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Leadership Theories

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The Great Man Theory

Great Man Theory concentrated on what distinguished leaders from followers. Mostly associated with 19th century philosopher and historian, Thomas Carlyle, it assumed that these distinctions were inherent, that is, leaders are born not made. Carlyle believed that society does change but must do so intelligently by direction of �great men'.[1] This suggests that Great Man Theory is an attempt to explain the link between key historical events and the leaders critical to these events � how much influence on these events do leaders have? The focus was on great military, social and political leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, Churchill and Gandhi. The term �Great Man� was used due to the attitudes of the time where leadership was believed to be primarily a male characteristic.

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With Great Man Theory, leaders were often perceived as heroic, even mythic, men who were destined to become great leaders when needed. They shaped history through ��vision of their intellect, the beauty of their art, the prowess of their leadership, and, most important, their divine inspiration.�[2] Basically it presupposed good leaders to be born with the definite set of traits that can be applied to any situation which became a major flaw in this theory. Not all the leaders demonstrated all of the traits and there were difficulties in establishing a universal set of characteristics.

Another downfall of this model is its limitations to be forward thinking; it is developed through hindsight, that is, the leader will emerge during a significant event but their success is only determined after (and if) actual power is established.

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Trait Theory

The Trait approach concentrates on identifying certain qualities that defines leadership with the underlying assumption that if others could demonstrate these traits it could be expected that they too could become great leaders. An extension of Great Man Theory, Trait Theory argues a universal set of traits can be established and is stable in nature � an effective leader in one situation can be an effective leader in another.[3]

Main points in Trait Theory:

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Believes a set of universal traits of leaders can be established

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Assumes that certain physical, social, and personal characteristics are inherent in leaders

Certain physical attributes include � energetic, tall, handsome

Social position � such as right education, socially prominent or upwardly mobile

Personal characteristics include � intelligent, self-confident, integrity, determination

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Traits exhibited in an individual can be enhanced to increase performance and therefore success.

Weaknesses

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Concentrates on what makes a great leader not on how to effectively lead

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Traits increase chances of success but not guarantee

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Fails to identify a single set of traits that will consistently distinguish leaders from followers

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Focuses exclusively on leader � does not consider situation or followers

Although the characteristics of leaders are important it has proved impossible to establish one universal list of traits necessary to be a leader.[3]

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References:

[1] The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright � 2001-05 Columbia University Press. Sourced on 20 October, 2006 from http://www.bartleby.com/65/ca/CarlyleT.html
[2] The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition., 2002 Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Houghton Mifflin Company. Sourced 26 October, 2006 from http://www.bartleby.com/59/17/greatmantheo.html
[3] Doyle, M. E. and Smith, M. K. (2001) �Classical leadership�, the encyclopedia of informal education, Sourced on 20 October, 2006 from http://www.infed.org/leadership/traditional_leadership.htm

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Sourced from http://office.microsoft.com MPj02020840000[1].jpg [Abraham Lincoln]
Microsoft Office XP (2000). j0316767.jpg [see no evil]

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