33. Leaders: Great Man and Trait Schools

Great man theory

• Leaders are great people born with natural leadership qualities. History is shaped by the leadership of these great men.

  • There is no such thing as leadership by the common people; they are always led by the superior few
  • Explains leadership on the basis of inheritance
  • Examples: Kings and queens
    Trait theory

• Leadership is best learned by studying the traits of successful leaders which are usually hereditary

• Effective leaders are the key to effective leadership (“one circle”)

• Effective leaders are natural leaders

  • Examples: Martin Luther King, JFK, Lee Iacocca
    Leader traits: Bennis

• Strong sense of purpose

• Persistent

• Self-knowledgeable

Leader traits: Bennis (continued)

• Always learning

• Sense of joy in work

• magnetic, draws others

• Mature in relationships

• Takes risks, likes to experiment

• Sees mistakes as opportunities

• Seeks to serve the needs of others

Leader traits: Stogdill

• Adaptable to situations

• Alert to social environment

• Ambitious and achievement oriented

• Assertive

• Cooperative

• Decisive

• Dependable

• Desire to influence others

• Energetic

• Persistent

• Self-confident

• Tolerant of stress

• Willing to assume responsibility

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