The trait approach is primarily used for personal awareness and self-development. (Northouse, 2016) As we have learned time and time again, there are certain personality traits that individuals have that are more likely to play a role in an individual’s failure when seeking a position such as a leadership role. “Some research suggests that as many as 30-50% of managers and leaders fail” (Pennsylvania State World Campus, 2016) A study in the 1980s found that there are five trait groups that effectively disqualify individuals for successful leadership. (Pennsylvania State University, 2016) These traits groups are Inability to build relationships, Failure to meet business objectives, Inability to lead and build a team, Inability to adapt and Inadequate preparation for promotion.
“Inability to build relationships: These leaders are insensitive to the needs of their followers and are overly competitive and demanding. They are very arrogant and embrace the “my way or the highway” school of management.
Failure to meet business objectives: These leaders handle setbacks ineffectively. They engage in finger-pointing and blame others for the downturn. They are untrustworthy, tend to get distracted and lose focus.
Inability to lead and build a team: These leaders do not build strong teams. They either hire members that are just like themselves, or hire staff less capable than they are. Others micromanage their staffs, even when not expert themselves in the tasks.
Inability to adapt: These leaders cannot adapt to new bosses, businesses, cultures, or structures. Some leaders cannot adjust their styles to changing followers and situations. When solving problems, they often implement past solutions that are no longer viable.
Inadequate preparation for promotion: These leaders have narrow technical backgrounds and lack the leadership breadth and depth necessary for their new positions.” (Pennsylvania State University, 2016)
The most important yet difficult thing to remember about individuals who fail to become leaders is that they typically don’t understand and/or are not aware of why they are failing or how they have failed. According to Northouse (2016) there are 5 major leadership traits – Intelligence, Self-confidence, Determination, Integrity and Sociability. Many individuals consider themselves leaders, however, more often than not, they fit into the categories that fail them more than the ones that allow them to succeed. Finally, it is important for individuals to remember that just because they have failed once does not mean that they will never have the opportunity to succeed in such a position again. Many people believe that leadership comes naturally, which to a certain extent it does, however, it can also be a learned position with proper ambition and attention. Then again, there are some people who just shouldn’t be leaders. (Myatt, 2013)
For many, many years, I worked in retail management. There were managers over the years that were clearly leaders and who left the store, moving on to bigger and better things, however, there were some, who barely made it (successfully) as a manager and do not in fact have any leadership traits at all and have only ever fit into the failed trait categories including inability to build relationships, failure to meet business objectives, inability to adapt to change as well as inadequate preparation for promotion. Most of these individuals saw greatness in themselves however others did not see that which is why they were not successful in promotion and/or are still stuck in the same position that they have been in for years.
Works Cited:
Pennsylvania State University. PSYCH 485 – Leadership. https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1803831/modules 2016.
Northouse, Peter G. Leadership: Theory and Practice – 7th edition. Chapter 2 – Trait Approach. SAGE Publications. 2016.
Myatt, Mike. Why You’re Not a Leader. Forbes.com http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2013/01/23/why-youre-not-a-leader/#7443800d5a4e 2013.