This document summarizes the trait theory of leadership, which proposes that great leaders are born with certain innate personality, social, physical, or intellectual traits that differentiate them from non-leaders. Some key traits identified include achievement drive, leadership motivation, honesty and integrity, self-confidence, cognitive ability, business knowledge, and emotional maturity. However, the trait theory has limitations as it fails to consider situational factors or the needs of followers. It also does not clarify the relative importance of different traits or disentangle cause and effect relationships.

1. Leadership
Trait Theory Of Leadership
Prepared By :
Wardah AK

2. What is leadership ?
The ability to influence a group
towards the achievement of a
vision or set of goals.
All Leaders are not Managers
All Managers are not Leaders

3. Trait theory of leadership
Theories that consider personality, social, physical or intellectual
traits to differentiate leaders from nonleaders.
Great leaders are born, not made.

4. Among the core traits identified are
● Achievement drive: High level of effort, high levels of
ambition, energy and initiative
● Leadership motivation: an intense desire to lead others
to reach shared goals
● Honesty and integrity: trustworthy, reliable, and open
● Self-confidence: Belief in one’s self, ideas, and ability

5. ● Cognitive ability: Capable of exercising good judgment,
strong analytical abilities, and conceptually skilled
● Knowledge of business: Knowledge of industry and
other technical matters
● Emotional Maturity: well adjusted, does not suffer from
severe psychological disorders.
● Others: charisma, creativity and flexibility

6. Why its not more successful in explaining
leadership ?
● It overlooks the need of followers
● It generally fails to clarify the relative
importance of various traits
● It doesn’t separate cause from effect
● It ignores situational factors

7. Implications
❖ It can be applied by people at all levels in all types of organizations.
❖ Employees can utilize the information from the theory to evaluate
their position in the organization and to assess how their position
can be made stronger in the organization.
❖ Employees can get an in-depth understanding of their identity and
the way they will affect others in the organization.
❖ This theory makes the Employees aware of their strengths and
weaknesses and thus they get an understanding of how they can
develop their leadership qualities.

8. Thank You !