I have grown up my entire life as a person who is a very outgoing and easily makes friends. I mention this because, unlike stereotypes, I am not what one would imagine as “shy” or “timid.” However, when put into a leadership situation, I am very reluctant to speak my opinion or delegate work to others –not because I think others are not capable, but because I feel guilty giving others more work. Now, with that being said, one might think I would make a terrible leader. I tend to disagree with that assessment, as my definition of leadership is “taking responsibility for yourself and managing all aspects of a task or group of people at the highest level of accountability.”
I am a very conscientious worker, and I double and triple check my work in order to make sure it lives up to my very high level of expectation that I have set for myself. I think this makes me a good leader. I am also very sensitive to others feelings; I believe I have a very good knack for being able to read others’ body language, which allows me to be a better communicator. I think this makes me a good leader. I am a very energetic and bubbly person, some might believe this is overcompensating or “fake,” but in reality I am always very passionate about every endeavor I choose to take on. I think this makes me a good leader.
So am I a bad leader because I was born with a trait that makes me self-doubt constantly and makes me nervous to give others more work, thus causing me to take on a great deal of that work myself? No. I believe that everyone can be a leader in his or her own way. I believe that one person’s weakness can be another’s greatest advantage. Furthermore, I do not believe one trait is better than another when it comes to leadership. Thus, I completely disagree with the Trait Leadership Theory, which states, “The trait model of leadership is based on the characteristics of many leaders – both successful and unsuccessful – and is used to predict leadership effectiveness (“Management Study Guide”).” This theory suggests people are born with a certain set of traits that predict whether they will be a good leader or not –this goes against everything I believe in.
Yes, I can be a “timid” leader.
MSG Management Study Guide. (2016). Retrieved May 22, 2017, from
http://managementstudyguide.com/trait-theory-of-leadership.htm