Critical Analysis of Trait Theory and Leadership Style - MAN6006

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership theories, focusing on trait theory and leadership styles. It includes a literature review, primary evidence from interviews with managers at Drakes Supermarket, and secondary evidence related to leadership competencies. The report defines leadership and trait theory, explains different leadership styles (autocratic, transformational, etc.), and offers criticisms of both trait theory and style-based leadership. Examples of famous leaders and recommendations for improving leadership approaches are also included. The research methodology involved online research and evidence collection from past experiences. The report concludes that leaders are made through experience and that effective leadership is crucial for organizational success. The assessment is for the module MAN6006 The Real World of Management at Birmingham City Business School.

LEADERSHIP
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Research Methodology
• Literature Review
• Definition
• Explanation
• Criticism
• Evidence
• Methodology of collection
• Primary Evidence
• Secondary Evidence
• Criticism Commentary
• Conclusion
• References

LEADERSHIP
• Leadership is defined as the ability which helps in developing
a vision which helps in motivating the others to move with the
passion towards the common goal for the entire success of the
organization in an efficient manner (Anderson and Sun 2017)
• Proper leadership is essential in nature which helps in
managing the different activities of the organization who will
be the one who direct the employees in performing the
activities in a positive aspect (Asrar-ul-Haq and Kuchinke
2016)

THEORY STATEMENT
• Trait Theory will help in identifying the
traits along with the different
characteristics of the individuals which
are used in order to analyze the
effectiveness of the leaders. The traits in
the leadership are inherited and this can
never be learnt.
• The style of the leadership is being referred
to the behavior and characteristics of the
individuals which are being used while
implementing the different plans and
motivating the different individuals. There
are different styles of leadership which are
being followed by various leaders in the
organizations.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The main aspect of what will be conducted in the entire
presentation has been shown in the diagram wherein the
main theme will be analyzed along with the theory related
to leadership. More than 55% of the time has been spent in
online research in order to gain literature review on the
following leadership approaches along with the different
criticisms on the theory from the different past authors. The
evidence is furthermore collected in evidence base on the
past experiences which helped in managing the different
aspects of leadership in real world in an effective manner.

LITERATURE REVIEW
• Yahaya, and Ebrahim (2016), has commented that the different traits if leadership
helped in analyzing the different approaches of leadership which are being
followed in the organization in an efficient manner. Williams (2017), has
hypothesized that leader is inborn as this was believed in the past that the leaders
are born and the great man theory helped in analyzing that the great attributes of
the individuals are being concentrated which helps in determining the specific
kind of traits which will be helpful in differentiating themselves from the other
leaders.
• On the other hand, Saleem (2015), has opined that the trait theory helps in
assuming that the people inherit few qualities along with the different traits which
helps them in making the best. The different early leadership studies helped in
focusing mainly on identifying the different traits which are necessary and this is
required to be possessed by the various leaders as well.

DEFINITION- TRAIT THEORY
Traits Skills
Too adaptable to various situations Socially skilled in nature
Cooperative in nature Creative in nature
Decisiveness Intelligent in nature
Dependable Tactful and fluent in speaking skills
Self confident Persuasive in nature
Tolerant of Stress Have huge knowledge regarding the various tasks
Assertive and ambitious in nature Skilled

STUDY ON TRAITS AND SKILLS OF
LEADERSHIP
Anderson and Sun
2017
Holten and Brenner
2015
Keskes 2015 Yahaya and
Ebrahim, 2016
Nanjundeswaraswam
y and Swami 2014
Initiative Masculinity Achievement Cognitive kind of
abilities
Self-Monitoring
Self confident Dominance Persistence Integrity along with
confidence
Cognitive abilities
Responsible Conservatism Influence and
sociability
Knowledge on various
tasks
Social intelligence
Alertness Insight Motivation Problem Solving

LEADERSHIP STYLE
• Anderson and Sun 2017- The style of leadership helps in analyzing the different
approaches of the leadership which helps in providing direction to the different
employees working in the organization.
• Holten and Brenner 2015- Leadership is the inspiring concept which helps in pursuing
the different dreams and this helps in gaining competitive advantage in the same.
• Keskes 2015- The leadership is the process through which this is the social influence
and this helps in maximizing the efforts towards the achievement of the different goals

EXPLANATION OF TRAIT THEORY
Fleeson, W. and Jayawickreme, E., 2016. Whole trait theory: Does it work for virtue?
The respective author in the article helped in analyzing that the effective kinds of leaders
are essential in managing the different activities in the organization and this will
maximize the overall effectiveness of the tasks which are performed in the
organization. The motivation is the major concept which is required to be analyzed and
adopted as this assist in managing the morale of the employees in performing the
different activities.

EXPLANATION OF STYLE OF
LEADERSHIP
There are different styles of leadership which is inclusive of the following:
• Autocratic leadership
• Transformational leadership
• Cross-cultural leadership
• Laissez-faire leadership
• Democratic leadership
Kurt Lewin tried in holding a group of researchers which helped in
managing the different activities in an efficient manner in which the
different styles of leadership are taken into consideration and this helped
in managing the overall effectiveness of the organization.

DIFFERENT STYLES OF
LEADERSHIP
• Autocratic leadership
• Transformational leadership
• Cross-cultural leadership
• Laissez-faire leadership
• Democratic leadership

EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT FAMOUS
LEADERS
• Steve Jobs is one of the examples of the autocratic leader wherein
he was the dictator and he used to manage the entire group of
individuals in an efficient manner
• Jeff Bezos is the other example of democratic kind of leader
wherein he is the leader who takes the different opinion of the
different employees which will be helpful in managing the different
kinds of activities and this increased the overall productivity of the
firm
• Nelson Mandela is the laissez faire leader in which the main motive
of the person was to take the things have their own course of action
and this was done by Mahatma Gandhi without interfering

CRITICISMS ON TRAIT
Romager et al. (2017), has opined and commented that the trait theory are too simplistic in
nature and there are no such characteristics of the trait theory of leadership. On the other
hand, Saleem (2015), has hypothesized and opined that the leaders are the ones who are
created with emotional kind of stability along with they have the overall capability to
admit the different errors or issues which are being helpful in dealing with the situation in
an efficient manner. Yahaya and Ebrahim (2016), has commented that the capability of the
leader can be learned and this is not being inherited in nature.

CRITICISM ON STYLE OF LEADERSHIP
Maak, Pless and Voegtlin (2016), has argued that the there are various situations in which
the style of leaders vary from one another. The criticism which is being associated with
the democratic kind of leadership style is that the different leaders try to talk with the
different subordinates and they do not take the different decisions in a prompt manner.

METHODOLOGY OF COLLECTION
OF EVIDENCE
• There are different kinds of interviews along with personal
observations of the different individuals are taken as the actual
evidence for collection of the data in an efficient manner.
Furthermore, this was difficult to take and conduct interviews of
the different managers along with the different subordinates . I
started the entire process by sending the mails to the different
managers as this helped me in analyzing their viewpoints of the
interview. After sending the mails to more than 5 managers, I
tried to fix the meeting for the session of interview for 2
managers. I am thankful to them as they are busy with their
work, yet they have taken out time for the respective interview.
Sending
mails to
the
managers
Trying to get
their consent
for the
interview
Sending the
different
questions for
the
interviewee
Awaitin
g for the
reply
Taking
them as
the
evidence

ORGANIZATION CHART OF DRAKES
SUPERMARKET

BACKGROUND
Drakes is one of the best supermarkets in Australia wherein this was established in the year
1974 and the company has their stores in different parts of Australia and the other parts
of the world as well. The CEO of the company named Roger Drake tried to implement
the different kinds of departments in the supermarket which helped the company in
becoming one of the most successful supermarkets in the entire Australia. This is the
supermarket wherein the CEO is from Australia and the different staffs are from the
Australia and Malaysia as well.

LEADERSHIP TRAITS OF MANAGER
OF ABC COMPANY
• Honesty and Integrity
• Clarity regarding the work which is required to be performed
• Lack of proper and effective communication

PRIMARY EVIDENCE
• Roger Drake – CEO of Drake Supermarket
He is 45 years old man who has post graduation degree and this company is ran by the person for the
last few years.
Traits
Do you believe that the individual has specific traits which will make him/her a good leader? Explain
According to me, I feel that the person has some traits which are naturally inbuilt in them and this helps
them in becoming successful in their lives. As a leader, this is essential to be confident regarding the
different approaches regarding handling the issues in an effective manner.

CONTD…
• Do you think the leaders are born or they are being made? Please explain your viewpoint
As per me, I do not feel that the leaders are born, however the practice helps them in becoming perfect in the different
approaches and this helps them in becoming more effective in handling the different situations in the workplace
appropriately.
• Style of leadership
• What is the style of your leadership? What is you approach towards the different employees who are working in the
organization?
I am transformational and democratic kind of leader wherein I try to analyze the different viewpoints of the employees
working in the organization. I try to analyze their approach in such a manner which will be essential in gaining more
competitive advantage in the future.

CONTD…
• Annabelle Eckermann- Human Resource Department
Traits
What is your criteria of selecting and hiring candidates in the organization?
I try to conduct three rounds while selecting a candidate for a desired position. According to me, I feel that this is essential
to judge the candidates on their quality and this is required to be seen whether the candidate is confident enough in
dealing with the different kinds of situations in the organization.
Style of Leadership
• What is the style of your leadership towards the different candidates who are working in the organization?
I try to keep the communication open wherein I try to gather the different viewpoints of all the employees and then try to
come to a decision which will be beneficial in nature in handling the different situations in an efficient manner.
Furthermore, I feel that as an employee, this is essential in nature in becoming more extravagant in nature in handling
the various issues in such a manner which will be beneficial for the success and growth of the firm and self satisfaction.

SECONDARY EVIDENCE RELATED TO
TRAITS

DATA RELATED TO COMPETENCIES
AND SKILLS OF LEADERSHIP

RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVING
APPROACH OF LEADERSHIP
• Firstly, the different literature reviews, primary and secondary
evidence, this can be analyzed that leaders are not in born
talent, they try to gain the characteristics with the time and this
helps in managing the overall situation in an efficient manner
• The different leaders in the present scenario helps in analyzing
that the leaders are made through experience and this helps in
managing the overall efficiency in an appropriate manner as
well.

CONCLUSION
• Therefore, from the above, this can be identified that leadership
is crucial aspect that will assist in managing the various
operations in an efficient manner.
• Furthermore, leadership is essential as this maximises the
overall efficiency of the organization in an appropriate manner
• Effective kind of leadership helps in bringing together diverse
people and this helps in finding out the common purpose and
work towards in achieving the purposeful common goals of the
organization in an efficient manner

REFERENCES
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