Definition of Leadership
| Module: One Written Assignment | Northouse Chapters 1 & 2 | MSOL 5000 | Michael C. Ganaway | 2/8/2013 |
Describe, examine, compare, contrast, explain, analyze, evaluate, and illustrate the trait definition of leadership versus the process of leadership.
Leadership is a fascinating topic. As Stogdill states, “there are almost as many different definitions of leadership as there are people who have tried to define it” (Stogdill 1974, p.7). In the 1930’s the trait definition of leadership became the main approach. The great man theory was introduced due to the studies of the great people in history and their special characteristics that made them great leaders. This study looked at people such as Abraham Lincoln, Catherine the Great, Mohandas Gandhi, and Joan of Arc.
We have all been exposed to the saying that a certain individual is a “natural born leader”; this statement is representative of what the definition of trait based leadership is. The trait perspective is defined as certain individuals have special innate or inborn characteristics or qualities that make them leaders, and that it is these qualities that differentiate them from non-leaders (Northouse, 2013, p.7). The major 5 traits for leadership are intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability.
In his research of the traits theory of leadership John P. Howell, in his book, Snapshots of Great Leadership, determination and drive include traits such as initiative, energy, assertiveness, perseverance, masculinity, and sometimes dominance. People with these traits often tend to wholeheartedly pursue their goals, work long hours, are ambitious, and often are very competitive with others. Cognitive capacity includes intelligence, analytical and verbal ability, behavioral flexibility, and good judgment. Individuals with these traits are able to formulate solutions to difficult problems, work well under stress or deadlines, adapt to changing situations, and
Describe, examine, compare, contrast, explain, analyze, evaluate, and illustrate the trait definition of leadership versus the process of leadership.
Leadership is a fascinating topic. As Stogdill states, “there are almost as many different definitions of leadership as there are people who have tried to define it” (Stogdill 1974, p.7). In the 1930’s the trait definition of leadership became the main approach. The great man theory was introduced due to the studies of the great people in history and their special characteristics that made them great leaders. This study looked at people such as Abraham Lincoln, Catherine the Great, Mohandas Gandhi, and Joan of Arc.
We have all been exposed to the saying that a certain individual is a “natural born leader”; this statement is representative of what the definition of trait based leadership is. The trait perspective is defined as certain individuals have special innate or inborn characteristics or qualities that make them leaders, and that it is these qualities that differentiate them from non-leaders (Northouse, 2013, p.7). The major 5 traits for leadership are intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability.
In his research of the traits theory of leadership John P. Howell, in his book, Snapshots of Great Leadership, determination and drive include traits such as initiative, energy, assertiveness, perseverance, masculinity, and sometimes dominance. People with these traits often tend to wholeheartedly pursue their goals, work long hours, are ambitious, and often are very competitive with others. Cognitive capacity includes intelligence, analytical and verbal ability, behavioral flexibility, and good judgment. Individuals with these traits are able to formulate solutions to difficult problems, work well under stress or deadlines, adapt to changing situations, and
References: Fayol, H. (1916). General and industrial management. London: Pitman. Howell, Jon P. (2012). Snapshots of Great Leadership. London, GBR: Taylor and Francis. pp. 4–6 Johnston, K Lichtenstein, B, Uhl-Bien, M, Marion, R, Seers, A, Orton, J & Schreiber, C, 2006, ‘Complexity Leadership theory: An interactive perspective on leading in complex adaptive systems’ Northouse, P.G., (2013), Leadership: Theory and Practice. 6th ed. Stogdill, R. M. (1948). Personal factors associated with leadership: A survey of the literature Stogdill, R. M. (1974). Handbook of leadership: A survey of theory and research. New York: Free Press. Zaccaro, S. J., Kemp, C., & Bader, P. (2004). Leader traits and attributes. In J Zaccaro, S. J. (2007). Trait-based perspectives of leadership. American Psychologist, 62, 6-16