Critical Reflective Evaluation Report

Critical Reflective
Evaluation Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report investigates various leadership styles in the present day scenario and
discusses the significance, importance, scope and applicability of these concepts in real world
situations. Leadership can be defined as a cognitive process that influences behaviour of people
in a way that it instils a sense of willingness and enthusiasm towards achieving a set of goals or
objectives. A leader ensures proper coordination of personal interests with organisational
objectives by inducing actions among employees by motivating them through proper guidance,
thus creating confidence and inducing change.
A detailed discussion of Trait theory has been undertaken in this report and a reflective
account has been presented thereof. Trait Model of Leadership discusses the variables that
positively as well as negatively impact the leadership effectiveness by evaluating psychological,
personality and social characteristics in an individual. Apart from this, it also sheds a light on the
strengths and limitations of this leadership style along with reviewing some of the
transformational leaders based on similarities identified in their personality traits.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1
2.0 Definition of Leadership ...........................................................................................................1
3.0 Leadership vs. Management......................................................................................................1
4.0 Evolution of 'Trait Leadership'..................................................................................................3
5.0 Major Constituents of 'Traits Leadership' theory.......................................................................4
6.0 Successors of Trait theory..........................................................................................................7
Trait leadership style....................................................................................................................7
7.0 Transformational Leaders and their Personality Traits.............................................................8
M. K. Gandhi...............................................................................................................................8
Abraham Lincoln.......................................................................................................................10
Elon Musk..................................................................................................................................11
8.0 Strengths of Trait leadership Style...........................................................................................12
9.0 Limitations of Trait leadership Style.......................................................................................12
10.0 A Reflective Account on Trait Leadership Theory................................................................13
11.0 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

List of Figures
Figure 1: Roles and Functions of Management Leadership
Figure 2: The Big Five Personality Factors
Figure 3: Constituents of Trait Leadership Style
Figure 4: Characteristics of Trait Leadership Style
Figure 5: Mahatma Gandhi
Figure 6: Abraham Lincoln
Figure 7: Elon Musk
Figure 8: Effective Leadership Qualities