LEADERSHIP TRAITS & 4 Qs

Definition of Leadership

• A leader may be defined as a person who establishes vision, sets

goals motivates people and obtains their commitment to achieve
the goals and realise the vision.

• There is no doubt leadership involves influencing people to work

towards desired goals. How does one achieve the goals either
through coercion or caring there are disagreements over this
 Traits of Effective Leaders

• Some studies believe that cognitive and

psychological factors like intelligence,
ambition and aggressiveness are commonly
found in leaders. Where as others believe that
physical characteristics like more than
average height, large body structure and
personal attractiveness are important traits
 Traits of Effective Leaders

• Some other studies believe that certain factors that

differentiate leaders from non-leaders which include
desire to lead, integrity, self –confidence, analytical
ability and knowledge of specific company, industry or
technology. If these factors are supplemented with traits
such as charisma, creativity and flexibility is likely to be
effective leader.
 Traits of Effective Leaders

• The above is not exhaustive list of the characteristics displayed

by effective leaders Just presence of these characteristics in an

individual will not make an effective leader. Even one posses

such traits may not get an opportunity to use them or when

given an opportunity , he/she choose not to use them

 Traits of Effective Leaders

• But effective leaders invest their time in building and

maintaining relationship

• They help people to achieve their personal goals,

• They ignore negative aspects provided, if it is less than
positive aspects,
 Traits of Effective Leaders

• They encourage hidden talents and capabilities

• They strive maintain enthu in all their relationships

• They end relationship if someone is not willing to cooperate

• They do not look for immediate results from relationship.

• They modify their behaviour in accordance with individual needs, goals and wishes.
 Traits of Effective Leaders

To conclude the successful leadership depends on

appropriate behaviour but less on personality traits. Since behaviour

can be learned or changed hence leaders are not born and they have

to be developed.
 Leadership 4Qs

High performing leaders simultaneously employ four key

leadership intelligences referred to as 4Qs to achieve effective transformational change

•Cognitive Intelligence (IQ)

•Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
•Political intelligence (PQ)

•Moral Intelligence (MQ)

 Leadership 4Qs

• Cognitive Intelligence (IQ) refers to leader’s ability to learn new things, recall
information think rationally and apply knowledge to solve the problems. For
example as a leader one has to apply why there has been a sudden decline the
demand for soft drinks?

• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) refers to leader’s ability to manage his/ her feelings and
emotions and those of others to manage the relations. For example why majority of
students cannot cope with the stress of exams besides being called the best?
 Leadership 4Qs

•Political intelligence (PQ) refers to leader’s ability to navigate a way forward through
diverse stakeholders’ agendas. For example how the current government was able to
convince various stakeholders to pass GST bill successfully.

•Moral Intelligence (MQ) refers to leader’s ability to lead with integrity, responsibility
forgiveness and compassion. For example being honest and open with employees makes
them more committed to working hard for the organisation
 Leadership 4Qs

•The above the DNA of effective leadership- the unconscious/ conscious

controls on the actions we take in response to external demands.

•There are several organizations have collapsed not because leaders lack of IQ,
PQ & EQ but due to MQ
 Leadership Traits and 4 Qs
1. A leader who has got the ability to analyze a problem logically then he/she has
a. MQ
b. EQ
c. IQ
d. CQ
2. A leader who has the ability to control his/her emotions then he/she has
a. PQ
b. CQ
c. Q1
d. EQ
3. A leader who has got the ability to navigate the various stakeholders then he/she has
a. CQ
b. IQ
c. PQ
d. QP
4. Which one of the following Qs is must for the leader
a. MQ
b. PQ
c. EQ
d. IQ
5. A leader is one who establishes
a. Sets up the company
b. Makes investment
c. Sets the vision, goals and motivates people
d. He/she has larger stake in the organization

Short questions

1. Define the leadership. Discuss the various traits of an effective leader in an

organisation
2. A good leader possess 4Qs to be hailed as the transformational leader