The Transformational Leadership Model Of A Business Environment

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,

This approach emphasize that having a leader with a certain set of traits is crucial to having effective leadership. It’s the leader and the leader’s personality that are central to the leadership process.

As a growing debate, the question at hand is whether great leaders are born with specific leadership traits, or if one can be taught certain traits over time. According to (Wikipedia.com) the approach of listing leadership qualities, often termed "trait theory of leadership", assumes certain traits or characteristics will tend to lead to effective leadership. I believe that leadership traits such as honest, competent, initiative, inspiring, hardworking, intelligent, and the ability to lead the masses, are some of the leadership traits one should possess. Within this paper, I will examine the overall concept of leadership traits, while observing the traits that were, or can be associated with successful leaders.

In modern day business, leadership has become an issue that is given far more attention and investment than ever before. Leadership involves establishing a clear vision, sharing that vision with others so that they will follow willingly, providing the information, knowledge and methods to realise that vision, and coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members and stakeholder. This essay will discuss whether leaders are born not made, with varies of theories being compared and contrasted and the strengths and limitations of leaders itself. Further this essay will analyse the future aspects of theories which would establish whether a leader was born with leadership qualities or made into a successful leader.

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).

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

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 foundation of my leadership style stems from the trait approach. After a revival of its original intentions, the trait approach can now be summarized as a leadership approach that focuses directly on the leader’s traits that prove critical to the way they lead (Northouse, 40). Trait leadership is known to set leaders and the idea of leadership apart from the group. Trait leadership has lots of research to back up its claims (Northouse, 41). Trait approach leaders, often times take quizzes and assessments to pinpoint what leadership characteristics they have most developed. After taking such assessments, I can conclude that my confidence, my enthusiasm, and my dedication and perseverance to complete a task are traits most central to my personal leadership. If I am not satisfied with the results or I feel I have not fully met my personal expectations, I stay dedicated until I have met them. Additionally, when leading a group of people, or put in front of a crowd, I feel

The biggest empire in the world was built during the late 11th. It was started by someone who were nothing and subsequently become someone who world would not forget. He is Genghis Khan, one of the greatest leaders in the world. Besides him, there are many famous leaders in the world who has contributed and influenced in many aspects of life. Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Napoleon, Adolf Hitler or our own father are maybe people whom we considered as a great leader.

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.

“An Empirical Investigation of the Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Work Environment” (Wilson, 2013), is a research study that seeks to understand the relationship between transformational leadership and work environment in East Africa. This paper will look at the Wilson (2013), research problems, research questions, types of study, data collection procedures, data analysis and the results of the study. This paper will also explain the logic that Wilson (2013) used to study and resolve the problem, as well as look at whether or not the study appears to be a cohesive whole with the component parts interrelated. Finally, this paper will discuss whether or not the author was successful in solving the problem(s), and what problem(s) remains in the study that could require further scholarly investigation.

“The trait approach was one of the first systematic attempts to study leadership” (Virkus, 2009). Interestingly, trait approach is focusing on the personal trait of leaders, for example: characteristics, motives, values and so on. In this theory, leadership will be viewed from the perspective of the individual leader. “The leadership trait is considered to be the enduring characteristic that people are born with

This theory is based on the premise that there are certain personality characteristics that are essential for a person to possess in order to be a leader. The main emphasis is on what the person is in terms of a constellation of personality traits. This theory searches for that set of universal leadership traits that will assure success. Numerous traits have been suggested: courage, integrity, loyalty, charisma, ambition, intelligence, honesty, clairvoyance, persistence, arrogance, health, political skill, confidence and vision.

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, an English businessman and investor, is best known as the founder of Virgin Group. Branson is a high school dropout turned billionaire. The Virgin brand really started to take off in the 1980’s when he started Virgin Atlantic, which then grew to Virgin Records. Forbes listed Branson at an estimated new worth of $5 billion (Forbes.com, 2015). Virgin has grown into different sectors ranging from music to travel. There is currently more than 100 different Virgin companies across the world. The company has roughly 60,000 employees in over 50 different countries.

Research on management and leadership in organizations over the past century shows there are still no clear definitions or answers about what counts as effective and successful leadership; the field remains varied and argued. Actual studies of leadership began in the early twentieth century. The research and studies on leadership have resulted in defining what characters, traits and attitudes are considered to be significant for leaders to possess. The early studies of leadership theories focused on the person and their behaviors, currently known as leadership trait theories and behavioral theories. It is important for organizational leaders and managers to understand what characteristics, traits and actions of an individual mark a great leader when forming a strong diverse workforce.