The Trait Theory Of Leadership
1739 WordsFeb 20, 20167 Pages
The trait theory of leadership supports the claim that some people are endowed with certain characteristics that make them more capable of being a good leader than others (Zaccaro, 2007). Trait theory can be defined as the range of qualities that can consistently differentiate a non-leader from someone who is an effective leader (Zaccaro, 2007). The difference between someone who is a great leader and someone who is a good leader is the possession of certain qualities that help establish strong leadership. One of the greatest leaders known in the sports world is John Wooden, a basketball player, and coach of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins. Wooden led his team to ten national championships, seven of which were in…show more content… These can be further described as qualities that differentiate leaders from non-leaders and include not only, personality attributes, but also motives, values, cognitive abilities, social and problem-solving skills, and expertise (Zaccaro, 2007). The relationship between personality traits and leadership suggest that individuals with certain personality traits emerge as leaders and are more effective because their trait-consistent behaviors contribute to the goals of the group (Colbert, Judge, Choi & Wang 2012). Research supports that successful leaders are not like other people (Kirkpatrick & Locke, 1991). The evidence indicates that there are certain core traits which significantly contribute to a leader’s success (Kirkpatrick et al., 1991). This theory of leadership, in addition to Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, shows how different types of traits can be applied to the field of nursing and can help one become a successful nurse and leader.
Functions of Trait Theory and the Pyramid Of Success Trait theory and Wooden’s Pyramid of Success can both be applied to the nursing field. The pyramid consists of 15 qualities that can lead someone to success, but I believe there are five of them that are essential for good leadership in nursing, which are loyalty,