Leaders and Leadership Trait and Behavior Models of

Leaders and Leadership Trait and Behavior Models of Leadership

Leadership ¡ Leaders are people who influence other people and inspire, motivate and direct their activities to achieve group or organizational goals. l Leading is a very important process for all organizations (Jones and George 316)

Two Approaches to Leadership Trait Model of Leadership ¡ Behavior Model of Leadership ¡ (Jones and George 323)

Trait Model of Leadership Focuses on identifying the personal characteristics that cause effective leadership. ¡ Effective leaders have certain personality qualities. ¡ l Studies have shown that certain personality characteristics are associated with effective leadership. (Jones and George 323)

Traits and Personal Characteristics Related to Effective Leadership (Jones and George 324)

Advantages and Limitations to Trait Theory ¡ Advantages l l ¡ Limitations l l (Wynn 1) Lots of research has validated the foundation and basis of theory. Gives a detailed knowledge and understanding of the leader element in the leadership process. List of possible traits is very long. There is subjective judgment in determining who is a good or successful leader.

Behavior Model of Leadership What effective leaders actually do to influence their subordinates to achieve group and organizational goals. ¡ Two basic kinds of leader behaviors have been identified ¡ l l Consideration Initiating Structure (Jones and George 324)

Behavior Model of Leadership: Consideration shows subordinates that managers trust, respect and care about them. ¡ Managers who look out for the well being of their subordinates help them feel good and enjoy their work. ¡ (Jones and George 324)

Behavior Model of Leadership: Initiating Structure ¡ Behavior that managers engage in to ensure that work gets done, subordinates perform their jobs acceptably and the organization is efficient and effective. (Jones and George 324)

Leader Effectiveness The relationship between performance of consideration and initiating structure behaviors and leader effectiveness is not clear cut. ¡ The trait and behavior models of leadership alone can not explain leader effectiveness. ¡ (Jones and George 325)

Works Cited Jones, Gareth R. , and Jennifer M. George. Essentials of Contemporary Management. 5 th ed. New York, NY: Mc. Graw. Hill/Irwin, 2013. Print. Wynn, Susan R. "Trait Theory. " Encyclopedia of Educational Leadership and Administration. Ed. . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2006. 1029 -30. SAGE Reference Online. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.