Trait Theory of Leadership - Essay Example

Leadership styles encompass a combination of various aspects that leaders use in their interaction with employees including traits, skills, and behaviors. Therefore, understanding a leadership approach requires an understanding of the origin. Traits' approach to leadership was the first ever-conceived idea of leadership. The theory has its foundations in believing that leaders are born, and thus have the innate abilities to lead. The theory borrowed from ancient leadership allowed members of the royal family to lead one after another.

Stogdill and Mann did the earliest survey on this leadership in 1948 and 1959 respectively and devised personality characteristics that differentiated leaders from followers (Doyle & Smith, 2012). A later study done by Wright proved that there are no notable differences between leaders and followers. He even proved that people with leadership traits will most times not become leaders (Yukl, 2009). However, some of the traits common in almost all leaders include task competence, physical vitality and stamina, intelligence and action-oriented judgment, people skills, and confidence. In addition, leaders are decisive, trustworthy, flexible, and able to motivate their followers.

The trait theory of leadership has some characteristic strengths. One is that the theory depicts the existence of innate abilities whereby individuals can re-examine their lives for leadership traits. In addition, they will go far in believing in themselves as part of the leading family. Secondly, the theory depicts certain traits common in most successful leaders. This acts as a standard for practicing leaders to evaluate themselves. However, trait theory has various weaknesses that render it not of much use. First, not all inherited leaders were capable of offering good leadership. Many depended on some charisma in them but not real skills.

In addition, some of the traits are quite abstract and often mistaken for different behavior traits. Secondly, although dozens of leadership traits have been identified, it is relatively difficult for a leader to have all of them. Some successful leaders have few or none of the traits. Third, the trait approach to leadership does imply stable qualities, ignoring ways of developing and using them in leadership. The trait approach discriminates against gender because of significant patterns that emerge when men and women are asked to list leadership traits. Some men feel that women are less of leaders, which brings about the question if some traits can be gendered (Doyle & Smith, 2012). In conclusion, the trait approach formed the foundation for leadership by describing special traits leaders need to cultivate.