TRAIT THEORY OF LIDERSHIP
The trait theory of leadership is the view that people are born with inherited traits - and that some traits are particularly suited to leadership.
Early research on leadership - which was a development of the Great man theory of leadership - was based on the psychological focus of the day, which was of people having inherited characteristics or traits.
The Trait theorist identified a long list or qualities that leader’s process. The following list is only illustrative and not exhaustive.
Intelligence: Good leaders should be intelligent enough to understand the context and content of their position and function, to grasp the dynamics of environmental variables, both internal and external, which affect their activities and to have a good perspective of the present and future dimensions of their organization.
Personality: This aspect should be considered with respect to qualities such as, emotional stability and maturity, self-confidence, decisiveness, strong drive, optimism, extrovertness, achievement, orientation, purposefulness, discipline, skill in getting along with others, integrity in character and tendency to be cooperative.
Other Qualities: These include qualities such as open mind, scientific approach, social sensitivity, communication skill etc.
Assumptions
1.People are born with inherited traits.
2.Some traits are particularly suited to leadership.
3.People who make good leaders have the right (or sufficient) combination of traits.
Description
Early research on leadership was based on the psychological focus of the day, which was of people having inherited characteristics or traits. Attention was thus put on discovering these traits, often by studying successful leaders, but with the underlying assumption that if other people could also be found with these traits, then they, too, could also become great leaders.
Stogdill (1974) identified the following traits and skills as critical to leaders.
Traits
Adaptable to situations
Alert to social environment
Ambitious
Assertive
Cooperative
Decisive
Dependable
Dominant (desire to influence others)
Energetic (high activity level)
Persistent
Self-confident
Tolerant of stress
Willing to assume responsibility
Skills
Clever (intelligent)
Conceptually skilled
Creative
Diplomatic and tactful
Fluent in speaking
Knowledgeable about group task
Organised (administrative ability)
Persuasive
Socially skilled
Four primary traits by which leaders could succeed or fail were identified by McCall and Lombardo [1983]:
Emotional stability - centred, confident, predictable - especially under stress
Admitting mistakes - rather than wasting energy evading discovery
Good interpersonal skills - ability to persuade others
Intellectual ability - to understand the wider holist
Strengths/Advantages of Trait Theory
It is naturally pleasing theory.
It is valid as lot of research has validated the foundation and basis of the theory.
It serves as a yardstick against which the leadership traits of an individual can be assessed.
It gives a detailed knowledge and understanding of the leader element in the leadership process.
Limitations
The Trait theory is described as out-dated by many modern theories. The principle point of limitations is as under.
It is based on research and systematic development of concept and principles.
It is not possible to isolate a specific set of Traits which can be consistently applied to leadership across a range of situations.
This theory does not try to relate particular traits to performance, behavior and effectiveness of leaders
Individual’s traits do not make up his total personality.
The theory does not take into consideration the group of followers.
There is no systematic way of defining and measuring the incidence and intensity of traits among persons purported to be leaders.
The trait theory of leadership is the view that people are born with inherited traits - and that some traits are particularly suited to leadership.
Early research on leadership - which was a development of the Great man theory of leadership - was based on the psychological focus of the day, which was of people having inherited characteristics or traits.
The Trait theorist identified a long list or qualities that leader’s process. The following list is only illustrative and not exhaustive.
Intelligence: Good leaders should be intelligent enough to understand the context and content of their position and function, to grasp the dynamics of environmental variables, both internal and external, which affect their activities and to have a good perspective of the present and future dimensions of their organization.
Personality: This aspect should be considered with respect to qualities such as, emotional stability and maturity, self-confidence, decisiveness, strong drive, optimism, extrovertness, achievement, orientation, purposefulness, discipline, skill in getting along with others, integrity in character and tendency to be cooperative.
Other Qualities: These include qualities such as open mind, scientific approach, social sensitivity, communication skill etc.
Assumptions
1.People are born with inherited traits.
2.Some traits are particularly suited to leadership.
3.People who make good leaders have the right (or sufficient) combination of traits.
Description
Early research on leadership was based on the psychological focus of the day, which was of people having inherited characteristics or traits. Attention was thus put on discovering these traits, often by studying successful leaders, but with the underlying assumption that if other people could also be found with these traits, then they, too, could also become great leaders.
Stogdill (1974) identified the following traits and skills as critical to leaders.
Traits
Adaptable to situations
Alert to social environment
Ambitious
Assertive
Cooperative
Decisive
Dependable
Dominant (desire to influence others)
Energetic (high activity level)
Persistent
Self-confident
Tolerant of stress
Willing to assume responsibility
Skills
Clever (intelligent)
Conceptually skilled
Creative
Diplomatic and tactful
Fluent in speaking
Knowledgeable about group task
Organised (administrative ability)
Persuasive
Socially skilled
Four primary traits by which leaders could succeed or fail were identified by McCall and Lombardo [1983]:
Emotional stability - centred, confident, predictable - especially under stress
Admitting mistakes - rather than wasting energy evading discovery
Good interpersonal skills - ability to persuade others
Intellectual ability - to understand the wider holist
Strengths/Advantages of Trait Theory
It is naturally pleasing theory.
It is valid as lot of research has validated the foundation and basis of the theory.
It serves as a yardstick against which the leadership traits of an individual can be assessed.
It gives a detailed knowledge and understanding of the leader element in the leadership process.
Limitations
The Trait theory is described as out-dated by many modern theories. The principle point of limitations is as under.
It is based on research and systematic development of concept and principles.
It is not possible to isolate a specific set of Traits which can be consistently applied to leadership across a range of situations.
This theory does not try to relate particular traits to performance, behavior and effectiveness of leaders
Individual’s traits do not make up his total personality.
The theory does not take into consideration the group of followers.
There is no systematic way of defining and measuring the incidence and intensity of traits among persons purported to be leaders.