Leadership theories
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This document provides an overview and comparison of two leadership theories: trait theory and behavioral theory. Trait theory believes that leaders are born with innate qualities and traits, while behavioral theory posits that leadership is learned through role modeling and experiences. The document outlines the key aspects of each theory, such as trait theory focusing on identifying patterns within individuals and behavioral theory emphasizing that leadership skills can be acquired. Both theories are then compared, noting their differing views on whether leadership is innate or learned.
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Leadership theories
- 1. Learning Team C Audley Bain, Christine Denison, and Carol Gipson EDL/500 Leadership Theories
- 2. Introduction There are eight major types of theories that explain the practice and concept of leadership. This presentation provides a brief overview and comparison of two of them; trait theory, and behavioral theory. When the term “leadership” comes to mind the image is usually of someone who communicates well, is a people person and a good decision maker. Leadership can be evaluated by traits someone is born with, or a building process of learned behaviors.
- 3. Trait Theory • People are born to be leaders • Indentifies patterns of behavior within an individual • Traits or characteristics tend to lead to effective leadership • Traits are considered stable or unchanging
- 4. Behavioral Theory • Leaders can be made rather than born • “Successful leadership is based in definable, learnable behavior” (Behavioral theory, 2002-2013) • “Looks at what leaders actually do” (Behavioral theory, 2002- 2013) • Leadership capabilities can be learned • Two type of behavioral theories; role theory and managerial grid QuotesPics.com
- 5. Role Theory • Provides a model of behavior in specific circumstances • Often known as ”play acting” • Was present in 2nd decade of 20th Century • Only snapshot of activity, may not be representative for everyone all the time
- 6. Managerial Grid • Also known as “leadership grid” • Guided by 5 leadership styles – indifferent or impoverished – county club or accommodating – status-quo or middle of the road – dictatorial or produce, and – sound or team • Based on a manager’s concern for his workers and concern for production • Priority based on managers motivation • Motivation provides fundamental to successful leadership style
- 7. Comparing Trait and Behavioral Theories Trait Theory Behavioral Theory believes people are born to be leaders believes leaders are made not born uses characteristics of past successful and unsuccessful leaders to evaluate success of potential leaders people can learn to be leaders from role playing or play acting process is appealing, but problems arise with proving principals behavior is easier to teach than traits or capabilities approach is often challenged by opposition approach is widely used in leadership training
- 8. Who is the leader?
- 9. Conclusion Throughout the years, since the early part of the 20th Century, qualities of leadership and leadership theories have been studied and evaluated. While early leadership theories focused on what qualities would distinguish between leaders and followers, more recent theories based their models on other variables, such as environmental factors and ability levels. Trait theory seems to be consistent with measuring qualities that distinguish leaders and followers, and behavioral theory is consistent with environmental factors and ability levels. Arguments have been made between these two theories for many years. Are people born to be great leaders or are great leaders the influence of behavior training received from mentors and life experiences?
- 10. References Behavioral theory. (2002-2013). Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/theories/behavioral_ theory.htm Behavioral theories of leadership. (2010-2013). Retrieved from http://www.leadership-central.com/behavioral- theories.html#ixzz2Velj0eHl Theories of leadership. (2013). Retrieved from http://vectorstudy.com/management-topics/theories-of-leadership Trait theory. (2002-2013). Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/theories/trait_theory. htm Trait theory of leadership. (2008-2013). Retrieved from http://www.managementstudyguide.com/trait-theory-of- leadership.htm
Editor's Notes
- Trait theory believes that people are born with inherited traits, some of which are particularly suited for leadership. Trait theory focuses on identifying patterns of behavior within an individual. Supporters of trait theory list leadership qualities and believe that traits or characteristics tend to lead to effective leadership. These traits are considered to be stable or unchanging; people will act the same way over time and across different situations. Psychologists measure these traits by using a variety of measures, including self-report assessments such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) or social desirability scales. Traits also can be measured using observed behaviors. One standard way to measure traits is through the five-factor model of personality, which uses five traits to describe people: extroversion, neuroticism, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Well-known psychologists stress the importance of considering interaction between condition and person as well as the motivation behind his or her behavior.
- According to Changing Minds, behavioral theory assumes that leaders can be made rather than born. “Successful leadership is based in definable, learnable behavior. Behavioral theories of leadership do not seek inborn traits or capabilities; rather they look at what leaders actually do” (Behavioral theory, 2002-2013). Behavioral theory is very different from trait theory. The idea is that leadership capabilities can be learned, rather than something he or she is born with. This unlocks the doors to leadership development. Behavioral theory is fairly easy to develop by modeling leadership success on the actions of the leaders. There are two types of behavioral theories, role theory, and the managerial grid.
- Role Theory provides a model of behavior in specific circumstances. For instance a person may assume the personality and behavior of a person in an actual situation and act as if the situation were real. This is similar to what actors do in television or on stage, often known as “play acting.” This type of behavioral theory was present in sociological literature in the second decade of the 20th Century eventually evolved into behaviorism. Teachers often use role playing to encourage desirable behavior. One central problem with role-playing is the model is only a snapshot of activity performed by an individual and may not be representative for everyone and for all time.
- Managerial Grid, also known as leadership grid, was initially guided by five different leadership styles; indifferent or impoverished, county club or accommodating, status-quo or middle of the road, dictatorial or produce, and sound or team. Each style is based on the relationships between a manager’s concern for its workers and concern for production. The priority often was based on his or her motivations. The motivation element provides the fundamental behind a successful leadership style.
- Trait theory believes that people are born with inherited traits. This theory uses characteristics of many leaders, both successful and unsuccessful to predict the effectiveness of one’s leadership. The list of characteristics is compared to that of a potential leader to evaluate the probability of success or failure. Although the trait theory process is appealing, there may be problems with proving its principles. The approach to this theory is often challenged by opposition.Behavioral theory is the opposite of trait theory, wherein the belief is that successful leaders are made, not born. “If success can be defined in terms of describable actions, then it should be relatively easy for other people to act in the same way. This is easier to teach and learn then to adopt the more ephemeral 'traits' or 'capabilities'” (Behavioral theory, 2002-2013). Behavioral theory believes the one can learn from role playing or play acting.