Page 250 - DCOM102_DMGT101_PRINCIPLES_AND_PRACTICES_OF_MANAGEMENT

Principles and Practices of Management

Notes
Table 13.3: Traits Associated with Effective Leadership

Source: Shelly a Kirpatrick and Edwin A Locke, "Leadership: Do Traits really matter?" Academy of
Management Executive, May 1991 Page 48 - 60.
Persons who are leaders are presumed to display better judgment and engage themselves
in social activities. Study of the lives of successful leaders reveals that they possessed
many of these traits. According to the trait theory, persons who possess the following
traits or personal characteristics could become successful leaders:

(a) Good personality: Physical characteristics and level of maturity determine the
personality of an individual. Good personality is an important factor in determining
the success of a leader.
(b) Intellectual ability: A leader must have a higher level of intelligence than the average
follower. A leader should analyze the situation accurately and take decision
accordingly.
(c) Initiative: A leader should initiate suitable activities at a proper time.
(d) Imagination: A leader should have the ability to imaginatively visualize trends and
device his policies and programmes.
(e) Maturity: A leader should be emotionally mature and have a balanced temperament.
They should also have high frustration tolerance.
(f) Desire to accept responsibility: A leader should be prepared to shoulder the
responsibility for the consequences of any step he takes. In other words, he should
accept full responsibility for his actions.
(g) Self-confidence: A leader should possess self-confidence. Self-confidence is essential
to motivate the followers and boost up their morale.
(h) Flexibility: A leader should be prepared to accommodate others viewpoints and
modify his decisions. He should have an open mind, ready to absorb and adopt new
ideas and views of others.
(i) Fairness and objectivity: A good leader is fair and objective in dealing with subordinates.
Honesty, fairplay, justice and integrity of character are expected of any good leader.

(j) Considerate: A good leader is considerate to the followers as his success as a leader
largely depends on the co-operation of his followers.
Research indicates that a few traits show a weak but consistent link to holding positions of
leadership. People with a high energy level tend to rise to leadership positions. Leadership
potential has been associated with the social trait of dominance and with the motives of
need for achievement and need for power. Leadership has also been widely linked to high
self-esteem. General cognitive ability has one of the strongest links to leadership ability.

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