This document compares and contrasts two leadership theories: trait theory and situational leadership theory. Trait theory suggests that leadership skills are innate, while situational leadership theory posits that the leadership style should depend on the situation. The document assesses that situational leadership is a more effective approach because it is flexible in different organizational contexts and motivates employees through supportive communication and emphasis on goals.

1. 1. Introduction:
Leadership has a dominant role in the management of an organization, especially when
dealing with the employees of the organization and motivating the group to achieve the
objectives of the organization in a smooth manner (Northouse 2009). This paper is a report
about the presentation about leadership, comparing two main leadership theories called as
trait theory of leadership and situational leadership theory.
2. Leadership Definition:
There are many definitions available for the concept of leadership. Most of the definitions
relate leadership to as the social influence created on other people such that recipient is
inspired, directed, managed and co-ordinated, which results in the accomplishment of the
common goals of the leader or the organization (Daft, 2008). There are many qualities that a
leader is supposed to possess. The importance of these qualities depends on the situation and
the circumstances. According to Adiar (2013), a leader must be able to insert an influence on
the employees, focussed on achievement, confident, charismatic, creative and flexible. A
leader with appropriate qualities and skills can inspire the workers and create a better
organizational culture. These benefits from an efficient leader make leadership an important
component in the organization.
3. Leadership Theories:
Starting from the introduction of the concept of leadership in the 1900’s, many theories have
been evolved on a regular basis signifying the definition and characteristics of a leadership
(Daft, 2008). Two main leadership theories, Trait theory of Leadership and Situational
Leadership is briefly described below,
3.1. Trait Theory of Leadership:
Trait theory is one of the oldest theories of leadership, where the theory defines that
leadership is a skill that is inborn in an individual and cannot be created. The character of the
leader will lead to leadership roles (Shriberg, 2011). Based on its characteristics, trait theory
of leadership is also referred to quality leadership.
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2. The main strengths trait theory of leadership is as follows,
The goals can be achieved through the person centred traits or skills
Difficult issues can be solved easily through the concept of trait theory of leadership
People provide maximum efficiency towards the job according to trait leadership
theory (Lussier, Achua, 2009)
The weakness of trait theory of leadership is as follows,
The trait theory is hardly practicable at all times
Sometimes the trait theory may result in giving a negative shade to leaders
Problems are largely created with trait leadership theory (Lussier, Achua, 2009)
3.2. Situational Leadership Theory:
The situational leadership theory comes under the contingency theory of leadership
introduced in 1980’s (Fairholm, 2009). The theory simply refers to the idea that there does
not exist a single pre-defined format of leadership that will satisfy all types of situations.
Rather, different leadership styles must be used based on the situation that is present at the
moment or may appear in future. The negatives of the trait theory and other former theories
of leadership were solved by the situational theory of leadership (Mayer, 2008). The people
behind this concept of leadership were Hersey and Blanchard. An effective leader will have
the capability to adapt to different leadership styles depending on the present circumstances.
The situational leadership is based on two main ideas. The first concept is that situational
leadership can have a supportive dimension. This path of the situational leadership is
considered as a two-way communication and the principal components are social
commitment and emotional attachment between the leader and the followers (Mayer, 2008).
The employees are more motivated through this concept of situational leadership.
The second concept is that situational leadership can have a directive dimension. According
to the directive dimension, the goals of the organization are given more emphasis. The
communication created between the leaders and the followers is one dimensional (Griffin,
Moorhead, 2011). The efficiency of leader will be to set different goals and demonstrate the
methods for attaining the set goals. The different dimensions of situational leadership based
on variations are given in figure 1.
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3. Figure.1 Situational Leadership
Source: Griffin Morrhead, 2011
The strength of situational leadership is as follows,
This is one of the simples leadership forms and is widely acceptable
Employees are best motivated or inspired through the situational leadership
The weakness of situational leadership is as follows,
There are limitations in terms of number of research made on this form of leadership
The success of the leadership is dependent on the co-operation of the employees
The methodology used must be clear and failure will cause frustration (Mayer, 2008)
4. Assessment of best leadership theory:
Based on the research, the author considers that situational leadership is far better compared
to trait theory of leadership. The assessment is based on the following information identified,
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4. The situational leadership is applicable to different sections within the organization. The
owner of the organization can utilise the situational leadership for motivating the top
management including the directors of the organization. The management can use this to
motivate the employees. Leadership can even generate among the employees motivating
other employees. Therefore, the concept of situational leadership is flexible and simple.
Another main advantage of this leadership is that the emotional and social factors are defined
well using the situational leadership. Normally a relationship is developed between the
employees and the leader through the situational leadership. This can support and direct the
employees equally. All these elements gives a efficient leadership tag to situational
leadership. It is reported that the top management of many Fortune 500 companies uses
situational leadership for the effective management of the staff (Daft, 2008).
5. Conclusion:
This paper describes the concept of leadership and compares two leadership theories called as
situational leadership and trait theory of leadership. After the discussion, it can be concluded
that situational leadership is best acceptable form of leadership style based on its
characteristics and advantages.
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5. References:
Adiar, J., (2013). Develop Your Leadership Skills. Kogan Page Publishers, 2nd Edition
Daft. R.L., (2008). The Leadership Experience. Cengage Learning. 4th Edition
Fairholm, M., (2009). Understanding Leadership Perspectives, Springer Publications
Griffin, R., Moorhead, G., (2011). Organizational Behavior: Managing People and
Organizations. Cengage Learning. 10th Edition
Lussier, R., Achua, C., (2009). Leadership: Theory, Application, & Skill Development,
Cengage Learning. 4th Edition
Mayer, T., (2008). What Makes a Good Leader & How Might the Performance of Leaders Be
Measured, Grin Verlag Publishing
Northouse, P.G., (2009). Leadership: Theory and Practice. SAGE. 5th Edition
Shriberg, A., (2011). Practicing Leadership Principles and Applications, John Wiley and
Sons, 4th Edition
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