BHU LS 600 Chapter 2

© 2015 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Chapter 2:Chapter 2:Recognizing Your TraitsRecognizing Your Traits


Chapter Objectives

1. Understand the six key leadership traits.2. Reviewing traits and characteristics of

famous leaders.


• Why are some people leaders while others are not?

• What makes people become leaders?

• Do leaders have certain traits?

Discussion Questions


• Studies on leadership identified many important leader traits.o What specific traits are needed to be a successful

leader?• Research points to six traits:

o Intelligenceo Confidenceo Charismao Determinationo Sociability o Integrity

Leadership Traits Explained


• Intelligence includes having good language skills, perceptual skills, & reasoning ability.

• It is hard to change Intelligence Quotient (IQ).

• It is possible to:o obtain knowledge o learn about your job & environment o use information to become better leaders

Intelligence


• Confidence is a trait that has to do with feeling positive about one’s self & one’s ability to succeed.

• Confident people: o feel self-assured o believe they can accomplish goalso do not second-guess themselves—they move

forward with clear visionso they are positive about self & ability

Confidence


• How do we build confidence?

o Understanding what is required from us

o Have a mentor to show the way & provide constructive feedback

o Practice builds confidence & assures us that we can do what we need to do (e.g., Tiger Woods)

Confidence


• Magnetic charm and appeal that gives leaders exceptional powers of influence

• Charisma is not a common personality trait.

• To increase charisma:o Be a strong role model for valueso Be competent in leadership to gain trusto Articulate clear goals & strong valueso Communicate high expectations & show confidence in

followers’ abilitieso Inspire others

• Ex.: J. F. Kennedy, Gandhi, M. L. King Jr.

Charisma


• Focused & attentive to tasks

• Know where to go & how to get there

• Includes initiative, persistence, & drive

• Persevere in the face of obstacles

• Easiest for leaders to acquire

• Focus on task, clarify goals, articulate vision, & encourage others to stay the course

• Ex.: marathon runners, Nelson Mandela

Determination


• The capacity to establish pleasant social relationships

• Friendly, outgoing, courteous, & diplomatic

• Sensitive to others & cooperative

• Easier for some than others• Increasing sociability requires that we try to get

along with our coworkerso be friendly, kind, & thoughtful

• Ex.: Anne Fox in leadership class

Sociability


• Honest & trustworthy with strong principles

• Inspire confidence because it creates trust

• Loyal, dependable, & not deceptive

• Undergirds all aspects of leadership

• To increase integrity—be honest & open

• Challenge: o To strike a balance between being open while

monitoring what is appropriate to disclose

• Ex.: Former President Bill Clinton

Integrity


• George Washington• Winston Churchill• Mother Teresa• Bill Gates• Oprah Winfrey• Nelson Mandela

Historical Leaders


• Founding father and general in the Revolutionary War

• Traits:o Modesto Moralo Common mano Did not thrive on powero Provided stability & reasono Even & predictableo Was “great” because he was “good”

George Washington(1732–1799)


• Prime Minister of Great Britain

• Traits:o Brilliant orator—masterful use of language, plain

speaking

o Ambitious for others & the country

o Inspirational & hope-building

o A self-trained reader

o Suffered from depression—a loner

Winston Churchill(1874–1965)


• Humanitarian & Nobel Peace Prize Winner (1979) for her work with the poor in Calcutta

• Founded Missionaries of Charity in 1950

• Traits:o Simpleo Clear mission—focused on goalso Determined & fearlesso Humble & spiritualo Strong-willedo Role model for others

Mother Teresa(1910–1997)


• Founder of Microsoft & wealthiest person in the world

• Created a foundation for education & global health

• Traits:o Intelligent & visionaryo Task-oriented & diligento Focused & aggressiveo Simple, straightforward, unpretentious, & altruistic

William (Bill) Gates(1954– Present )


• TV show host, philanthropist, actress, producer, & publisher

• Most powerful/influential woman• Traits:

o Excellent communicatoro Intelligent, well-read, strong business senseo Charismatic styleo Sincere & determinedo Self-disclosingo Message of hope

Oprah Winfrey(1954– Present )


• First black president of South Africa & 1993 Nobel Peace Prize Winner for his role in ending apartheid

• Traits:o Self-reflective & deeply moralo Vision unwavering—fairness & justiceo Steadfast, focused, & disciplinedo Nonviolent & not vindictiveo Consensus buildero Courageous, patient, humble, & compassionate

Nelson Mandela(1932– 2013)


• Visionary• Strong-willed• Diligent• Inspirational• Purpose-driven• Role models• Symbols of hope• From these exceptional leaders we can gain a better

understanding of the traits that are important for effective leadership.

What do they all have in common?


Case Study: An Emerging Leader• What is your reaction to Tim’s story?• From your perspective, which has the

greatest impact on Tim’s leadership journey—nature or nurture?

• Of the six major leadership traits, which are Tim’s strongest and weakest?

• What characteristics of Tim’s leadership would you like to incorporate into your own style of leadership?


• Traits are important o but only one dimension of a

multidimensional process

• Leadership is a complex processo no simple paths or guarantees to

becoming an effective leader

Summary

Economy & Finance

BHU LS 600 Chapter 2