A report on Margaret Thatcher’s leadership style, approaches and personality attributes
Name: Noor Al Abdulla
Student Number: 08434474
Module: Leadership in Context
Table of contents: Page Number
1.0 Introduction 3
2.0 Leadership defined 3
3.0 Margaret Thatcher 3
4.0 Leadership Theories 4
4.1 An illustration of four theories 4
4.2 Trait Theory 4
4.3 Trait Theory Application to Margaret Thatcher 5
4.4 Trait Theory limitations 5
5.0 Personal Attributes 5
5.1 Personal attributes and leadership 6
5.2 Margaret Thatcher’s personal attributes 6
5.3 Traits and accomplishments 6
6.0 Motivation: Brief definition 6
6.1
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While many different leadership theories have emerged, most can be classified as one of eight major types: great man theories, trait theories, contingency theories, situational theories, behavioural theories, participative theories, management theories and relationship theories. However, I found the trait theories are best applied when talking about Margaret Thatcher.
4.1 An illustration of four theories
17 Trait theory
“The trait theory of leadership, generally considered the first modern theory of leadership, became popular during the second half of the twentieth century and, despite scholarly criticism, has continued to be popular. The theory states that certain innate traits are common to leaders. Although the identified traits vary, the most common are intelligence, self confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability.” (Shriberg and Shriberg, 2009) the reason behind choosing this theory to be applied to my chosen leader is that I believe that the abovementioned traits are found in her. Moreover, trait theory remains prevalent today.
4.3 Trait theory application to Margaret Thatcher
The trait theory expects leaders to have certain characteristics or traits. Traits are stable & transferable across situations. Traits are clearly identifiable & measurable prediction. Traits such as: intelligence, dominance, self-confident, energetic, task-related knowledge. According to one of her biographies “Margaret
Over the past couple of months, we discussed several traits, skills, and behaviors that have contributed to the success of both past and present leaders. Intelligence, integrity, charisma, and confidence are some of the traits that characterize many of these leaders. Interpersonal skills, oratory skills, and conceptual skills are some of the more important skills that helped to shape their leadership style. Some of these skills go hand in hand with the traits that are essential for strong leadership. Meanwhile, the behaviors that drive these leaders include inspiring and motivating others, collaboration, having a strategic perspective and trust. Combined, these traits, skills and behaviors make for effective leadership.
Leadership Abilities can have many characteristics and meanings to a person. I took the time to look at characteristics and success of a leader to choose just one of the many leaders to discuss. Some of the characteristics that are involved in leadership is “Responsibility, Learners, share victory, Set an Example, aren’t afraid to make mistakes, push people upward, peacemakers, adapt their thinking, sense of humor, work hard, confident, promote unity, action-oriented, do the right thing, integrity, encourage, persevere, and courageous” (James River Church, 2017). One Leader that shows these characteristics is Mother Teresa.
The Trait Theory is based on the innate characteristics that a leader should have in order to lead successfully. For example, sense of humor, caring, and friendly. People in the Trait Theory have to show certain qualities when they communicate and these qualities have to remain constant in different environments.
As was mentioned earlier, the trait theory contains highly subjective perspectives. It means that the perception of leadership traits is associated with the assessment of leadership. Barry et al (2003) conducted an
A leader I admire, whether real-life or fictional character from the television, the movies or a book, will be identified. Leadership theories will be used to evaluate my selected leader to determine what characteristics and leadership abilities helped this leader become successful. I will also include an evaluation of my own leadership style and identify what my individual leadership characteristics are. The plan will be developed to improve my leadership style based upon the findings of my chosen leader’s leadership style compared to my own.
The Trait approach in leadership focuses exclusively on the leader, not on the followers or the situation (Northouse 2016, p 29). There are five major traits (intelligence, self-confidence,
Leaders are made up by traits, skills behavior and effectiveness, which are determined by distinguishing personal characteristics of a leader, such as intelligence, honesty, self-confidence, and appearance. However, the value of a particular trait or set or traits, skill behavior and effectiveness vary with the organization’s situation (Draft, 2015). For example, our executive leaders of Humana have their own unique style.
Moreover, the trait approach gives a deeper understanding of the leader element in the leadership process by emphasising exclusively on the leader, (Gore et al, 2011). The trait theory does not offer hypotheses about the role of situational variance or characteristic of the followers. Instead, this approach provide information about leaders, and about which traits cause which behaviours and that certain set of traits are central to the leadership process and play an indispensible part of effective leadership.
Leadership theories are attempts to answer some of the question people have about leadership. These theories range from simple “armchair philosophies” about the personal characteristics and effect relationship between leaders and followers and situations.
Trait theories assume all leaders share a number of common traits. This theory identifies traits or characteristics that are essential when being a leader. Traits like assertiveness, good decision making, empathy, integrity, and confidence are some examples of traits of successful leaders; however, there is no magic combination of traits that will guarantee someone to be a successful leader. Traits are based on our inner thoughts and beliefs. Many different studies about leadership traits agree only in the general righteous qualities needed to be a leader. Those traits are known as core traits. The core traits include
The Trait Approach was the 1st systematic attempt to study leadership. In the 20th century it was known as the “great man” theory. This approach takes a look at the leaders personal attributes such as but not limited to: motivation, energy, intuition, creativity, persuasiveness and foresight. Some of the traits that are essential to this list include: intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity and sociability. Thus it focuses mainly on the leader and not on the followers or situations. The strengths of the Trait Approach includes: 1) it is intuitively appealing, 2) it has research to back it’s theory, 3) it highlights the leader, 4) it identifies what the traits of a leader should have and whether the traits we do
Trait leadership theory suggests that all leaders are born with or display certain key personality characteristics. Certain characteristics are particularly suited to leadership. People who make good leaders have a sufficient combination of these character traits. Most of the time the traits are considered to be naturally part of a person’s personality. Hence, leadership trait theory tends to assume that people are born as leaders or not as leaders. However, according to Shead (2007), the idea that leadership traits are inborn and unchangeable appears to be incorrect. He posits that it is true that many of our dispositions and tendencies are influenced by our personalities, but most people will acknowledge that it is possible for someone to change their character traits for the worse. Someone typically known for being honest can learn to be deceitful. Stogdill (1974) identified the following traits and skills as critical to leaders.
If we focus on the idea that people can poses different personality and characteristics can be linked to successful leadership across various situation this would be defined as the trait theory of leadership. Some researcher believe that the ability to lead was something that a person was born with and not something that could be developed or learn. Many people still believe that leaders just have an intuition that makes them good at making decision and developing
The Trait theory is based on the innate characteristics that a leader should have in order to lead successfully. For example, sense of humor, caring, and friendly. People in the Trait Theory has to show certain qualities when they communicate and these qualities have to remain constant in different environments.
There is no consensus that has been reached regarding this controversy, but many theories are centered on it. Chronologically, popular leadership theories include the great man theory, trait theory, behavioral theories, role theory, participative leadership, situational leadership, contingency theories, transactional leadership, and transformational leadership. Each of these theories presents a unique perspective of what comprises leadership. The main focus of this research paper is, however, the trait theory (Bass & Stogdill, 1990).