Qualities Of Leadership

Leadership theory:

Leadership trait theory is the idea that people are born with certain character traits or qualities. Since certain traits are associated with proficient  leadership, it assumes that if you could identify people with the correct traits, you will be able to identify leaders and people with leadership potential. Most of time the traits are considered to be naturally part of a person's personality from birth.From this standpoint, leadership trait theory tends to assume that people are born as leaders or not as leaders. There is a lot of value in identifying the character traits associated with leadership. It is even more valuable to identify the character traits that followers look for in a leader. These traits would be the characteristics of an individual who is most likely to attract followers. However, the idea that leadership traits are inborn and unchangeable appears to be incorrect. It is true that many of our dispositions and tendencies are influenced by our personalities and the way we are born. However, most people recognize that it is possible for someone to change their character traits for the worse.Someone who is known for being honest can learn to be deceitful. The whole idea of saying that someone was '' corrupted'' is based on the fact that people can learn bad character traits. If people can learn bad character traits and become different than the way they are naturally through conditioning, it logically follows that they can learn good character traits as well. A person who is prone to being dishonest can learn to be honest. A person who avoid risks can learn to take risks. It may not be easy, but it can be done.

 The Top Five Traits are:

• Honest 
• Inspiring
• Forward- Looking 
• Competent 
• Intelligent 

 These are all traits that someone can learn to implement. It may not be easy, but with practice you can become more inspiring, with practice you can become more honest, with practice you can become more competent. What makes this less difficult than it first seems, is that these are character traits that followers are looking for in a leader. By simple displaying these character traits more consistently an individual is able to change how they are perceived. Sometimes it is not a problem with changing your internal characteristics it is just an issue of displaying those characteristics more openly. By focusing on your own character and developing traits associated with leadership, you can increase your ability to lead. Interest in leadership increased during the early part of the twentieth century. Early leadership theories focused on what qualities distinguished theories focused on what qualities distinguished between leaders and followers, while subsequent theories looked at other variables such as situational factors and skill levels.while many different leadership theories have emerged, most can be classified as one of eight major types:

•  1.Great Man ''Theories:

Great man theories assume that the capacity for leadership is inherent- that great leaders are born, not made. These theories often portray great leaders as heroic, mythic and destined to rise to leadership when needed. The term ''Great Man'' was used because, at the time, leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership. Learn more about the great man theory of  leadership.

• 2. Trait Theories:

Similar in some ways to ''Great Man'' theories, trait theories assume that people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership. Trait theories often identify particular personality or behavioral characteristics shared by leaders. If particular traits are key features of leadership, then how do we explain people who possess those qualities but are not leaders? This question is one of the difficulties in using trait theories to explain leadership.

• 3.Contingency Theories:

Contingency theories of leadership focus on particular variables related to the environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is best suited for the situation. According to this theory, on leadership style is best in all situations. Success depends upon a number of variables, including the leadership style, qualities of the followers and aspects of the situation.

• 4. Situational Theories:

Situational theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variables. Different styles of leadership may be more appropriate for certain types of decision-making. 

• 5. Behavioral Theories:

Behavioral theories of leadership are based upon the belief that great leaders are made, not born. Rooted in behaviorism, this leadership theory focuses on the actions of leaders not on mental qualities or internal states. According to this theory, people can learn to become leaders through teaching and observation.

• 6. Participative Theories:

Participative leadership theories suggest that the ideal leadership style is one that  takes the input of others into account. These leaders encourage participation and contributions from group members and help group members feel more relevant and committed to the decision-making process. In participative theories, however, the leader retains the right to allow the input of others.

• 7. Management Theories:

 Management theories, also known as transactional theories, focus on the role of supervision, organization and group performance. These theories base leadership on a system of rewards and punishments. Managerial theories are often used in business, when employees are successful, they are rewarded: when they fail they are reprimanded or punished. Learn more about theories of transactional leadership.

• Relationship Theories:

Relationship theories also known as transformational theories, focus upon the connections formed between leaders and followers. Transformational leaders motivate and inspire people by helping group members see the importance and higher good of the task. These leaders are focused on the performance of group members, but also want each person to fulfill his or her potential. Leaders with this style often have high ethical and moral.