Overview
This lecture covers trait leadership theory, its history, key traits associated with effective leaders, and the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Introduction to Trait Leadership Theory
- Trait leadership theory, also known as the Great Man Theory, focuses on the inherent characteristics of leaders.
- Traits are relatively unchanging, inherent qualities or attributes that define an individual’s personality.
- Early researchers tried to identify traits that distinguished leaders from non-leaders.
Evolution of Trait Theory
- Stogdill (1948) challenged the idea that specific traits alone make someone a leader, emphasizing situational factors.
- By 1974, Stogdill revisited traits, suggesting effective leadership is a combination of traits and the right situation.
- Research shifted from traits to situational and behavioral theories between 1948 and 1974, then re-integrated trait perspectives.
Key Leadership Traits Identified
- Stogdill identified 10 leadership traits like drive, risk-taking, self-confidence, stress tolerance, and ability to influence.
- Northouse (2021) distilled the main leadership traits to: intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability.
- Of these, sociability (good social skills/positivity) is most strongly linked to leadership effectiveness.
Sociability & Leadership
- Sociability involves positively interacting with others, making people feel valued, safe, and optimistic.
- Effective leaders "move slowly among the people," engaging personally rather than relying only on public speaking.
- Sociability aligns with traits like extraversion and positivity found in other frameworks (e.g., Gallup StrengthsFinder).
Emotional Intelligence (EI) in Leadership
- EI is the ability to perceive, express, use, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others.
- EI supports sociability and is highly related to effective leadership.
Applications of Trait Theory
- Organizations can match roles to candidates possessing the required traits for success (e.g., administration needs detail-oriented traits).
- Personal awareness of one’s own traits helps leaders find situations where they are most effective.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Trait Theory
- Strengths include intuitive appeal, biblical support, extensive research, and predictability in leader selection.
- Weakness: appearances can be deceiving—someone may look like a leader but lack substance; outward traits are less important than inward character.
Additional Trait Perspectives
- Kilpatrick and Locke (1991) listed key leadership traits: drive, motivation, integrity, confidence, cognitive ability, and task knowledge.
- Leaders are distinguishable from others by a unique combination of traits, but not all traits equally predict leadership success.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Trait — An inherent, relatively stable quality or attribute of a person.
- Sociability — The ability to interact positively and effectively with others.
- Emotional Intelligence (EI) — The ability to perceive, use, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and relationships.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on your own leadership traits and areas for development, especially sociability and emotional intelligence.
- Prepare for the next session focusing on whether leadership traits can be learned or are only inherent.