Helen Eckmann's Theory Of The Great Man Theory

The Great Man Theory

One of the early century ideas of leadership, which is still favoured in certain groups/circles of today, is that leadership is a natural characteristic that one are born with.

This is the Great Man Theory which claim that general and great leaders in particular are born and not made. (Helen L. Eckmann, N.d).According to the theory, leadership consist of certain qualities like charm, authoritative, reliable instinct, judgment, courageous, intelligence and action orientation which cannot be learnt or taught. (Helen L. Eckmann, N.d).

One either has the trait or not. It is said that these leadership qualities run in the family (genes) (Anon, N.d).. In other words, you are born with it, or carried from generation-to-generation.

One can say that there was something in their physiology, anatomy, and personality which made them “unique” compared to the average citizen.

Implications of the Great Man Theory (saying leaders are born and not made)

Leaders are seen as gifts of God to the human race. A part of divinity is assigned to leaders and their actions. (Helen L. Eckmann, N.d). The theory ignore the belief that someone can be trained for roles and leadership positions. Leadership characteristics cannot be addressed through exposure and education. (Helen L. Eckmann, N.d).

Critique of the

Zaccaro, he says that “leader traits can be defined as relatively coherent and integrated patterns of personal characteristics, reflecting a range of individual differences, that foster consistent leadership effectiveness across a variety of group and organizational situations. I believe that a con of this theory is that the theory only focuses on the traits when it should also consider how the traits are implemented and work together to influence performance. Another con is that it should also include internal and external factors that shape a person such as values and social skills…”(Monique Padilla,