Little Malcolm O'Dea shows the way (4)
I believe the answer is:
mode
'way' is the definition.
(I know that way can be written as mode)
'little malcolm o'dea shows' is the wordplay.
'shows' indicates a hidden word.
'MODE' can be found hidden inside 'little malcolm odea'.
'the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for mode that I've seen before include "Way of doing something" , "Way, method" , "Style, method" , "Way of operation" , "'Fashion, style (4)'" .)