There are several definitions of leadership available; however, it can be broadly defined as the process of inspiring, directing, co-ordinating, motivating, and mentoring individuals, groups of individuals, organizations, societies, and/or nations. While the origins of leadership can be traced back to ancient times in Africa, Asia, and Europe, it is only relatively recently that systematic attempts have been made to understand, operationalize, and conceptualize leadership. In sociology, Weber conceptualized leadership as legitimated by virtue of subordinates' understanding of bureaucratic authority, rules, and legitimacy. Weber identified three general typologies of leadership in bureaucracy: charismatic, traditional, and legal. Charismatic leaders were attributed powerful qualities by those who follow them; traditional leaders were powerful by virtue of hereditary wealth or peerage; legal leadership draws its power from professional knowledge and technical expertise, and formal authority was legitimized through roles or position in the bureaucratic hierarchy. As such, formal authority is legitimated by subordinates' understanding and respecting rules and authority. In contrast to Weber's approach, more recent sociological approaches to leadership have been more concerned with notions of power rather than leadership per se. As such, the study of leadership is less about the individual and more about how power structures allow domination and control over others.