Trait Approach Skills Approach

Leader The trait approach is solely The skills approach serves the leader-
leader-centered as it focuses on centered perspective as it underlines
the leader's qualities and skills and anilities the leader
characteristics. Where leadership themselves can develop.
begins, at the leader.
What are the implications of this theory (or approach) on the leader?
For example, how is it (or, is it not) leader-centered, and what does it tell us about the leader and/or the leader’s part in the
process of leadership?
Follower The trait approach is not follower Skills approach isn't a followers
based because it focusees on the theory but it does affect them when
leader. In the process, followers the skills their leader possesses
can only hope their leader has doesn't help followers achieve goals.
desirable traits. Followers are still able to learn skills
that will aid them in future leading.
What are the implications of this theory (or approach) on the follower?
For example, how is it (or, is it not) follower-centered, and what does it tell us about the follower and/or the follower’s part
in the process of leadership?
Context The context of the trait approach The context of the skills approach
is a dynamic relationship surrounds the leader and how their
between a leader and particular skills may impact their
themselves. What leadership followers and organization.
traits they posess, how to use Experience in said skills will influence
them accordingly and how to in solving formal work problems.
improve them.
What are the implications of this theory (or approach) on the context?
For example, how does the theory (or approach) characterize the situation surrounding the leader-follower relationship (i.e.,
formal or informal, social or work, dynamic or static, emergency or routine, complex or simple, task-oriented, relationship-
oriented, etc.).
Process The process of the trait approach follows the leader, as it The process of skills approach steers
focuses on them and how their personal characteristics towards the skills leaders are able to
affect their leading. Managers may want to build on learn and develop to be successful in
specific traits in order to properly guide followers to goals. pursuing, following through and
accomplishing goals. Career
experiences and enviromental
iinfluences may affect the learning
process.
What are the implications of this theory (or approach) on the process of leadership, i.e., the act of leadership?
For example, who is doing the leading and following, how is influence being exerted, is it one-way or reciprocal in
nature, how is goal attainment being guided, what (if any) are the exchanges taking place, how are relationships
characterized and/or what are they based on (e.g., high quality, respect, work)?
Outcomes The outcome of the trait The outcome of the skills approach is
approach is for improving to provide a wide range of skills that
individual performance. It may anyone may learn to help them lead.
also affect followers and It affects the goal and ultimately job
organizations performance if the as a leader with no skills may not be
leader displays traits that impact effective in problem solving or
the job negatively. performance.
What are the implications of this theory (or approach) on outcomes (or results)?
For example, what can be included as arising from the interplay between the leader, follower, and situation (context), i.e.,
trust, group cohesion, affection, job satisfaction, job performance, organizational performance, individual performance, etc.