Throughout the years I have been rather quiet and had a shy temperament, and throughout the years I never understood why I could not earn leadership roles on my soccer team, in clubs, and within group projects. Finally, when frustrated about my inability to gain leadership positions I had a friend say, “Maybe you weren’t born to be a leader”. As we learned within our first lesson, this friend probably had a trait perspective towards leadership (Northouse, 2016, p. 7). However, it does pose some questions, how is someone born a leader, and can you become one?
According to the trait approach, a set of personality traits is what separated the leaders from the followers. According to our lesson reading “The Great Man Theory”, the trait approach studied the traits of individuals to determine what traits were attributed to good leadership (Williams, para. 1). Many of the traits listed are things like honesty, confidence, and willingness to try new things (Williams, para. 2-3). This concept seems very appealing because it makes the concept of leadership and what makes a leader more straightforward. It also helps to identify what traits are necessary if we want to become leaders (Northouse, 2016, p. 30). However, there are some cons or criticisms of this concept. First and foremost, there are many different lists of traits that can be found and the trait lists are overall ambiguous (Northouse, 2016, p. 30-31). It also fails to consider different aspects or situations within leadership roles as well as disregarding leadership outcomes so it is overall too broad or widespread (Northouse, 2016, p. 31). Lastly, within “The Great Man Theory” it is noted that the traits or a leader and a follower do not vary (Williams, para. 5).
For my situation this information can be seen as a positive thing as it gives hope to the idea that leaders can be created. If leaders and followers do not necessarily differ from one another, than it can be said that a follower may become a leader if given the right circumstances. From my own personal experience, I can confirm that this is true. After several years I finally gained more leadership roles as a Resident Assistant, a First Year Mentor, and an Orientation Leader. I found that while I still had most of the same personality traits, that by becoming less shy and more willing to try knew things I was put in more situations where I was given the opportunity to become a leader. Based on this experience I have to wonder if we should be focusing on the traits that make a follower rather than the traits that make a leader, or at least how the change in some traits can make someone become more suitable to be a leader.
While the trait approach may overall be negated by the criticisms towards the approach, I feel that there is some truth to the idea. A leader has to be willing to do what other individuals don’t want to do, they have to be willing to stand up and as simple as it sounds, lead. However, they also need the confidence to lead. In my opinion these may be the two most important traits to become a leader. You have to be willing to lead but have the confidence to lead because if you have one without the other, you won’t even successfully attempt to lead.
Tristan T Dickey says
As you had had stated in your conclusion “a leader has to be willing to do what other individuals don’t want to do, they have to be willing to stand up and as simple as it sounds, lead.” The most understated thing about leadership is that exactly. I wouldn’t let your shy traits hinder you from accomplishing anything now. “According to our lesson reading “The Great Man Theory”, the trait approach studied the traits of individuals to determine what traits were attributed to good leadership (Williams, para. 1). Many of the traits listed are things like honesty, confidence, and willingness to try new things (Williams, para. 2-3).” You talk about all the traits noted in these theories so use them! Find these traits within yourself and lead to your potential. Yes it’ll be work but to get where your going you’ll have to master it.