Trait Theory

The trait theory of leadership is based on the concept that different people possess different traits at the time of their birth. These traits are further associated with the effective leadership style of these people. The five major traits which are associated with the trait theory include, honesty, inspiration, competency, forward-looking and intelligence. The three major leadership traits that I possess include, honesty, intelligence and forward-looking (Leadership Theories., 2013). For example, when I had faced a dilemma based on managing the team which was operating under me, I was able to solve the different issues which were faced by the team. The three traits which I have possessed like, intelligence, honesty and forward-looking approach have been helpful in solving the issues of my team in an effective manner. Honesty has helped me in being transparent with the teammates, intelligence has helped in developing the solutions and forward-looking approach for taking effective leadership approach (Margida, 2016).

One important trait which is a not a part of the trait theory and I am able to depict the same is collaborative nature. I have been able to collaborate with my team members in an effective manner in order to face different situations which occur in the work process. This collaborative nature has been quite helpful for me to increase the innovative approach towards any situation which has taken place in my organization (Spector, 2014).

According to the analysis, the traits that I possess which include, honesty, forward-looking approach and intelligence have been helpful for me to develop effective leadership. These qualities will be further helpful for me in the future as well in order to manage the teams which will operate under me. The traits will thereby be highly useful for me in order to manage the different issues which can be faced by my team and the organization (Hannah, Sumanth, Lester & Cavarretta, 2014).

Transformational leadership is considered to be theory based on leadership according to which a leader is able to work with the teams in order to identify changes that are needed. The leaders are able to create a vision in order to guide the changes with the help of effective levels of inspiration and execution of the changes as well (Wilson, Cosgrove, Baran, & Barratt, 2017).

Situation leadership based theory or model of situational leadership is a model that has been suggested by Ken Blanchard and Paul Hershey. This theory was established with the name of “life cycle theory of leadership”. The main point of situational leadership is based on the best style which will be effective for the task or the situation.

Identifying Three Leadership Traits from the Trait Theory

Servant leadership based theory is a traditional style which is related to the exercise of power on an individual basis from the top of the pyramid. The servant leaders are able to share the power and further place the needs of employees at the topmost priority (Parry & Meindl, 2002).

The most effective of three leadership styles which have been discussed earlier is the transformational style. This style of leadership is mainly based on the ways by which the leader is able to share his vision with others within the organization. Transformational leaders are able to inspire others and take risk in different situations as well. This proves to be helpful in different organizational processes and decision making situations as well (Gardner, Avolio & Walumbwa, 2005).

My boss under whom I had worked in my previous organization had depicted the transformational leadership style and had shared his vision of expanding the operations with us. We had taken part in the expansion process in an active manner and had also helped in making it successful.

A major example of a leader who had used power in a harmful manner is Martin Winterkorm who is the CEO of Volkswagen. The leader had used the power in the illegal and unethical installation of the software which had failed to report the emissions of vehicles.

Another example of a leader who have used the power in an effective manner is Howard Schultz who is the CEO of Starbucks. The CEO had been able to take the organization on a whole new level with the help of his effective leadership style.

The leadership style which is the most suitable for the new employee based on Hershey Blanchard model is coaching. This process will be effective for the leader to complete the tasks effectively. I will be able to train the new employee so that he is able to complete the tasks that have been assigned to him. The levels of readiness of the new employee can be named as R2, where the level of motivation is high and capability is low (Khorakian & Sharifirad, 2018).

The leadership style which can be used for the important project and providing responsibility to different employees who are competent in nature is achievement-oriented. The team is highly competent and capable as well. However, the lack of motivation is a major reason behind the lack of progress in the project. I will provide challenging goals to the employees and the achievement of short term goals will further ensure the completion of the project (Hickman, 2010).

Identification of One Trait which does not belong to Trait Theory

According to the Path Goal Model of leadership the supportive style of leadership will be most effective for me to make the employee complete the new project. I have been able to analyse that the employee is creative in nature and is able to make effective judgements as well. This will be able to play a major role in the ways by which she will complete the new task that I am thinking of assigning to her. The ability which the employee possesses of completing the tasks effectively will be enhanced further with the help of supportive leadership (Rahn, Jim, Barbara, & Stone 2010).

The leadership style which I will follow in order to motivate the employee is supporting style. The employee in this case is competent, however is not committed towards the work. I will therefore participate in the work process and help him to improve his work process as well. The level of readiness in which the employee is standing at this point of time is high capability and low motivation which is R3 (Rahn, Jim, Barbara, & Stone 2010).

The leadership style that I will follow in order to manage the team in which the members are highly competent is delegating style. My supervision based level will be at lowest level and the results that will be achieved will also be high. I will delegate the tasks to these employees according to their capability and levels of competency (Hickman, 2010).

According to the analysis which has been made in the discussion earlier has been able to prove that the leadership style which will be most suitable for me in the future is transformational style. The three major traits which have been analysed in the discussion including, honesty, intelligence and forward-looking approach are important for the future leadership approach which will be depicted by me. The major values that are a part of the leadership style that will be depicted by me in the future will be based on the inspiration that I will provide to the others within the organization. The traits which have been analysed in the discussion earlier will also play a major role in leadership qualities developed by me. The theory based on transformational leadership and vision which can be shared by me with others in the organization will be important for me in the future.

The learning based on the analysis that has been made in the discussion above has been able to develop the leadership qualities which can be helpful for me in the future. The traits play a major role in the ways by which the leadership based style can be developed in the future. The major learning has been gained by me based on transformational style of leadership and different personality based traits as well. The traits have thereby proved to be most important for the ways by which leaders are able to develop relationships with the others in the organization. The core values of leadership are also based on the ways by which I can become an effective manager or leader. My professional life will also be affected in a huge manner by the leadership style that I will be able to develop in the future. The proper analysis of personality traits that are developed by me and the leadership style is important for managing the others in the organization effectively. The most effective style of leadership which has can be helpful for me in the future has been transformational style.

References

Gardner, W., Avolio, B., & Walumbwa, F. (2005). Authentic Leadership Theory and Practice Origins, Effects and Development.

Hannah, S., Sumanth, J., Lester, P., & Cavarretta, F. (2014). Debunking the false dichotomy of leadership idealism and pragmatism: Critical evaluation and support of newer genre leadership theories. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 35(5), 598-621.

Hickman, G. (2010). Leading Change in Multiple Contexts Concepts and Practices in Organizational, Community, Political, Social, and Global Change Settings.

Khorakian, A., & Sharifirad, M. (2018). Integrating Implicit Leadership Theories, Leader–Member Exchange, Self-Efficacy, and Attachment Theory to Predict Job Performance. Psychological Reports, 33294118773400.

Leadership Theories. (2013). The AMA Dictionary of Business and Management.

Margida, A. (2016). Leadership theories. Smart Business Akron/Canton, 26(6), 9.

Parry, K., & Meindl, J. (2002). Grounding Leadership Theory and Research Issues, Perspectives and Methods.

Rahn, D., Jawahar, Jim, Dastoor, Barbara, & Stone, Thomas. (2010). The Role of Follower Self-concept and Implicit Leadership Theories in Transformational Leadership and Leader-member Exchange, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

Spector, P. (2014). Introduction: The problems and promise of contemporary leadership theories. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 35(5), 597.

Wilson, A., Cosgrove, Preston, Baran, Mette, & Barratt, Ruth. (2017). Measuring the Impact of Implicit Leadership Theories on Leadership Efficacy and Developmental Readiness, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.