ARE LEADERS BORN OR MADE?

Born Made

BORN OR MADE?

Leadership Trait Theory

Behavioral Theory of Leadership

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 would be able to identify leaders and people with leadership potential.

The basic idea of leadership trait theory is that if an individual possesses certain traits, she or he will be a successful leader in any situation.

LEADERS ARE BORN: LEADERSHIP TRAIT THEORY

Leaders are:

HonestInspiringForward-lookingCompetentIntelligent

-The Leadership Chal lenge by Kouzes and

Posner, 1995

TOP 5 TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS

Most people recognize that it is possible for someone to change their character traits over time.

Does not take situation into account.  A person who is a leader in one situation may not be a leader in another.

Sets forth numerous characteristics that are very general, contextual, and unmeasurable.

PROBLEMS WITH THE LEADERSHIP TRAIT THEORY

Came from research out of Ohio State University in the 1940s

A leader’s behavior is the best predictor of his leadership influences, and as a result, is the best determinant of his or her leadership success.

Anyone can be made a leader by teaching them the most appropriate behavioral response for any given situation.

LEADERS ARE MADE:BEHAVIORAL THEORY OF

LEADERSHIP

Leaders engage in two types of behaviors: Initiating Structure and Consideration

BEHAVIORAL THEORY OF LEADERSHIP:

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS

Initiating Structure (Task)•Show a concern for getting the job done•Like to keep control•Task-oriented leaders are concerned with their staff motivation; however it's not their main concernConsideration (People)

• Show a concern for people• Motivate people by emphasizing the

relationships• Still focus on the task and the

results; they just achieve them through different means

Autocratic leaders  (High Task Orientation, Low People Orientation) Make decisions without consulting their teams Considered appropriate when decisions need to be made quickly,

when there's no need for input, and when team agreement isn't necessary for a successful outcome

Democratic leaders   (High Task Orientation, High People Orientation) Allow the team to provide input before making a decision (degree of

input can vary from leader to leader) Important when team agreement matters, but can be diffi cult to

manage when there are lots of different perspectives and ideas

Laissez-faire leaders  (Low Task Orientation, Low People Orientation) Don't interfere; they allow people within the team

to make many of the decisions Works well when the team is highly capable,

motivated, and doesn't need close supervision

BEHAVIORAL THEORY OF LEADERSHIP: THREE TYPES OF

LEADERS

In the next step of this session, you will take a

survey to determine your preferred

leadership style.

Certain leadership behaviors are appropriate at different times.

The best leaders are those who can use many different behavioral styles, and choose the right style for each situation.

PROBLEMS WITH THE BEHAVIORAL THEORY OF

LEADERSHIP