Leadership: Traits, Theories, Characteristics, and Motivational Theories

LEADERSHIP

TABLE OF CONTENT
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
Question – 1.................................................................................................................................4
Question – 2.................................................................................................................................6
Q.3 Critically discussing the statement with relevant motivational theories:..............................7
Q.4 The future of work is becoming more flexible. What are some challenges leaders may face
with this new way of working?..................................................................................................10
Q.5 Critically discussing the statement using ethical and destructive leadership theories:.......12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

MAIN BODY
Question – 1
Effectiveness of the leadership from an individual is largely dependent upon the traits
that he/she possesses. Leaders that are successful surely possess certain abilities, interests or a
personality which differentiates them from the other leaders who are less effective. This is very
clearly explained by the following theories:
Trait Theory of Leadership:
It is based on the traits or characteristics of various leaders including successful as well as
unsuccessful leaders and thus allows prediction of effectiveness of the leadership (Siangchokyoo,
Klinger and Campion, 2020). In this, the traits of potential leaders are compared with a list of
traits to evaluated and predict their success or failure in the future. Core traits specified under
this theory are:
 Achievement drive – It includes greater level of effort, ambition, initiative and energy.
 Leadership motivation – It includes a zeal of an individual to lead others and achievement
of the shared objectives and goals.
 Honesty and integrity – It includes qualities of an individual being trustworthy, open and
reliable.
 Self-confidence – It includes one’s belief in self.
 Cognitive ability – It includes capability of an individual to exercise a good judgement,
skills and strong ability to analyse.
 Knowledge of business – It includes base of knowledge that an individual possesses about
an industry and other technical matters.
 Emotional Maturity – It includes quality of an individual to adjust in any situation.
 Others – It includes miscellaneous qualities like creativity, flexibility and charisma.
Transformational Theory of Leadership:
Such a theory of leadership has emerged from the need to create high – performance workforce
which is possible through inspiration from the business leaders and them going beyond what a
particular task requires or entails (Gardner and et.al. 2021). Such a type of leadership is prevalent
at all the organizational levels i.e., teams, departments, divisions and the whole organisation. The
leaders as per this theory must possess the following four factors:

1. Inspirational Motivation – It involves promoting the aspects like consistent vision, set of
values and mission to the members. The followers are guided through imparting a sense of
challenge and meaning to them.
2. Intellectual Stimulation – It involves encouragement from the side of the leader to inculcate
innovativeness and creativity in the followers which leads to encouragement of new ideas
from such followers and specifically never criticizing them for the mistakes publically.
3. Idealized Influence – This includes the idealism that a leader must follow and practice what
he is preaching (Putriastuti and Stasi, 2019). For the followers, such a leader plays a role of a
role model i.e., it is the actions of the leaders which makes the followers believe, trust and
respect him. And this is done through prioritizing the needs of the followers over their own
and compromising their personal gains for the sake of betterment of the followers.
4. Individualized Consideration – Every ounce of innovation and creativity that the followers
inculcate in their work shall be considered and rewarded by the leaders i.e., acting as a true
mentor for them. In this aspect, the followers are treated on the basis of the knowledge and
talent that they possess. They are given the power to take influential decisions and given the
support they need for implementation of their decisions.
Transactional Theory of Leadership:
Focussing on the processes of basic management i.e., short – term planning, controlling and
organizing, such a type of leadership theory is most often utilized and implemented by the
managers. In such type of theory, the self – interests of the followers are being appealed to
develop a sense of motivation and direction in them (Kiral, 2020). This is done through
exercising of the formal authority and responsibility in the entity. In this theory of leadership, the
follower’s primary goal is obeying the leader’s instructions which can also be referred to as
‘telling style’. The concepts of rewarding and punishments are used to motivate the employees
i.e., if the work has been done as per the directions of the leader, worker will be rewarded or else,
punishments will follow. Four dimensions are involved:
1. Contingent Rewards – Transactional leaders are known for setting SMART objectives for
the followers i.e., which are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Also, as per
such leaders, goals and rewards are linked to each other.