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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3-page paper discusses trait theory in leadership, showcases its history and determines if, indeed, leaders are born, rather than made. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_MTtraitlea.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
certain genetic traits with which they were born (such as an outgoing personality, and the proper psychological characteristics necessary to lead). Pratch and Jacobiwitz (1997) point out that theres a
definite link between personality and leadership - and that the ability to respond and adapt to ever-changing situations is of prime importance.
But what, exactly, is a leader? Leaders are generally defined as people who can influence group activities in the direction of both setting goals and attaining them (Pratch and Jacobiwitz,
1997). As a result, the leader is charged with ensuring that subordinates are motivated to carry out their tasks, while the larger organizational context in which the leader operates helps
guide the leader in his/her job of motivation (Pratch and Jacobiwitz, 1997). From a historical perspective, the so-called "trait" period that
began at the beginning of the 20th century and lasted until World War II assumed that leaders were somehow different, or better than everyone else (Pratch and Jacobiwitz, 1997).
In the late 1950s, Ralph Stogdill conducted a survey among people in leadership positions, and found that the leader tended to be
a person who "exceeded" other members in his group through intelligence, scholarship, dependability, activity and social participation and socio-economic class (Brown and Cohn, 1958). Interestingly enough, this research also determined
that a leader needed to be flexible, and needed to be able to adapt to various changes in situations (Brown and Cohn, 1958).
But Stogdill also started moving away from the idea that leaders are "born," pointing out that leaders are determined by their interactions among other group members (Brown and Cohn,
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