What type of traits define a leader?
When I think of a leader I think of someone who is determined, sociable, agreeable, extroverted, and conscientious.
I did a little research on the internet about leadership traits after reading chapter two in Leadership by Peter Northouse. Surprisingly, the textbook and the internet have some very different views on leadership traits.
Peter Northouse describes leadership traits by using the “Big Five Personality Factors,” Stogdill’s survey on traits identifiable to leadership, and other research done that includes the traits of intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability (Northouse, 2013). All of Northous’s ideas that he mentions in the book are valid and they do make sense. But if you google “personality traits” you may find some different information.
Entrepreneur.com has a paged named “5 Key Traits of Great Leaders.” This article is supposed to help employers attract and retain outstanding employees (Vogan, 2012). This article says that to be a great leader you must have a vision, you must have passion, you must learn to be a great decision maker, you must be a team builder, and you must have character. Although we could surely find a “title” (such as determined or conscientious) to fulfill these 5 key traits, they have decided to make it in simple language.
Entrepreneur.com also has another article written by Carol Tice called “12 Leadership Traits You Need to Thrive in Tough Times.” She also does not give any of the traits listed in Northous’s book. After reading her “traits” I giggled a little bit. Her 12 top “traits” are; listen, give credit, be yourself, communicate, don’t be trendy, beat anxiety, be service-oriented, be accountable, use empathy, share the big picture, keep your cool, and think like an immigrant (Tice, 2012) I’m sorry, but who is Carol Tice? Does she not know that a trait is not “think like an immigrant?” And, a trait is not, “don’t be trendy?” I am a little disappointed in this website. I would like to know where they find their columnist. Instead of Tice’s 12 leadership trait titles, I think I could come up with better traits to fit her “descriptions. Instead of “listen” I would say “openness.” Instead of “give credit” I would say “integrity.” Instead of “be yourself” I would say “self-confidence.” Instead of “communicate” I would “openness” again. Instead of “don’t be trendy” I would say “professional.” Instead of “beat anxiety” I would have used “calm.” Instead of “service-oriented” I would have said “social intelligence.” Instead of “be accountable” I would have said “self-monitoring.” Instead of “use empathy” I would have said “emotional intelligence.” Instead of “share the big picture” I would have said “conscientiousness” or “influence.” Instead of “keep your cool” I would have said “tolerant.” Instead of “think like an immigrant”… well… I don’t know… I don’t really have a trait for that one!
I found in interesting that through this research I have found that many writers do not have a good knowledge on “traits.” You would think that if someone was writing an article on leadership traits that they would maybe look into some research that the book Leadership touches on.
Which brings me to the thought that America is sometimes being “dumbed” down. If we can’t find intelligent words in a professional article published by a well known website, that is fairly crazy. Get it right writers! Descriptions are not traits!
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership – Theory and Practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Tice, C. (2012). 12 Leadership Traits You Need to Thrive in Tough Times. Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/222841#
Vogan, P. (2012). 5 Key Traits of Great Leaders. Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/163590
JANELLE DIMICHELE says
I too find this somewhat amusing, but I guess we have to look at it with an open mind. This may be part of the reason why leadership is so hard to define because everyone has their own definition and their own thoughts and theories on what leadership is. Also, we are studying leadership and therefore, we are kind of forced to think about leadership a little differently than other people who are not studying leadership. Also, it appears as though that particular source you referenced was a blog and I’m not sure how seriously blogs can be taken even if they are on an entrepreneur sight because it is more than likely the author’s personal opinion. At any rate, the same point holds true that leadership is so subjective and that’s why it is so difficult to label and define. I would hope that a company looking for leaders would not look to such sources in choosing them…otherwise, the world may be up for a big surprise in years to come.