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In the age of globalization, the dynamics of competition and success of any company depends

upon the leadership qualities. The leadership qualities and traits are central in outlining the

internal consistency and external performance of the company. In our time, the leadership

qualities from top CEO level to managerial level is key in determining the success of

company[ CITATION Man18 \l 1033 ]. As a matter of fact, the whole discourse of the leadership

qualities are closely associated with the management and efficiency of the company that is

central in determining the position of the company in the competitive environment. However,

there are hundreds of theories associated with the leadership in terms of qualities, behavior and

traits. Perhaps, the leadership theories are central to the understanding of leadership behavior,

characteristics and decision-making process. The concept of the leadership is ancient and has

been central to the political writings of various philosophers[ CITATION Mah11 \l 1033 ].

According to ancient Greek philosopher Plato, the ideal leadership can be defined based on the

premise that ‘the one who applies order and reason to govern’. Likewise, according to fifteenth

century political theorist and philosopher Nicolo Mechiavelli, a true leadership uses both

deception and threats to justify his rule and power. Hence, in the latter context, leadership can be

defined as the ability and aptitude to rule and influence a group of people, community or nation.
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In this regard, there are four major theories of the leadership, which clearly define the internal

and external traits of the leadership[ CITATION App03 \l 1033 ].

The first major theory of leadership is known as Trait theory, which is in fact central to every

leadership ranges from politics to corporate world. It is because, under the sphere of trait theory,

a leadership displays his motivation, trustworthiness, maturity, reasoned based decision making

processes. In this regard, the trait theory contends that the effective and resilient leadership

consist of some shared qualities and traits. Moreover, the modern trait theory defines the

dynamics of leadership across various skill and working areas such as management of tasks,

efficacy, efficient and effective decision-making areas, openness to experience and risk

management. In contrast, the trait theory clearly explains about the personality and working

dynamics of the leadership.

As an illustration, for centuries tracing the leadership qualities and traits has been central to the

discourse of leadership. Moreover, the trait theory assumes the qualities of leadership is

inherently associated with an individual’s nature and behavior. In this respect, the trait theory has

shown us that there is a close connection between the potentials of leadership and individual’s

personality traits such as self-consciousness, reasoning, intelligence, conscientiousness, patience

and passion, and emotional behavior. If we examine the course of the twentieth century, it was

leadership’s traits, which was studied by the psychologist to define the potential dynamics of the

leadership. According to this study, individuals have innate and inherent personality traits that

matures and develops over time especially with age.

According to modern research on the trait theory, there are five major physical categories, which

are central to leadership traits. Firstly, the first major category involves leadership’s physical
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appearance, which includes leader’s height, facial look and vigor. Secondly, the second major

category involves aptitude and working capability skills. Thirdly, the third major category

includes personality traits such as self-confidence, eagerness, passion and coordination.

Likewise, the fourth major category includes job oriented characteristics such as persevere,

consistency, success, achievement and multi-tasking. Lastly, the fifth major category involves

social characteristics such as inter-personal skills, teamwork’s, and organizational

skills[ CITATION Dio12 \l 1033 ].

On the contrary, the second major theory is known as behavioral theories, which stresses on the

leadership behavior instead of traits. According to behaviorists, the leadership behavior is also

key determinant of the leadership qualities. In this regard, the behavioral theory of leadership

asserts that it is the behavior of leader during decision-making process and organizational task,

which clearly defines the dynamics of the leadership. Moreover, the behavior of the leaders is

also central ruling and influence certain group and employees within organization or company.

As a matter of fact, the behavior of the leadership is also central in decision making process and

in defining the dynamics of governing organization.

In contrast, the behavior theory of the leadership mainly focuses on the behavior of managers

and upper level organizational hierarchy, which is key to maintain and motivate the employees

within the organization. According to various research findings, it is the behavior of top leaders

in the decision making process that determines the success of organizations and companies. In

this respect, various research findings have suggested the managerial level staff to adopt flexible

behavior during the decision-making process in order to maintain motivation and passion among

the working staff. As an illustration, the fact cannot be denied that the resurrection of behavioral
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theories in the 1960s and 1980s have debunked the myths of trait theories of leadership. Perhaps,

it has debunked the myths of traits theories by assessing the behavior of three types of leaders.

For instance, the autocratic leadership carry out decision-making without consulting the team.

Likewise, democratic leadership mostly relies on the opinions of the team or working group for

the decision-making. Similarly, the Laissez-faire leadership also differs in the decision making

process because they allow their teams and groups to make multiple decisions [ CITATION Yuk71 \l

1033 ].

The third Major theory of leadership is known as the contingency theory of leadership, which

stresses on the fact that the best leadership qualities of leader can be understood by examining

the decision-making style at different styles. In this respect, the contingency theories attempts to

predict the best style of leadership in different situations or circumstances. The most popular

contingency models include Path-Goal theory and Fiedler’s contingency model. It was famous

psychologist Robert House, who developed the path-goal theory by using four major types of

leadership. The first is known as supportive leadership, which stresses on the support of

leadership for individual teammates. The second is known as directive leadership, the directive

leadership plays an important role in directing unstructured projects and schemes. The third is

known as participative leadership, which focuses on the mutual participation in the decision

making process. Lastly, the fourth type of leadership is known as achievement-oriented

leadership, which defines the achievement-oriented passion of leaders and teamwork.

On the other hand, the Fiedler’s contingency Model focuses on the essentials of the style of

natural leadership. It was Fred Fiedler in the 1960s, who studied the dynamics of leadership from

the standpoint of leadership personality and leadership qualities. In this respect, the whole
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discourse of the contingency model was based on the effectiveness of the leader and the

situation. Hence, the two major features were the ‘Leadership grace’ and the ‘control over

situation’[ CITATION Aym95 \l 1033 ].

Lastly, the fourth major theory of leadership is known as ‘Power and Influence theories’ which

examines the leadership’s use of power and influence in accomplishing certain important tasks

and projects. Moreover, the whole discourse of the power and influence theory revolves around

the use of leader’s power and influence in achieving different goals and tasks. In this regard, the

most famous of power and influence theories includes French and Raven’s five forms of power.

Basically, it was French and Raven’s explanation about the five major forms of power, which

has anticipated the basis of power. The five forms of power is as follows.

The first form of power revolves around legitimacy, which stresses on the fact that the leadership

must be legitimate. He should have the official rights to make decisions and to make others

obedient. Likewise, the second form of power revolves around reward, the leader must ensure

rewards for the good work and achievement of employees. The third form of power is based on

expertise, which anticipates that the leader should be knowledgeable and skillful concerning his

work. Similarly, the fourth form of power is based on respect that opines that the leader should

respect his employees and should maintain high ethical standards. Lastly, the fourth form of

power is known as strength, which opines that the leader should have the strength to punish the

employees, who have loose performance in the work[ CITATION Mah11 \l 1033 ].

In a nut shell, all four major theories of the leadership is essential to understand the dynamics of

leadership. Moreover, each leadership theory defines the limitation and wideness of the

leadership discourse by involving multiple domains of leadership traits and qualities. In contrast,
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to understand the origin, relevance, and development of leadership discourse, each theory plays a

central role.

Works Cited
Appelbaum, Steven H. "Gender and leadership? A journey through the landscape of leadership
theories." Leadership and organizational development Journal 24.1 (2003): 43-51.

According to ancient Greek philosopher Plato, the ideal leadership can be defined based on the
premise that ‘the one who applies order and reason to govern’. Likewise, according to fifteenth
century political theorist and philosopher Nicolo Mechiavelli, a true leadership uses both
deception and threats to justify his rule and power. Hence, in the latter context, leadership can be
defined as the ability and aptitude to rule and influence a group of people, community or nation.
In this regard, there are four major theories of the leadership, which clearly define the internal
and external traits of the leadership

Ayman, Roya. "The Contingency Model of leadership effectiveness: Its levels of analysis." The
Leadership quarterly 6.2 (1995): 147-167.

Dion, Michael. "Are ethical theories relevant for ethical leadership?" Leadership and
Organization Development Journal 33.1 (2012): 4-24.

The first major theory of leadership is known as Trait theory, which is in fact central to every

leadership ranges from politics to corporate world. It is because, under the sphere of trait theory,

a leadership displays his motivation, trustworthiness, maturity, reasoned based decision making

processes. In this regard, the trait theory contends that the effective and resilient leadership

consist of some shared qualities and traits. Moreover, the modern trait theory defines the

dynamics of leadership across various skill and working areas such as management of tasks,

efficacy, efficient and effective decision-making areas, openness to experience and risk
 Last Name

management. In contrast, the trait theory clearly explains about the personality and working

dynamics of the leadership.

As an illustration, for centuries tracing the leadership qualities and traits has been central to the

discourse of leadership. Moreover, the trait theory assumes the qualities of leadership is

inherently associated with an individual’s nature and behavior. In this respect, the trait theory has

shown us that there is a close connection between the potentials of leadership and individual’s

personality traits such as self-consciousness, reasoning, intelligence, conscientiousness, patience

and passion, and emotional behavior. If we examine the course of the twentieth century, it was

leadership’s traits, which was studied by the psychologist to define the potential dynamics of the

leadership. According to this study, individuals have innate and inherent personality traits that

matures and develops over time especially with age.

According to modern research on the trait theory, there are five major physical categories, which
are central to leadership traits. Firstly, the first major category involves leadership’s physical
appearance, which includes leader’s height, facial look and vigor. Secondly, the second major
category involves aptitude and working capability skills. Thirdly, the third major category
includes personality traits such as self-confidence, eagerness, passion and coordination.
Likewise, the fourth major category includes job oriented characteristics such as persevere,
consistency, success, achievement and multi-tasking. Lastly, the fifth major category involves
social characteristics such as inter-personal skills, teamwork’s, and organizational skills

Mahajan, Supriya. "Study on leadership styles and theories." Indian Journal of Applied Research
4.3 (2011): 281-282.

Mango, Emmanuel. "Rethinking Leadership Theories." Open Journal of leadership 7.1 (2018):
57-88.

In this article, the author opines that in the age of globalization, the dynamics of competition and
success of any company depends upon the leadership qualities. The leadership qualities and traits
are central in outlining the internal consistency and external performance of the company. In our
time, the leadership qualities from top CEO level to managerial level is key in determining the
success of company
 Last Name

Yuki, Gary. "Towards a behavioral theory of Leadership." Organizational behavior and human
Performance 6.4 (1971): 414-440.

As a matter of fact, the whole discourse of the leadership qualities are closely associated with the
management and efficiency of the company that is central in determining the position of the
company in the competitive environment. However, there are hundreds of theories associated
with the leadership in terms of qualities, behavior and traits. Perhaps, the leadership theories are
central to the understanding of leadership behavior, characteristics and decision-making process.
The concept of the leadership is ancient and has been central to the political writings of various
philosophers