Target

Leadership Trait Theory

For well over 100 years researchers have been studying what makes great leaders (Arvey, et al., 2006). As Mirvis and Gunning (2006) point out, “What comes to mind when you hear the word leadership? Most often the image is of the heroic individual, often charismatic, whose positional power, intellectual strength, and persuasive gifts motivate followers” (p. 70). One of the first systematic studies in leadership was built around the idea of what has since been termed trait theory (Northouse, 2007; Smith and Canger, 2004). This theory is based on the premise that people are born with certain characteristics, such as personality traits, and therefore some are more likely to become leaders than others. This paper presents a review of literature concerning trait theory and discussion of the issues surrounding it.

Great Man Theory

The Trait Theory of leadership originated with the Great Man Theory of history. As Kirkpatrick and Locke (1991) explain, “In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the ‘great man’ leadership theories were highly popular. These theories asserted that leadership qualities were inherited, especially by people of the upper class. Great men were, born, not made (virtually all business leaders were men)” (p. 48). Furthermore, Yoosuf posits, “According to the Great Man theory of history, the fate of societies, and organizations, is in the hands of key, powerful, idiosyncratic individuals, who by force of personality reach positions of influence from which they can direct and dominate the lives of others” (p. 149). Clawson (1999) states the following about the “Great Man Theory” of leadership:

“Leaders are born, not made. Leadership ability arises from innate, internal traits. Some have them and some don’t. It is our job to figure out what these characteristics are so we can use them to identify potential leaders. No amount of training or coaching will make a leader out of someone who does not possess these traits” (p. 1).

Clawson goes on to list traits thought be common to great