Leadership Theories: Trait Theory and Behavioural Theory

This presentation explores the trait theory and behavioural theory of leadership. It discusses the qualities and skills required to become a leader and how these theories apply to individuals. The presentation also highlights the limitations of these theories and provides references for further reading.

Leading Business
Organization

Leadership theories
 There are numerous theories of leadership.
 These have been developed over the years and hold significant
importance for companies in the modern times
 The theories are:
 Trait theory
 Behavioural theory
 Contingency theory
 Power and Influence theory

Trait Theory
 It states to become a leader there are certain qualities that an
individual must possess.
 In absence of such traits, one cannot become a leader.
 According to the theory, leadership is an innate, instinctive quality.
 It helps in identifying qualities and skills of a person and determine
whether or not he/she can become a leader.
 The trait leadership theory believes that people are either born or are
made with certain qualities that will make them excel in leadership
roles.
 But having such qualities does not guarantee that one can become a
leader.

How trait theory applies to me?
 During my tenure at a leadership position, I have learned that I
possess certain qualities and skills necessary for a leader.
 I am good at communicating and interacting with people.
 I can develop healthy relations easily.
 I have long term vision.
 But having these qualities did not make me a very good leader.
 Rather throughout my tenure in the company, I have determined that
I am not a good leader, primarily because I am a short tempered
person.
 This is one of the abilities that an individual must not possess, in
order to become a leader.

Behavioural Theory
 In reaction to the trait leadership theory, the behavioural theories are offering a new
perspective, one that focuses on the behaviours of the leaders as opposed to their
mental, physical or social characteristics.
 With the evolutions in psychometrics, notably the factor analysis, researchers were able
to measure the cause an effects relationship of specific human behaviours from leaders.
 From this point forward anyone with the right conditioning could have access to the
once before elite club of naturally gifted leaders.
 According to the theory, leaders are made; not born.
 It is the complete opposite of trait theory of leadership.
 The largest limitation to behavioural theory is that just because people learn the
practices and behaviours does not mean they will be able to enact the theory properly.
 There is a lack of knowledge on how behaviour theory can be used in various cultural
contexts and situations.

How behavioural theory applies to
me?
 One very important skill or behaviour that a leader must possess is to
remain calm in difficult situations.
 I am short tempered person.
 Due to this reason I have not progressed as a leader in the company.
 Behaviours can be learned.
 Over the years I have learned different skill sets.
 But possessing such knowledge has not made me a better leader.

References
 Haeckel, S. H., 2013. Adaptive enterprise: Creating and leading
sense-and-respond organizations. Harvard business press.
 Galaskiewicz, J., 2016. Social organization of an urban grants
economy: A study of business philanthropy and nonprofit
organizations. Elsevier.
 Fisher, D., 2010. Leading a sustainable organization. The Journal for
Quality and Participation. 32(4).p. 29.
 Cummings, T. G. and Worley, C. G., 2014. Organization development
and change. Cengage learning.

Thank You!!!