Use examples to explain how The Trait theorie leadership can

Use examples to explain how The Trait theorie leadership can be used to lead in a work environment or community.

Solution

There are various theories of leadership. Most famous among them are the trait, skills, behavioral, situational and path goal aproaches. Leadership is a complex phenomenon and none theory has been able to explain it fully. It is why various theories came to be developed over time in order to explain what is behind leadership really. Separate theories emphasize on separate features.

The trait theory is one of the earliest theories of leadership. During that time focus was on specifically psychological aspects of leadership and the psychological traits that specifically leaders had. The main underlying assumption is that if others too with such traits can be found then they too could be made into leaders. It also assumes that people inherit certain traits that make them more suitable to be leaders.

Yet, there are certain issues or problems with the trait theory. Firstly, there are people who have leadership traits   but are not leaders. Then there are non leaders that too could have the same traits as the leaders. There are a number of issues that the trait theory has been unable to address successfully.

The underlying assumptions of the behavioural theory are somewhat different than the trait theory. Leaders are not just born but can also be made. People can learn leadership behavior. The emphasis in case of behavioral theory is on behavior rather than leadership.

Successful leadership is based on definable, learnable behaviour rather than specific traits. Successful leadership behavior can be learnt.Successful leadership can also be learnt by emulating behavior. The leaders generally exhibit concern for people as well as concern for production.

Situational leadership lays emphasis on situations that bring out the leaders. Situational theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variable. Different styles of leadership may be more appropriate for certain types of decision-making. Paul Hershey and Ken Blanchard developed the theory of situational leadership.

They demonstrated there are four major types of leadership styles. First is telling where the leaders tell what and how to do. Second is selling. Third is participative style and the fourth is delegating.