Discussion question responses

Are leaders born or made?  Traits can be thought of as genetic.  We are born with traits such as our physical attributes, self-confidence, intelligence, personality, and some traits that make an effective leader comprise integrity and determination (Measom, 2018).  Behavior theories suggest that leaders learn to become good leaders.  Leaders can be trained and can develop the traits of a good leader (Johnson, 2018).

            Derue et al., (2011) suggest that leadership traits and behaviors should be integrated.  Both traits and behaviors have been researched many times and both have been considered as predictors of leadership effectiveness.  “Despite the theoretical and applied value of these studies, leadership research is plagued by a lack of integration” (Derue et al., 2011).  They basically say in their study that leader traits and leader behaviors both lead to leadership effectiveness.  

            Successful leaders often have social power and influence in their organizations.  Power leaders socialize-that is they tend to cooperate and work with employees more so than dominating them (Zigarmi, Roberts, & Randolph, 2017).  French and Raven (1959) describe social power as having five different forms.  They are Coercive powers-punishment for failure, Reward powers-promise of money or some other form of compensation, Legitimate powers-the employees perception that the leader has the authority and right to lead, Expert powers-employees have the perception that the leader has the superior knowledge, and Referent powers-the employees identification of their own self-identity that is enhanced through their relationship with the leader (Zigarmi, Roberts, & Randolph, 2017). 

            The successful leader depends on their traits as well as their behaviors to be effective in an organization.  Using both gives them the power and influence to handle conflict and decision making.  Power equals control.  How the leader uses their control over employees can enhance their power within the organization.

Derue, D. S., Nahrgang, J. D., Wellman, N., & Humphrey, S. E. (2011). Trait and behavioral theories - of leadership: An integration and :meta‐analytic test of their relative validity. Personnel Psychology, 64(1), 7-52.  doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570.2010.01201.x