Trait Approach To Leadership

Trait Approaches

Trait approach can be defined as “The trait approach to leadership attempted to identify stamble and enduring traits that differentiated effective leaders from non-leaders”.

The earliest leadership researchers believed that leaders such as Lincoln, Napoleon, Hitler, and Gandhi had some unique set of qualities, or traits that distinguished them from their peers and were presumed relatively stable and enduring.

Behavioural Approach

Behavioural approach can be defined as “the behavioural approach to leadership tried to identify behaviours that differentiated effective leaders from non-leaders.”

In the late 1940s, some researchers began to shift away from the trait approach and to look at leaderships as an observable process or

Consideration

2. Initiating structure

When engaging in consideration behaviour, the leader is concerned with the subordinates feeling and respects subordinates ideas. The leader- subordinate relationship is characterized by mutual trust, respect and two way communication. And on the other hand initiating structure behaviour the leader clearly the leader- subordinate roles so that subordinates know what is expected from them. The leader establishes channels of communication and determines the methods for accomplishing the group’s task.

9. Nature of groups and group behaviours in an organization

A group can be defined as “people working towards the goals whose work is coordinated by someone else for the team”. (ICBT MBA Hand-outs)

Any number of people interact with one another, and psychologically aware of one another, and perceive themselves to be an group

The characteristics of a group

Command group- it is a relatively permanent, formal group with functional reporting relationship

2. Task group-they are formed for a specific task and are temporary.

Informal groups

An informal group is established by its members. The reasons for this formation are for ordinary interest, growth and support. There are 2 types of informal groups, they are

1. Friendship group-it is relatively permanent and informal and draws its benefits from the social relationships among its members.

2. Interest group-it is relatively temporary and informal and it is organised around a common activity or interest of its members

Group formation

Figure 17

Forming

Team acquaints and establishes ground rules formalities are preserved and members are treated as strangers

Storming

Members start to communicate their feelings but still view themselves as individuals rather than part of the team. They resist control by group leaders and show hostility.

Norming

People feel part of the group and realize that they can achieve work if they accept other view points

Performing

The ream works in an open and trusting atmosphere where flexibility is the key and hierarchy is of little