TRAIT APPROACH

Question 1

Generell

Answer 1

• Great Man Theory 19th century: Focus on characteristics a leader should have (at that time) » there are only few leaders and leadership cannot be learned
• Costa & McCrae 1992: Focus on special personality factors which make a leader

Question 2

5 Traits (Great Man Theory)

Answer 2

1. Self-confidence -> certain about one’s competencies and skills
2. Determination -> desire to get job done, action drive, dominance in hopeless times
3. Integrity -> honesty, trust worthiness, loyal » makes leader believable
4. Sociability -> able to seek out pleasant social relationships, friendly, diplomatic
5. Intelligence -> intellectual ability

Question 3

5 Factors (Costa & McCrae)

Answer 3

1. Neuroticism -> experiences negative effects (fear, anger, guilt) with low sensitivity
2. Extraversion -> social, gives positive energy to others, likes to speak in big groups
3. Openness -> informed, creative, insightful, curious, takes risks
4. Agreeableness -> accepting, trusting, conforming, interpersonal abilities
5. Conscientiousness -> organized, decisive, purposeful, dependable, determined, entrepreneurial characteristic

Question 4

Adaptability of the Trait-Approach

Answer 4

• Directly focused in traits of a leader
• Only leaders who have these 5 traits are succesful (not today’s message)
• The consequenze for organizations is that recruiters only have to look for applicants with these 5 traits

Pros:

• HR can look for tangible things, also leaders can evaluate themselves
• Intuitively appealing
• A century of research backs up this theory

Cons:

• The model only focuses in the leader! (coercive leadership)
• It also fails to delimit a definite list of traits
• Highly subjective determinations (who really fits the criteria?)
• Not useful for training and developement