TRAIT THEORY OF LEADERSHIP

TRAIT THEORY OF LEADERSHIP

TRAIT:trait is an attribute, characteristic or feature that is unique to a person.

Trait theory of leadership states that people are born leaders ,leaders are born and not made. Certain traits are associated with leadership. Trait theory considers a person’s personality and associates some traits with proficient leadership. The theory assumes people with correct traits are to identified and have leadership potential.

The main assumptions of trait theory are :

a) People are born with inherent traits.                                                                                                                   b) Some traits are particularly suited for leadership.                                                                                                 c) People who make good leaders have right /sufficient combination of traits.

Among the core traits identified are:

• Admitting error: a leader should own up to mistakes rather than putting energy into covering up their mistakes
• Good interpersonal skills: leaders should be able to communicate to and persuade others with ought resorting to negative and coercive tactics.
• Achievement drive: they should have a high level of effort, high levels of ambition, energy and initiative
• Leadership motivation: he must have an intense desire to lead others to reach shared goals
• Honesty and integrity: he should be trustworthy, reliable, and open
• Self-confidence: one should believe in one’s self, ideas , and ability
• Cognitive ability: he should be capable of exercising good judgment, strong analytical abilities, and conceptually skilled
• Intellectual breadth and Knowledge of business: he should be understand a wide range of issues, Knowledge of industry and other technical matters
• Emotional stability and composure: well adjusted, does not suffer from severe psychological disorders, a person should be calm, confident, predictable particularly under stress.
• Others: charisma, creativity and flexibility.

ADVANTAGES OF TRAIT THEORY

A) It gives a detailed knowledge and understanding of the leader and elements in leadership.                                                                           b) Its the yardstick against which used to measure leadership traits of an individual.                                                                                              c) Lots of research has validated the foundation and basis of the theory this theory is therefore valid.                                                                         d) it’s a naturally pleasing theory.

DISADVANTAGE OF TRAIT THEORY

a) People change their traits with time.                                                    b) Cultural factors: what is effective in Kenya is not effective in India’s.        c) Relativity: it isn’t possible to clarify importance of various traits.             d) Interaction: most trait models or types disregard interaction effect.        e) Universalism: traits are not universal, they depend on situations.             f) There has been no agreement on what traits make a good leader.            g) The theory itself is complex

APPLICABILITY OF TRAIT THEORY.

Trait theory can be applied in different ways .a leader can be identified from a crowd or from a group using the above traits. Secondly those leaders who lack in certain areas can learn from the theory and adjust themselves accordingly an example a leader who keeps blaming others for his failures can adjust and learn to admit his own mistakes. The leaders can also learn how to apply their leadership at different levels of the organizations. Another application is that those who want to become leaders can learn the requird traits and if they have them they can go ahead and assume the leadership position.

References:

McCall, M.W and Lombardo, M.M(1983) Why and how successful executives get derailed.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/24636647/Trait-Theory-of-Leadership  accessed on 5/11/2010