Critical Analysis of Leadership Journal Article: Theories and Models

This report provides a critical analysis of a journal article focusing on leadership. The analysis covers various aspects, including the overview of the article, effectiveness of leadership, and an integrated model of leader traits, behaviors, and effectiveness. The report delves into different leadership theories and paradigms, such as the leader trait paradigm, exploring how traits, behaviors, and situational factors influence leadership outcomes. It discusses the importance of leadership in organizational success, highlighting the impact on teamwork, employee engagement, and the working environment. The report also examines the roles of leadership in different situations and provides insights into the evolution of leadership ideas from historical and contemporary perspectives. The analysis emphasizes the integration of traits and behaviors for effective leadership, including individual, group, and organizational levels. The report also presents the relationship between leadership and spiritual practices and values that impact leadership success. This report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts presented in the article, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership and the various factors that contribute to it.

Critical Analysis of
Journal Article

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
ARTICLE.........................................................................................................................................1
Overview of the Article..........................................................................................................1
Effectiveness of leadership.....................................................................................................1
An Integrated Model of Leader Traits, Behaviours, and Effectiveness.................................5
The Leader Trait Paradigm.....................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Leadership introduces as the ability of a person or a group of person to influence and
guide followers and many other members of an enterprise. In simple word, leadership is the
capability of a superior to influence the behaviour and attitude of a subordinate or team and lead
then to follow a specific course of action (Karagianni and Jude Montgomery, 2018). Thus,
leadership is the art to of persuade and leading people in such a way that will win their
confidence, respect, obedience and loyal cooperation in accomplishing mutual objectives. The
present report is based on critical analysis of a Journal Article which is related with trait and
behavioural theories of leadership. Along with this, critical analysis of effectiveness of
leadership, leadership theories and Integrated Model of Leader Traits and Behaviour will be
discussed in this assignment.
ARTICLE
Overview of the Article
The present article is based on the traits and behaviour of leader, and role of integrative
theory in influence of leadership effectiveness. With the help of this article, a researcher can
addresses lack of such integration by creating an integrated trait-behavioural framework. It will
help an investigator to signify effectiveness of leadership and then analysis behaviours and traits
of leader (Den Hartog and Belschak, 2016).An Integrated Model of Leader Traits, Behaviors,
and Effectiveness help in creating effectiveness of leadership. Along with this, trait of leader can
cover gender, intelligence, personality etc. while behaviours are mainly related with
transformational-transactional and structure-consideration. Leadership effectiveness is mainly
related with group performance, satisfaction with the leader and many other followers. However,
the entire findings show that an integrative framework wherein the leader behaviours mediate the
effective relation betwixt traits and effectiveness of leadership is warranted.
Effectiveness of leadership
Leadership is more essential and crucial in any type of enterprise. Imperfect or inaccurate
leadership may encounter different issues whereas perfect leadership may help an organisation in
smooth functioning, motivating workers and overall effectiveness. It is always being vivid and
vital from time-to-time and enterprise to enterprise. There are different reasons about this such as
working style, interaction pattern of employee, fitness of leader with the company structure and
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many other related factors. Along with this, leadership can be defined as an essential process of
influencing an individual to perform business activities within given time period. For this,
business leader follows different styles with subordinates to persuade the situation and create
impact on workers (Rant and Cerne, 2017). According to the article, effectiveness of leadership
can be classified into three parts such as content, level of analysis and target of evaluation.
Content of leadership effectiveness is mainly related with individual and group performance,
satisfaction with the leader and overall judgement of effectiveness that encompass both relational
and task elements. Along with this, the level of analysis corresponds to whether effectiveness of
leadership is conceptualized at the dyadic, organisational, group and individual level (Nichols,
2016). At last, target of evaluation introduces to whether the business leader is the target of
evaluation such as satisfaction with leader, leader effectiveness and many other results within the
domain of leadership potency but not specific to the leader. In this study, researcher mainly
emphasis on four distinct criteria for leadership effectiveness such as individual leader
effectiveness, follower job satisfaction, group performance and follower satisfaction with leader.
According to the Mitra Madanchiana, NorashikinHusseina and FauziahNoordin, 2017,
effective leadership is a key and essential analyst of enterprise growth or failure while analysing
the factors that lead to business success. There is big role is played by the leadership in the
enhancement of the working of an organization. The main aspect which is determined with the
help of effective leadership is about team work. This will provide an opportunity to build good
teams within an organization and achieve their stated objectives within stipulated period of time.
The positive impact of leadership is not only seen of the accomplishment of the objectives but
also seems on working environment, employees passion, labour turnover rate, enhanced
coordination and cooperation etc. The main traits which have by leader to build the environment
of effective leadership includes problem solving, effective communication and listening. These
activities ensures the leader to deliver their best to the employees of an organisation and grab
their trust and loyalty. Employee engagement is the main determinant which help an organization
to become successful and sustainable.
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According to the, Lu and Lin, (2016), this is a contingency model which is centric
towards effectiveness of leadership. As, this level of model has stated the effectiveness of group
working which is completely dependents on a level of interaction which has taken place between
leadership style and a condition on which different situations enables. As it will help a leaders to
make use of their influences on an optimised level of working. This theory majorly tells over
task-oriented leadership style which is the best style, when applied to favourable leadership
situations, relationship-oriented style has been acted as a best in matters of taking immediate
action on a given situations, on the other hand, task-oriented style has been termed as most
effective style while in situation of an unfavourable group situations. According to this theory,
there are two measures of leadership style which are founded as like: least preferred co-worker
(LPC) and assumed similarities among the opposites (ASO).
On other side Seelhofer and Valeri, (2017), there has a reciprocity between an effective
leadership and level of spiritual practices and values of an effective working. With passing of
course of time, the values are majorly regarded as a spiritual ideals with power of honesty, level
of integrity, humility etc. which are majorly identified with significant impact on success and
achievement of leadership. Moreover, this level of practices were previously regarded to be more
associated with spirituality as a part of day to day life which has been found for having
substantial effect on continuity of leadership. All of the given stated practices has provided major
stressed upon as part of many spiritual teachings and with an essential leadership skills: listening
properly, showing respects respect for others, awarding about of their care and concern, re-
compensation and rewarded their contributions, pretending an effective level of treatment and
indulged in reflective practice and exhibiting fair treatment towards all.
As part of an evaluation, leadership effectiveness has been defined as basis upon which
basic criteria which needs to be possess by others in context of essential skills and information of
being act as to guide defined team in a productive manner. This is an guidance which is crucial
to generate behavioural characteristics of people working for attainment of personal and
professional goals. These skills which acts as a major criteria to measures about an effectiveness
of leadership to led decision making, productive communication, enables adaptability, generating
creative thinking, level of critical thinking, skills based on innovation and creativity, being
honest, power of an integrity, development of leadership etc.
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According to the Asgary and Thamhain, (2016), the ideas about leadership have been
evolved in an historical perspective along with certain characteristics and emphases that can
tracked out in the timeline that comprise from nineteenth to all the way to twenty first century.
These can been categorized that be further defined categories such as leader trait paradigm of
classical, visionary, transactional and the latest one which is organic theories. These tends to
demonstrate their distinguishing features, ideologies and concepts. A paradigm can be serve as
an useful construct that can facilitates study which will help in interpretation and understanding,
a single paradigm is not likely to manifest in a form which is pure from or is in form of single
historical period. Which is simply because of one reason that is, it is an part of process which
involves developing thinking and also involves examining experiences. The various paradigm
characteristics can be used in order to facilitates understanding about a range of different
leadership approaches that can be operating in the same businesses and within people that
depends upon two factors such as context and situation. That is the reason why it is more likely
to observe development of ideas about leadership as spectrum instead of seeing it as continuum,
that consists of ability of chameleon that can blend and adapt colours in order to fit the situation
and the environment.
On the other hand Rant and Cerne, (2017), Beside this the evolution in different aspects
such as social, historical, political, and cultural context, paradigm comprises of adoption of
leadership embrace theories that are being evolved by studying a particular situation for example
business, public service or education and this enable emphasising on various elements and values
that are relevant to the nature and the goals and aims of the business sectors. Moreover, the
paradigm differs in different situation that depends upon the factors that involve situating
leadership that can be in different areas as in person or process or position. In the situation which
comprises of locating leadership in personhood, traits or competencies of leader and the central
leader and follower relationship. Under the positional leadership the emphasis will be on power,
leadership, authority and hierarchy along with the emphasis will be on leaders that exit in the
organisational context. In the process when leadership is depicted as process the prime focus will
be on the interaction and reciprocity of different relationships. The interplay among the ideas that
are associated with person , process and position in the leadership theories does not possess the
feature of mutual exclusiveness but the emphasis tends to provide an character to the theories
that can be placed along with the present paradigm of leadership.
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An Integrated Model of Leader Traits, Behaviours, and Effectiveness.
As per the information mentioned in article, Integrated Model of Leader Traits,
Behaviours, and Effectiveness is classified into different aspects. Leader traits and characteristic
is based on demographic, task competence and interpersonal attributes, leader behaviour is based
on task-oriented, relational-oriented and change oriented. All these are essential for enhancing
effectiveness of leadership.
According to the Doug Strycharczyk, 2016, Integrated Model of Leader Traits,
Behaviours, and Effectiveness have appeal and most seem to bring something to better
understanding of leadership. This is especially actual of behavioural models. But there is very
few solid objective grounds to help any one specific image of leadership style and behaviour.
Therefore, Integrated Model of Leader Traits, Behaviours, and Effectiveness is more
essential for leader to express their behaviour, traits and characteristic. All these will support a
leader to make better reputation in any type of organisation.
The Leader Trait Paradigm
According to the Nichols, 2016, There are different paradigm which are developed to
date that facilitates demonstration which comprises of characterising the ways the leadership is
being executed, dominant focus and leadership situation. The three paradigm comprises of
classical, transactional and visionary. They tends to possess different emphasis but they still
situate leadership in relation with a designated position, executing leadership with power and the
strength of the personal traits. The classical and visionary ideologies may look like stark
contrasts in the exercising of leadership still they tend to focus on the personhood of leader by
emphasising from inherent trait to personal and behavioural qualities that are being highlighted
in the different ways of working that focus on inspiring people to work towards achievement of
organisational goals and objectives. Whereas transactional leadership focus on the positional lead
role in relation with the study of hierarchical superiority that exist between the leaders and the
followers following them. The main focus is on the efficiency and breaking the task to individual
performance in which the success is being measure against target or output. Transactional
leadership have developed from the perspective of rational scientific management and it can be
considered as bureaucratic that is because of the reason that it focus on task management and
delegation and performance measurement it is in contrast with the ideas that emerged in the
earlier time period where the the business goals required the leader to create a culture for the
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followers which comprised of shared objective that was a period that have seen emergence in the
visionary paradigm which does not indicate that the influence of the scientific management and
transactional leadership has ended.
On the other hand Ghasabeh, Soosay and Reaiche, 2015 stated that, there are a range of
leadership theories that are being reviewed under the leader trait paradigm. The paradigm
facilitates various advantages among them the biggest advantage is that it facilitates a range of
factors that can are being determined within the model which helps in distinguishing between
leaders and other individuals. Along with the various characteristics and basis that can be used
to judge upon, the model comprises with one disadvantage that involves producing vague and
ambiguous results. These results cannot be applied in universal context that is why they have
limited amount of applicability. These review emphasises can be reflected under the article
which is based upon two aspects. The first aspect is in regard with the traits that facilitates
difference between leaders from other individuals. The second aspect of the article was related
with the magnitude of the differences. In order to so the same different types of traits have been
utilised in relation with demographics, interpersonal attributes and task competencies as well.
According to the Volmer, Koch and Göritz, (2016), the article tends to focus on using the
traits in order to differentiate between leaders. For example as per the article, when the
comparison is being done on a demographic basis. The results depict that men and women have
slight different approach on adoption of leadership practices, but they tend to carry out their role
in an effective manner. Similarly, according to the concern related with relative validity of leader
traits. Interpersonal attributes are considered both efficient and effective in the process of
determination of leadership qualities. They results in leaders possessing the factors such as being
quite extraverted and agreeable on a higher level instead of possessing emotional attachment
with the followers.
As per the article the leadership paradigm is composed of different elements such as
demographics, task competence, interpersonal attributes and relative validity of leader traits. The
demographic factor involves various factors such as physical characteristics, education and
experience. Whereas task competencies involves how individuals approach the execution and
permanence of task. The interpersonal attributes involve leader traits that relates how individuals
approach social interactions where as relative validity of leader traits comprises researchers
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suggesting that leaders traits are related with task competences and interpersonal attributes are
among the essential predictor of leadership effectiveness.
On the other hand Nichols, (2016), in order to lead the followers in an effective and
efficient manner toward the desired path it is essential for leaders to possess certain traits. It is
also desired by people so that they can be sure that they are following the correct leader.
However, as per their researchers the leadership traits are developed in relation in relation with
the leadership desires. So, both the distinguishing leaders along with other individuals will not
depend upon traits which are being elaborated in the above paragraphs and instead they would
depend upon the desires. Their views in regard with the leadership traits are so strong that they
make the other factors provide distinguish inconsistent when they are being compared with the
viewpoints. Which is because of the reason that they tend to regard the factors such as
demographics and relative validity at low level and desires are playing an essential role in the
overall development of the leadership traits. The plus point is that their research is only paying
attention to one element for facilitating distinguish among leaders in relation with other people.
Whereas the article provide an opportunity that comprises a spectrum for the same by including
several elements in the distinguishing process (Cruickshank and Collins, 2015). Moreover,
different elements that are being used under the article are fairly diverse in the nature which
enables wider area that can facilitates better differentiation. Along with it all factors, the
difference between leaders and other people can be highlighted in an efficient manner by applied
approach that is being used in the article.
Therefore, both the approach that have been applied are quite effective and essential and
they are appropriate as well in regard with establishing and distinguishing leaders in comparison
with other individuals. Both the applied approaches facilitates effective essence in interpretation
of an individual to leader Youli and Chao, (2015). In the paradigm concern, there are a range of
various essential and effective elements that can be used in differentiating individuals that will
facilitates an effective and adequate differentiation. If the differentiation is done on a small group
of people and in a wider sense, then demographics and relative validity can be treated as
parameters. In addition to this it can also be said that appropriates and precise factor needs to
outlined under these parameters in order to facilitates differentiate in an effective manner in the
different organisational scenarios.
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CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the discussion that there is huge role is played by the traits and
characteristics in the development of effective leadership environment. This will provides an
opportunity to resolve complex situations easily and get the better results. The main traits which
are analysed within an effective leader includes communication, listening and problem solving.
All these skills have huge contribution to become successful leaders and attain workplace
objectives within the stipulated period of time. Also, there is contribution of leadership
approaches and models in the development of the employee morale and organizational
environment. The many other benefits which are associated with the effective leadership and the
same ascertained by the organization includes timely completion of objectives, employee
engagement and enhanced passion.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Asgary, N., & Thamhain, H. (2016). Leadership Lessons from Managing Multinational Project
Teams. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management. 13(02).
1650007.
Den Hartog, D. N., & Belschak, F. D. (2016). Leadership and employee proactivity.
In Proactivity at Work (pp. 429-451). Routledge.
Ghasabeh, M. S., Soosay, C., & Reaiche, C. (2015). The emerging role of transformational
leadership. The Journal of Developing Areas. 49(6). 459-467.
Karagianni, D., & Jude Montgomery, A. (2018). Developing leadership skills among adolescents
and young adults: a review of leadership programmes. International Journal of
Adolescence and Youth. 23(1). 86-98.
Lu, Y. L., & Lin, Y. C. (2016). How to Identify Effective Schools in the New Period: Use the
Fuzzy Correlation Coefficient of Distributed Leadership and School
Effectiveness. International Journal of Intelligent Technologies & Applied
Statistics. 9(4).
Nichols, A. L. (2016). What do people desire in their leaders? The effect of leadership
experience on desired leadership traits. Leadership & Organization Development
Journal. 37(5). 658-671.
Nichols, A. L. (2016). What do people desire in their leaders? The effect of leadership
experience on desired leadership traits. Leadership & Organization Development
Journal. 37(5). 658-671.
Rant, M. B., & Cerne, S. K. (2017). Becoming a hidden champion: From selective use of
customer intimacy and product leadership to business attractiveness. South East
European Journal of Economics and Business. 12(1). 89-103.
Seelhofer, D., & Valeri, G. (2017). The interplay between leadership and team performance: An
empirical investigation in a major swiss hr consulting firm. Central European Business
Review. 6(1). 5-25.
Volmer, J., Koch, I. K., & Göritz, A. S. (2016). The bright and dark sides of leaders' dark triad
traits: Effects on subordinates' career success and well-being. Personality and
Individual Differences. 101. 413-418.
Youli, H., & Chao, L. (2015). A comparative study between the dark triad of personality and the
big five. Canadian Social Science. 11(1). 93.
Online
Mitra Madanchiana, NorashikinHusseina and FauziahNoordin. 2017. Leadership Effectiveness
Measurement and Its Effect on Organization Outcomes. 2019. [Online]. Available
Through: <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877705817310950>
Doug Strycharczyk, 2016.The Integrated Leadership Model and Measure. [Online]. Available
Through: <https://www.koganpage.com/article/the-integrated-leadership-model-and-
measure>
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