Leadership

Trait Approach

MUHAMMAD ADNAN
MS (MS)
Contents
Introduction/Definition
Important Trait of Leadership
Five Factor personality Model
How does the trait approach work?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Definition

1) A distinguishing quality and characteristics, Typically one

belonging to a person.
2) A particular characteristics that can produce a particular
type of behaviour.
Example:
A few thing came into our mind while someone ask to describe our closest friend such as kind,
social person, honest. All of these represents trait.
Leadership Trait Approach
The trait approach suggest that a set of unique trait
differentiate leader from other people.
The unique traits make a person a good leader.
Recommendation of Researcher
Traits are relatively stable over time.
Traits differ among individuals.
Traits influence behaviour.
Traits are inborn qualities.
Important Traits of Leadership
Intelligence
Self Confidence
Determination
Integrity
Sociability
5 Factor Personality Model & Leadership
HOW DOES THE TRAIT APPROACH
WORK?
The trait approach focuses exclusively on the leader, not on
the followers or the situation.
Its emphasizes that having a leader with a certain set of
traits is crucial to having effective leadership.
This approach suggests that organizations will work better
if the people in managerial positions have designated
leadership profiles.
Strengths of Trait Approach
Trait Approach is one of the initial attempt to study
Leadership.
Trait Approach Primarily focused on Leaders.
The Theory provides a broader picture of qualities required
to be a good leader.
Its helps to differentiate between leader and non leader.
Weaknesses of Trait Approach
The approach did not take into consideration a situation.
Less emphasized on outcomes of group or team
organization.
This approach gives no room for learning and development
of leadership as its set of fixed qualities.
Summary
Trait theory explain our personality by identifying our stable
characteristics and ways of behaving. They have identified important
dimensions of personality. The Five Factor Model is the most widely
accepted trait theory today.
This approach gives an clear idea as it is focused on leader. Its also
provides benchmark against which ones can evaluate personal
leadership attribute. Besides the advantages, trait approach did not
provide definitive list of trait. Another negative side is that it does
take into consider the impact of situation.
Thank You