...“Leadership is the process of influencing others to understand and agree about what needs to be done and how to do it and the process of facilitating individual and collective efforts to accomplish shared objectives” (Robbin S, 2013). Trait theory suggests that leadership qualities create the separation between leaders and followers. It also specifies that the capability of a leader depends mostly on specific traits that may not be common to the followers (Laureate Education, 2010). “Leadership is the ability to articulate a vision and gain support for it” (Plachy, 2009). The core traits identified for successful leadership skills as highlighted in the Leadership Traits Questionnaire appear to take into cognizance so many characteristics associated with the theory. Trait Approach: emphasizes attributes like personality, motive, values, and skills. Leaders’ effectiveness is measured by the amount of influence a leader has on individual and group performances, follower satisfaction and overall effectiveness (Derue N, et al., 2011). My personal experience with the LTQ was that I became self-conscious at first with my response to each item. It could have been an interesting process if other people completed the assessment too, thus providing verifiable sources for comparison with my ratings. However I felt much better knowing that the instrument was meant to provide a synopsis of my strength and weaknesses. I have always seen myself having leadership qualities and that I possess...
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...Trait Approach to Studying Leadership Sheila Pounder LDR/531 May 30, 2012 John Healy Trait Approach to Studying Leadership The trait approach to studying leadership uses the assumption that some people are natural leaders with certain attributes that pertains to their personality, motives, values, and skills (Yuki, p. 13, 2010). The studies sort to identify what are the specific traits of leadership. Examples of some of the leadership traits the study found are high intelligence and action-oriented judgment, task competence, achievement-oriented, the ability to motivate people, courage, and resolution driven. This approach was one of the earliest processes used to identify what makes a great leader great. The studies conducted assumed that some people are born with leadership traits, and some are not. Those not possessing identifiable traits are designated as followers. A weakness of the trait approach is that “the previous research efforts failed to find any traits that would guarantee leadership success” (Yuki, 2010, p. 13). A person identified with the attributes of a leader is not guaranteed to be a successful leader. A second weakness of the approach is that it focuses solely on the leader and ignores the followers (Travis, 1999-2012). For a person to lead there must be someone to follow. If an identifiable trait is “the ability to motivate people,” there must be followers to motivate for there to be a leader. A third weakness is that the research also...
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...Trait Approach to Studying Leadership Angela Pierce LDR/531 – Organizational Leadership Trait Approach to Studying Leadership The trait approach was one of the earliest approaches that people have used for studying leadership. “Underlying this approach was the assumption that some people are natural leaders, endowed with certain traits not possessed by other people”(Yuki, p. 13, 2010). During this early period leadership theories suggested that managerial successes could be attributed to the natural extraordinary abilities that people possessed such as tireless energy, penetrating intuition, uncanny foresight, and irresistible persuasive powers. This process is what was used in identifying what/who makes a great leader. It was also assumed during this study that some people just were born with leadership traits, while others were not and for those who did not possess these identifiable traits were designated simply as followers. Trait Approach Weaknesses The weakness of this trait approach is that out of hundreds of trait studies conducted and despite this the massive research failed to find any traits that would guarantee leadership success (Yuki, p. 13, 2010). “One reason for the failure was a lack of attention to intervening variables in the causal chain that could explain how traits could affect a delayed outcome such as group performance or leader advancement. The predominant research method was to look for a significant correlation between individual leader...
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...Leadership Approach: Trait Theory There are many approaches to leadership within an organization. “Early leadership theories focused on what qualities distinguished leaders and followers, while subsequent theories looked at other variables such as situational factors and skill levels“(Cherry, 2013). This paper chooses to evaluate the trait approach to studying leadership. Through the course of this paper, the implications, strengths, and weaknesses of the theory will be explored. Implications of the Trait Theory As previously noted, the trait theory assumes “that people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership” (Cherry, 2013). The trait theory can be applied in multiple leadership positions within multiple types of organizations. Taking the information retained from this theory and its research, managers not only assess the current personnel within leadership positions but also can assess what traits can are currently successful in alternate leadership positions. The trait theory is not dependent on any particular type or organization or sect of leadership. “Scholars taking the trait approach attempted to identify physiological (appearance, height, and weight), demographic (age, education and socioeconomic background), personality (self confidence and aggressiveness), intellective (intelligence, decisiveness, judgment, and knowledge), task related (achievement drive, initiative...
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...There are several different approaches to studying leadership and with determining what makes a good leader. Throughout this paper, I will discuss the trait approach, the skills approach, and the style approach. I will also discuss how each approach relates to me personally based on the results of the questionnaires provided in “Leadership: Theory and Practice” by Peter Northouse. I will begin with the trait approach. According to Northouse, “the trait approach is concerned with which traits leaders exhibit and who has these traits” (p. 40). The trait approach also helps people to learn about themselves. It helps to clearly outline strengths and weaknesses which will enable the manager to learn how he/she can be a better leader (Northouse, p.40). I completed the Leadership Trait Questionnaire and I was surprised with the results. I have always prided myself on my communication abilities and my work ethic. I have also always felt that I am an outgoing person and easy to get along with. After having colleagues rate me based on the questionnaire and comparing my responses with them, there were some surprises to me. My colleagues did rate me highly in articulation, determination, trustworthy, friendly and dependable. I also rated myself highly in these categories as well. The surprises to me were with the traits of self-assured, outgoing, and self-confident. I rated myself higher than the average of my colleague’s ratings. I can use this information going forward to help enhance...
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...main approach applications in leadership of organization, including trait approach, situational & contingency approach and transformational approach. And this style of leadership is more inclined to believe that the qualities a person is born, not developed or the relationships develop followers. The concept is that humanity is born with certain personality traits, called “a born leader” (Fred, R). For example, like these well-known people, Catherine the Great, Mohandas Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc, Napoleon Bonaparte and Steve Jobs, the common ground is that they are born leaders, the people are willing to follow with them because of the charisma (Bass, 1990; Jago, 1982). Next, situational leadership was developed by Paul Hersey, a professor, and Ken Blanchard, a leadership expert in 1977, and this theory focuses on the action of the leader depends upon the situational and followers (Cynthia, M). Closely related to the situational approach is what has become know as the contingency approach. The contingency theory of leadership was presented by the Austrian psychologist Fred Edward in 1964. Compared to situational approach, the contingency approach while emphasizing the situation, but also emphasizes the leaders personality (Sirje, V, 2009). Last, in the past two decades, a new paradigm for understanding leadership has gained more academic attention called transformational leadership. This theory was developed by Bernard Bass (1997), and transformational leadership has...
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...I. Introduction Leadership has gained more attention of researchers from the whole world. Leadership is needed to corporations because it could bring extra assets to organizations and increase the line of bottom ultimately. There is a wide variety of theoretical approaches to analysis the complexities process of leadership. The essay will introduce three main leadership approaches: Trait approach, Situational & Contingency approach and Transformational approach. These approaches have their similarities and distinction. Compare and contrast these three research strands and critically discuss what they contribute to our understanding of leadership effectiveness. Discuss with example to indentify how I understand about these approaches by using real organization and how they work and help the organizations more efficiency. II. Three Leadership Approaches 1. The Trait Approach As one of the earliest theories of leadership, Trait approach suggests that certain individuals have special inborn characteristics or qualities which support people to be leaders, and that it is these qualities that differentiate them from non-leaders. (Northouse P.G 2013) Personal attributes or characteristics of leaders, such as physical and personality trait, competencies and values are the key ideas of trait approach. (Gardner. J.W 1989) Self-confidence, intelligence, ambition, perseverance, assertiveness, emotional stability, creativity, and motivation such a list of characteristics is...
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...This paper will compare and contrast trait and situational approach leadership theories, the development of the theories and how effective each are in organizations. This paper will compare each approach, some of their research history and the challenges they faced in the past and the challenges they may or may not face in the future. The trait approach is the oldest theory that have been researched by numerous researchers. The situational approach consist of two elements that focus on leadership style and the development of subordinates. The strengths and weakness of each approach will also be compared and constrast. Contrast and Comparison: An examination of Trait and Situational Leadership Approaches There are over 200 definitions for leadership that have used since the 1900’s. The ability to impress the will of the leader, acts by persons which influence other persons in a shared direction, and do as the leader wishes are a few definitions that were used during the 1900’s (Northouse, 2013). Today, leadership is defined as a process that involves individuals or groups to reach a common goal (Northouse, 2013,). It’s motivating and persuading people to obtain a desired result through communication and influence. Leadership is also defined as a process that happens between a leader and a follower (Northouse, 2013). During the 20th century, researchers belived that there were natural born leaders who were born with the “trait” to lead. They believed these individuals...
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...HEAD: LEADERSHIP APPROACH PAPER Leadership Approach Paper University of Phoenix LDR 531/ Organizational Leadership March 31, 2013 Leadership Approach Research on leadership has been occurring for centuries and has continued to evolve over the course of time. So much research is available that it is necessary to categorize it to emphasize potential relationships that tie them together. According to Yuki, "common practice is to limit the focus to one type of leader characteristic, namely traits, behavior, or power" (Yuki, 2010, p. 13). Focusing on the trait approach, a definition will be provided and an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of this approach will be discussed. Trait Approach Trait approach is defined as "personal attributes (or traits) of leaders, such as physical and personality characteristics, competencies, and values"(Fleenor, 2006, p. 830). The idea behind early research was that certain people had traits from birth that enabled them to be leaders. Researchers have created lists to describe the character traits of leaders;...
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...Business Management LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONS Name: Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan Student ID: 23045438 Word count: 3596 Module Leader UK : Janette Hurst Module Leader Singapore: Jasmine Puah Table of Contents Introduction 3 Trait Approach to Leadership Theory 3 Advantages of Trait Approach 4 Disadvantages of Trait Approach 4 Situational and Contingency Approach 6 Fiedler’s Contingency Theory: 7 Advantages of Fiedler’s Contingency Model 9 Disadvantages of Fiedler’s Contingency Model 9 Harsey-Blanchard Situational Leadership 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Model 12 Transformational Approach to Leadership 13 Advantages and Disadvantages of Transformational Approach to Leadership 15 Similarities of different approaches 15 Differences of Different Approaches 16 Conclusion 17 References 19 Appendix 22 Appendix 1: Zaccaro’s Model to Trait Approach 22 Appendix 2 : LPC Scale 22 Appendix 3: Fielder's Contingency model 23 Appendix 4: Harsey and Blanchard Situational Model 23 Appendix 5: Transformational Approach to Leadership 24 Introduction The purpose of this essay is to discuss different approaches to leadership. Different approaches to leadership have been described using different models along with charts and tables to provide a better understanding on each model. It also states the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and how the disadvantage of one approach gave emergence...
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...Leadership Approach Paper Sharon Boahn LDR/531 May 13, 2013 Drew Stevens Ph.D Leadership Approach Paper Leaders aid a group in achieving a common goal. Leaders have new ideas and goals they introduce to the group and motivates the group to work on the new ideas and achieve the goal. Leaders also inspire the group to perform at their best and assist them in their performance. Leaders have leadership skills and approaches that help them to be successful. The trait leadership approach is based on the theory that leaders are born with the leadership characteristics that enable them to be great leaders, instead of being developed or taught into the leadership role. There are strengths and weaknesses in the trait approach concerning leadership. Strengths There were several characteristics founded to be very strong in the trait leadership approach. “This approach emphasizes attributes of leaders such as personality, motives, values, and skills” (Yukl, 2010). The personality of a leader has a large role in his or her success. The personality of a leader can be very valuable when interacting with individuals, the personality of a leader can set the mode within the workplace. A leader with a positive personality will create an encouraging atmosphere where goal accomplishment and motivation will be successful. There are strong abilities identified in the trait approach of leadership, such as continuous force to get the job complete, sharp perception, and influential power. The...
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...they have leadership. Whether he or she is a leader or employee has leadership who can be a leader. Since leadership is a process and it include influence (Northouse 2012). Different approaches define different style of leadership. There is no any perfect leader in the world. The so-called gains will lose, every approach of leadership have their pro and con. Actually, every approach of leadership may have some same point in it. Observation carefully, you will know each leadership has their special thing and it influence themselves and their follower directly or indirectly. Definition of three theories Trait approach In the leadership research history, trait approach is the oldest approach and is a first leadership approach attempts to study. Until 1940, people believe leader’s ability is born, so they can be a leader, instead of train by acquired. Therefore, many researches focus on internal. Stogdill (1974) list 10 traits that leader should have. For the reason that you want to find a leader, it just to find the people whose trait can fit your job require. However, it hard to define trait and there must have more than 10 traits can act in concert with leader. In addition, it is hard to train or develop a people who do not have those trait that they to be a people who having those trait. Different people hold different traits and the traits will not be same. In the selection process, it is hard to find a good leader. Transformational leadership theory In...
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...Leadership Approach Paper The leader has the ability to attract and influence any group of people to follow their path to achieve organizational goals have power of authority, make people want to do it but it's really what we as leaders want them to do. In this paper we will discuss the situational leadership theory as an approach to the study of leadership and seeing the strengths and weaknesses of this approach, and an example how it works in the organization. According to Yuki, "common practice is to limit the focus to a leading feature type, ie traits, behavior or power" (Yuki, 2010). In the trait theory, will provide a definition and analyze an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of this approach. Trait Approach Trait approach is defined as "personal attributes (or features) of the leaders, as the characteristics, skills and physical values and personality" (Fleenor, 2006). The idea behind early research was that some people were born traits that allowed them to be leaders, researchers have created lists describe the character traits of leaders. Individuals and lists of character traits are compared to determine the success or failure of such person in a leadership role. Strengths Trait approach to leadership research has some clear advantages. This approach maintains the idea that the leaders of this world are in the open and head. Leaders, consistently been transmitted are different from the villages, and have characteristics that differentiate them from others...
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...Three Leadership Approaches Leadership approaches are behaviors are traits that leaders use. All leaders have something in common. What style of leadership is mostly effective depends on a particular situation. There are three kinds of leadership approaches. The trait approach is about identifying different personality traits and characteristics that are connected to successful leadership in so many different situations. This approach is based on belief that ability to lead was something that people were simply born with. Trait approach focuses on the personal attributes of leaders, such as physical, personal characteristics; competencies and values. This approach gives more credit to the qualities a person was born with rather than what they develop in a relationship with followers. This style is characteristic of ones who others see as “born leaders”. This theory believes that if you can identify people with right traits, you can identify leaders. Research was done, and it was found that traits can be learned as well. Traits are strongly associated with person’s perception of leadership. One doesn’t become a leader based on traits, but working relationship between leader and group members, and changing situations. Trait leadership approach works well for organizations with managers in leadership position that have specific traits. School is a good example of an organization in this position. Behavioral leadership approach focuses on the study of specific behavior of...
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...Leadership Theories: A Discussion Amanda M. Crorken University of Phoenix Leadership Theories: A Discussion Researchers have researched and created various approaches to leadership. The definitions of leadership create a universal truth that leaders must lead individuals toward a common goal. The paper below describes the trait, social exchange, substitute, and transformational approaches to leadership as well as a discussion of the similarities and differences of the theories. Leadership Theories Trait Approach to Leadership The trait theory of leadership originated with Thomas Carlyle's Great Man theory centralizing around the idea that individuals have innate traits that distinguish him or her as a leader. Since the Great Man theory, the trait theory of leadership has evolved into its current state described below. The proponents of the trait theory are individuals maintaining that a leadership role is innate. A comparison between trait theory and a college course can assist in understanding the basics of the theory. Courses generally have prerequisites in which students must obtain prior to enrolling; thus the traits instilled into a leader are the prerequisites of becoming a successful...
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