Leadership Theories in Organisations - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... There are various theories that explain how entities are led to achieve company’s objectives. Trait approach theory, skills approach theory, transformational leadership theory, situational approach theory, style approach theory, contingency approach theory, path-goal theory and psychodynamic theory are leadership theories to be analyzed. The area of focus is leadership in the construction industry. Sir Michael Latham, Sir John Egan and Ray O’Rouke (Build 2008) have been identified as leaders in the construction industry. According to Chartered Institute of Building (2008), UK’s construction industry does not have highly influential leaders. Trait leadership approach suggests that personal characteristics dictate success and effectiveness of a leader. According to Daft (2007 p. 38), intelligence, honesty and patience are some of the personal characteristics that must be possessed by all leaders. Creativity, self confidence, higher levels of energy, height, self appearance, knowledge, speech fluency, popularity, sociability, persistence, hard work and desire to excel are some of the key traits that define leaders (West and West 2006 p. 98; McNeal 2010; Griffin P. 473). In addition, simple acts of kindness can make one a strong and reliable leader (Maxwell & Littleton 2001).Trait approach theory presumes that leaders are born and not made. This theory approach does not seem consistent with the construction sector in the UK. This is because the sector lacks highly influential leaders yet it presumes that leaders are born and not made. Does it mean that of all the employees in the construction sector, there is no single natural leader? It is not possible in the whole industry not to have a single person with all or most of the personal attributes that makes one a natural leader. Most leaders and managers in the construction industry were above forty three years of age. If leaders were born, then the industry could have ...Download file to see next pagesRead More