While reviewing the trait theory and its approach to leadership, I wondered if there is an opportunity to attempt to develop certain traits in children to assist them later in life. Does early development lead to stronger leadership traits? Taking a look at some programs that are being used in elementary schools today may help with answering that question.
“One of the major criticisms of the trait theory is that it is not useful for training and development. Teaching new traits are not easy because traits are not easily changed (Northouse 2013, pg. 32).” Is that thought based on teaching adults or children? While reviewing sources, I found research on determining negative traits in children, such as those related to criminal behavior (Demoines Community College). Then, just as we viewed in our reading, there were sources that came up with a list (all different) of traits that children should have to be considered a leader (Life 123.com). They listed traits such as Integrity, Responsibility, Enthusiasm and Motivation. If your child does not show those traits, is there truly an opportunity to make them a strength later in life?
My daughter was a part of a pilot program in her elementary school that focused on building great leaders and focusing on the leader within, and was called “The Leader In Me” (The Leader in Me). This program was based on Stephen R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. As the trait approach focuses not on how the leader acts in a situation, but instead on having a leader with certain traits helps the leadership process (Northouse, 2013), my daughter’s school had the same thought. The elementary school leadership program was successfully implemented in a school that was low performing in Raleigh, North Carolina, by increasing their productivity and decreasing discipline occurrences (The Leader in Me) . The program focused on implementing a three-year model to transform their students into leaders. The children focused on the following habits:
1. Be Proactive
2. Begin With the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw
The materials used complimented the following traits:
|
|
Although it may have helped schools reduce discipline issues, did we develop those traits within the children? There was even an offsite meeting where they participated in games related to teamwork and had discussions about each of the habits. There are over 600 schools that have gone through this program, and they had many testimonials (The Leader in Me). In my own child, she readily recognized those traits and how you can exhibit them in a situation. We may not have made her a leader in every situation, but it did create an overall awareness of the leadership process. I feel this particular pilot for elementary schools assists with one of the criticisms in the trait theory in that it focuses on the outcomes and productivity of the schools after the program (Northouse, 2013). If you have helped them to develop their communication and problem solving better, you have positively impacted the leadership in that organization.
Demoines Community College. (n.d.). Retrieved from dmacc.edu: www.dmacc.edu/instructors/gdtitchener/Welcome_files/…files/…/Ch5.ppt
Department, P. S. (2012). Leadership in Work Settings: Introduction to Leadership. Penn State World Campus.
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice: Sixth Edition. Sage Publications, Inc.
Penn State World Campus (2012). PSYCH 485 Lesson 2: Trait Approach. Retrieved on September 12, 2012, from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/fa12/psych485/002/content/01_lesson.html.