance.

Common error

Avoid overusing "exercise leadership" in excessively formal or stilted writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound bureaucratic. Consider using more dynamic and engaging alternatives like "demonstrate leadership" or "provide leadership" in certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise leadership" functions as a verbal phrase where "exercise" acts as a transitive verb taking "leadership" as its direct object. It indicates the active implementation or use of leadership abilities. Ludwig examples showcase its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercise leadership" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the active implementation of leadership skills. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and formal business settings. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential overuse in overly formal contexts, opting for dynamic alternatives like "demonstrate leadership" or "provide leadership" where appropriate. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, underscoring its widespread acceptance and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate leadership

Focuses on showing leadership qualities rather than actively using them.

provide leadership

Highlights the act of supplying guidance and direction.

exert influence

Emphasizes the impact and power used to guide others.

take charge

Implies assuming control and responsibility.

assume command

Suggests formally taking control, often in a structured environment.

guide the way

Focuses on leading and directing others towards a goal.

steer the course

Highlights the act of managing and directing a specific path or direction.

take the reins

Implies assuming control, often after a period of absence or transition.

direct operations

Focuses on managing and overseeing activities.

spearhead initiatives

Highlights the initiation and driving force behind projects.

FAQs

How can I use "exercise leadership" in a sentence?

"Exercise leadership" means to actively use one's leadership skills in a given situation. For example, "The manager needed to exercise leadership to resolve the conflict among team members."

What can I say instead of "exercise leadership"?

You can use alternatives like "demonstrate leadership", "provide leadership", or "take charge" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "exercise leadership" or "demonstrate leadership"?

Both phrases are correct, but "exercise leadership" implies active application of skills, while "demonstrate leadership" focuses on showcasing leadership qualities.

What does it mean to "exercise leadership from behind"?

The phrase "exercise leadership from behind" suggests providing guidance and direction without being overtly visible or controlling. It involves empowering others to take the lead while still offering support and strategic oversight.