Looking at the trait and skill approach, it is clear that the obvious difference lies in whether rely on innate traits, or leaned skills. Are we born with personality characteristics that make us good (or bad) leaders, or do we learn certain skills and abilities through our experiences and external/internal influences, which influence our leadership approach?
In 2005, Sternberg developed the WICS Model of Giftedness in Leadership, which suggests that people are both born with certain leadership abilities/characteristics, and have developed skills throughout their lifetimes which make for successful leaders. The WICS model looks at wisdom, intelligence, creativity and synthesizes skills and attitudes, all of which comprise a giftedness in leadership. Sternberg suggests that successful leadership, however, is more likely attributable to practical skills (which are acquired from previous experiences), than from academic intelligence (which is often thought to be innate).
It is therefore conceivable, that both the skills and traits approach to leadership have merit. “Great” people are born with, and possess, necessary leadership qualities, AND also leaders can develop necessary technical, human and conceptual skills (Katz, 1955) which in turn make them great.
References:
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice, 6, 19-41. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Rogers, K. (2009). “Leadership Giftedness: Is it Innate or Can it be Developed?”. International Handbook on Giftedness, 633. DOI 10.1007/978-1-4020-6162-2 31.
Sternberg R.J. (2005). WICS: A Model of Leadership. The Psychologist Manager Journal, 8(1), 29. DOI: 10.1207/s15503461tpmj0801_4
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