Leadership Characteristics

Critically analyse the relationship between traits, motives and effectiveness of leaders.

Leadership is the ability which influences the group of people for the purpose of achieving common goal. Some other researchers stated that leadership is the capacity to replicate the abilities of other people and also empowering them to devise their own systems and procedures. After considering all these facts, simple approach related to leadership is divided into two types that are transactional leadership and transformational leadership.

Whether any person born with some additional qualities which allowed them to lead the team, and what are the personality traits and characteristics that leader must possess?

For the purpose of understanding the relationship between personality traits and success of leader, number of researches has been undertaken. It also helps the individual in understanding the traits of effective leaders. The main focus of this research is on the personal characteristics called as traits. These traits changed as per the position and situation of the individual and organization.

Therefore, good leaders use situational leadership for the purpose of applying their personal traits in any particular environment. This paper analyzes the relationship between traits, motives and effectiveness of leaders. It also provides examples related to the public domain and how these are applied in practice. Subsequently, this paper is concluded with brief conclusion.

Perspective related to trait based leadership- traits and personal characteristics of the manager are considered for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of leadership skills possessed by manager.  These traits and personal characteristics help the observers to understand the leadership behavior and effectiveness of this behavior. Generally, we hear the statement that effective leaders are made from the right stuff, and question arises in the mind is what is the right stuff, and this  right stuff includes various factors such as verbal skills of the person, intelligence, originality, scholarship, knowledge, dependability, popularity, interest in followers, drive, desire to lead, honesty and integrity and job-relevant knowledge, etc.

It must be noted that characteristics associated with leadership are divided into three broad categories that are personality traits, leadership motives, cognitive factors and Intelligence.

In this category observers considered some specific personality traits or competencies which result in effective leadership in different situations. Personality traits of leaders are divided into two categories that are general and task. As per this trait theory, personality traits directly influence the effectiveness and emergence of leader. There are number of evidence which support this theory and various studies are conducted for the purpose of examined the relationship between personality traits and leadership (Cavazotte, Moreno & Hickmann, 2012).

Personality traits

General personality traits include Humility, self-evaluation, trustworthiness, authenticity, extraversion, and assertiveness. On the other hand task related personality traits include Courage, passion for work, emotional intelligence, internal control, etc.

After considering above arguments, it is Important to have clear understanding related to traits, characteristics and behavior of leaders. Traits usually state how leader perceive others individuals to be leader such as if we meet some confident and charismatic person then we considered that person as good leader. Effective leaders must possess cognitive skills, relationship with subordinates, and personality traits and characteristics.

In every theory related to leadership style, situation will play major role and it greatly affect the personality traits also. This can be understood through example which states that politician shows their assertiveness by making their decisions and also how they tolerate their frustration during their bad times, but they does not show any kind of sense of humor. A politician does not show all the personality traits that do not mean that they are not good leader.  In other words, situational leadership is used by good leaders for the purpose of adapting personality traits.

Certain personality traits lend themselves for particular job. There are number of peoples who are effective leaders at their current position because of their personality traits, but they are not effective at other positions. It means when leader apply their behavior at particular situation, then this behavior is considered as personality traits which cannot be hidden. These personality traits are very different from the behavior, and generally they depend on the situation. Leaders usually adjust their personality traits for those people to whom they are leading, but if they are dealing with those peoples for long term then their followers will figure it out. It must be noted that behavioral traits are superficial in nature, and at time of studying good leadership it is necessary that person must understand the traits related to honesty and trust.

Effectiveness of leadership is measured by the achievement of organizational outcomes, and it is considered as direct function related to transformational behavior of leaders and also the indirect function related to differences in individual behavior (Colbert, Judge & Choi, 2012).

Therefore, person must be careful while including new traits in their leadership style, usually in those situations when behavioral traits of person are not consistent with the personality traits.

Generally, effective leaders are different from their motives and needs, especially in those cases when leaders have strong desire to occupy the position of responsibility and access control over others. This desire is characterized on the basis of motive and needs such as Power, drive, and achievement; Tenacity and Resilience. 

Leadership Motives

Power motive is considered when effective leader has strong desire for controlling the resources and use their personalized power for their own interest. Whereas, socialized power motive seeks to achieve organizational goals or vision.

The drive motive describes those leaders who work hard for the purpose of achieving their goals. Drive is the propensity for putting high energy for achieving the goal, and in persistent for applying that energy. Achievement is considered as desire for finding the joy while accomplishing the goals.

The drive motive is considered as the factor of good leadership, and leader must give importance to this factor because it increases the effectiveness of working environment. Leaders get motivation from the need to develop and accomplish their ego. Leader usually enjoys hearing that he or she is a good leader, and it is also considered as the ultimate reward. It is possible to consider and determine the close relationship between accomplishment and recognition. Leader must be motivated to achieve the set task, and they are doing this because of the expected acknowledgement. Leaders work hard for this acknowledgement, and it is generally effective with the down hierarchy but not with up hierarchy. As per the Dubrin and Dalgish’s (2003, pg 42) theory related to leadership motive, another new motive is known as acknowledgement, and it is as effective as drive and achievement motive are.

Tenacity and resilience are considered as motivational characteristics. Tenacity is the trait which is used while implementing new program or making new deal in business. The tenacious leader is resilient in nature, and such leaders are capable of bouncing back the setback through their continuous efforts.

Tenacity is considered as final motive, which means person accomplish the target regardless of obstacles. Generally, successful leaders are tenacious in the work practices. It is necessary to differentiate between the successful leader and good leader. Successful leader behave in tenacious way as they cross all the hurdles in their way, and employ those tactics which do not promote healthy working environment. Successful leader make large profits, but situation is different in good leader who use tenacity up to a degree which promotes healthy working environment. Therefore, while studying the good leadership person must understand the importance of tenacity and its benefit as well with its associated limits and dangers (Owens, 2015).

Steve Jobs was considered as most influential and innovative leaders of his time. Steve was not only the founder of Apple and Pixar, but he leads various organizations towards the success. Steve was known for hard work and intelligence, but he possesses simplicity. There are number of unique characteristics that made Steve Jobs an inspirational leader, and he taught various lessons to an individual for adopting unique leadership style.

Generally, it is a well-known fact that certain amount of confidence was necessary for handling leadership position, and Steve jobs shows how important this is with his own efforts and products. The most important trait which Steve Jobs possessed was confidence, and this is something that Steve gave to his team members also.

One of the most famous stories related to Steve Jobs was when he asked for special type of glass for the front part of the I-phone, and he wanted that glass as soon as possible. His employee told him that it was not possible then Steve simply said, it is possible and you can do it. Steve generates this type of confidence not only in him and in his products, but also in others.

Steve was the leader who was known for the situational leadership, which means his use personal traits as per the situations and circumstances (Achieve iconic, n.d.).

President Barack Obama is the charismatic and transformational leader, and he has ability to attract the other persons towards his side and influence them to accomplish their goals. He uses charismatic approach which is transformational also which change the mind set of people on permanent basis (Tough nickel, n.d.).  

Conclusion:

After considering the above facts it is clear that traits, motives, and effectiveness of leaders are related with each other. Various personal traits contribute to effective leadership, and these traits changed as per the situation or position of individual in which they are practiced. However, it is important to assess the motive theory of leadership for the purpose of making difference between their own motives and also for acknowledging the situation which suits them.

References:

Achieve Iconic. Leadership Qualities Of Steve Jobs. Retrieved on 1^st August 2017 from:

https://achieveiconic.com/leadership/leadership-qualities-of-steve-jobs.

Cavazotte, F. Moreno, V. & Hickmann, M. (2012). Effects of leader intelligence, personality and emotional intelligence on transformational leadership and managerial performance, The leadership Quaterly, Volume 23(3), Pp 443-455.

Colbert, A. judge, T. & Choi, D. (2012). Assessing the trait theory of leadership using self and observer ratings of personality: The mediating role of contributions to group success, The leadership Quaterly, Volume 23(4), Pp 670-685.

Derue, S. D. & Nahrgang, D. J. (2011). Trait and Behavioral Theories Of Leadership: An Integration And Meta-Analytic Test of Their Relative Validity. Personnel Psychology Review, Volume 64, Pp- 7-52.

Dubrin, A, Daglish, C & Miller, P. (2006). Leadership. (2nd ed). Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.

Heyi, S. Na, M. & Dan, G. (2007). The Study on Relationship between the Traits of Leaders and the Performance of the Leaders under Different Organizational Cultures. Canadian Social Science, Volume 3(1).

Musoma, C. Leadership traits, motives and characteristics. Retrieved on 1^st August 2017 from: https://jcc-good-leadership.tripod.com/id10.html.

Owens, M. (2015). 4 Personality Traits That Make You an Effective Leader. Retrieved on 1^st August 2017 from: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/245394.

Tough Nickel. President Barack Obama’s Leadership Styles. Retrieved on 1^st August 2017 from:   https://toughnickel.com/business/Barack-Obamas-Leadership-Styles.