Trait Theory
of
Leadership
Objective
List the Important Theories of Leadership
Explain What is the ‘Trait Theory of Leadership’
Explain What is meant by ‘Leadership Style’
Explain the Significance of Michigan Studies in Trait Theory
Explain Cattell's 16 Personality Factors
Explain the OCEAN of Personality
List the Core Traits of Leadership
List the Advantages and Limitations of Trait Theory
Describe the Application of Trait Theory
List the Characteristics of Effective Leaders
Introduction
Look at the given
images of the following
people:
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Barack Obama
• Adolf Hitler
• Steve Jobs
What do you think is
common among all of
them?
Introduction
Each one of them Mahatma Gandhi,
Barack Obama, Adolf
Hitler and Steve Jobs, is
a natural born leader,
with characteristic
traits that made them
great leaders.
Introduction
Mahatma Gandhi was
a great people’s
leader who led and
influenced an entire
nation to follow the
path of non-violence
and gain their
country’s freedom.
Introduction
On the other hand,
there was Adolf Hitler
who led and
influenced an entire
nation to fulfil his
fanatic ambitions.
Introduction
Hitler too just like
Mahatma Gandhi did
not have any formal
leadership training. Yet,
he was able to
influence and lead from
the common man to
the highest ranked
military officers to obey
him.
Introduction
Steve Jobs was one of
the greatest
innovators of the
modern era and a
great leader as well.
It was under his
leadership and
guidance that Apple
grew to great heights.
Introduction
Barack Obama is
another such great
leader who led an
entire nation to stand
up to support him
and vote for change.
Introduction
Hence, you can
understand that
certain people are
born leaders.
Such born leaders
possess the inherent
traits of a great
leader.
Introduction
Such inherent traits
helps the born leaders
to inspire others to
take action, enjoy a
great following, make
many connections and
allies, and have great
and meaningful
interaction with others.
Introduction
Scholars found in
their studies that
successful leaders
definitely have
interests, abilities,
and personality traits
that are different
from those of the less
effective leaders.
Introduction
The ‘Trait Theory of
Leadership’ is based
on the characteristics
of many leaders, both
successful and
unsuccessful and is
used to predict
leadership
effectiveness.
What is the ‘Trait Theory of Leadership’?
•
The ‘Trait Theory of
Leadership’ is based on the
characteristics of many
leaders, both successful and
unsuccessful and is used to
predict leadership
effectiveness.
•
The resulting lists of traits
are then compared to those
of potential leaders to
assess their likelihood of
success or failure.
The Trait Theory
The following are the three key questions that guided Trait Theory research prior
to World War II:
Which are the
common traits
underlying all great
leaders?
Can we predict people’s
leadership potential on
the basis of these appropriate
traits?
Can people learn to
become effective
leaders?
Core Traits of Leadership
Among the core traits identified in the ‘Trait Theory of Leadership’ are:
Cognitive
Ability
Capable of exercising good judgment, strong
analytical abilities, and conceptually skilled
Emotional
Maturity
Well adjusted and does not suffer from severe
psychological disorders
Knowledge of
Business
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Knowledge of industry and other
technical matters
Others
Charisma, creativity
and flexibility
Implications of Trait Theory
•
The ‘Trait Theory of Leadership’ gives constructive
information about leadership.
•
It can be applied by people at all levels in all types of
organizations.
•
Managers can utilize the information from the theory
to evaluate their position in the organization and to
assess how their position can be made stronger in the
organization.
•
They can get an in-depth understanding of their
identity and the way they will affect others in the
organization.
•
This theory makes the manager aware of his strengths
and weaknesses and thus he can get an understanding
of how he can develop his leadership qualities.
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