Knowing the Trait Theory of Leadership

Loading

Can traits predict your leadership success?

The characteristic theory of leadership concentrates on identifying distinct personality traits And characteristics that are linked across various situations to leadership. This line of study emerged as one of the first kinds of investigations into the nature of effective leadership and is tied into the “great man” theory of leadership first suggested by Thomas Carlyle from the mid-1800s.

Rationale

According to Carlyle, leaders shape history. This ability is Carlyle thought something that people are born with, rather than something that could be developed. The research was inspired by Carlyle’s ideas on leadership, which focused on traits.

Carlyle’s concept of leadership was based on the rationale that:

  • Certain traits create certain patterns of behaviour.
  • Patterns are consistent across different circumstances.
  • Individuals are”born” with leadership traits.

Even articles, publications, and today tout the characteristics Necessary to become a fantastic leader, suggesting that direction is somehow predestined in some (or is more likely) while improbable, if not impossible, others.

Since the publication of Carlyle’s thesis psychologists has examined argued the concept of leadership.

From the 1940s to the 1970s, psychologist Ralph Melvin Stogdill Suggested that leadership is caused by the interaction between the situation and the person and not the result of a predefined set of traits.

Shortly afterwards in the 1980s, James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner posited That credibility was a key indicator of leadership skills, characterized by traits that are such as being forward-looking, honest, inspiring, and capable.

See also  A Summary of Sports Psychology

Leadership Traits

While the list of leadership traits can vary by whoever is currently drawing Traits that separated managers and supervisors were outlined by a recent study from Spain, the record. According to the investigators, the traits most commonly associated with wonderful leadership include:

  • Intelligence and action-oriented judgment: Great leaders and intelligent and make decisions that move the team forward.
  • Eagerness to take responsibility: Strong leaders take on responsibility and do not pass the blame on to others. They take possession of the mistakes and stand by their success.
  • Task competence: A fantastic leader is capable and skilled. Members of the group can look to the leader for an example of how things should be done.
  • Recognizing their followers and their needs: Successful leaders listen to team members and genuinely care about helping them succeed. They want each individual in the group to succeed and play a part in moving the group.
  • People skills: Excellent interpersonal skills are crucial for leading effectively. Leaders know how to interact with team members in addition to other leaders.
  • A need for accomplishment: Strong leaders need to be successful and help the team achieve their targets. They are committed to helping the team reach these milestones and genuinely care.
  • Capability to inspire people: A good leader knows how to inspire others and inspire them to do their very best.
  • Courage and resolution: The top leaders are courageous and committed to the aims of the group. They don’t hide from challenges.
  • Perseverance: Strong leaders stay with it, even when things get tough or the team faces significant challenges.
  • Trustworthiness: Group members have to have the ability to rely upon and trust the individual leading them.
  • Decisiveness: A fantastic leader is capable of making a decision and is confident in their choices.
  • Self-confidence: Many of the top leaders are incredibly self-assured. Since they’re confident in themselves, followers start to share this self-belief.
  • Assertiveness: A good leader can be direct and assertive without coming off as too pushy or aggressive.
  • Adaptability and flexibility: Successful leaders do not get stuck in a rut. They can adapt to changing situations and to think beyond the box.
  • Emotional stability: Along with being dependable overall, powerful leaders can control their feelings and avoid overreactions.
  • Creativity: Maybe most of all, amazing leaders not only have their imagination, but they’re also able to boost creativity among members of the group.
See also  How the Process of Homeostasis Works

Controversy

Studies on leadership focused on the differences between Leaders and followers together with the premise that individuals in leadership positions would show leadership traits.

What researchers found, however, was that few could be used to differentiate between followers and leaders. By way of instance, leaders tend to be communicators. Leaders also tend to be higher in traits like extroversion, self-confidence, and elevation, but these differences tended to be small.

There are flaws in the trait-based theory. While proponents Suggest that traits are characteristic of leaders.

Some have suggested that this may because of situational variables In which leadership abilities only emerge when a chance for leadership arises (like in war, during a political crisis, or in the lack of leadership).

Others have taken a contingency approach in Which traits can be effective in some situations and less. Opinions vary on what those traits are and to what level.

Leadership in the Internet Age

More contentious is the contention that some folks do not possess the traits to become leaders. A belief overlooks economic and social inequities that limit an individual’s potential to lead.

Additionally, it overlooks the economy and how leadership is defined when relations are made both online and offline.

As sockets for leadership continue to change (like with social media and e-commerce), the traits necessary to succeed are different simply because there are fewer intermediaries. The ability to influence is more important than the ability to direct.

A Word From Supedium

While these traits are linked to leadership that is successful, it’s important to remember that leaders possess these traits all. Usually, a leader will have many of those qualities.

See also  The Great Man Theory of Leadership

But aspects of this situation play an important role in If people can lead 8, determining. It is the interaction between these characteristics and the situation that determines leadership calibre.

Share This
0Shares

0
  • Be the first to comment

Back to top of page

Register / Login

Message from SUPEDIUM®


Welcome to SUPEDIUM®, to ensure you have seamless experience when browsing our website, we encourage all users to register or login. It only takes less than 2 minutes to register an account :)

Register / Login with Email

Register / Login with Google

This will close in 30 seconds

Sign in

rotate_right

Send Message

image

My favorites

image