1. Traits, Motives, and Characteristics of Leaders
CHAPTER TWO
Traits, Motives, and Characteristics of Leaders

2. Learning Objectives
Identify general and task-related traits that contribute to leadership effectiveness.
Describe how emotional intelligence contributes to leadership effectiveness.
Identify key motives that contribute to leadership effectiveness.
Describe cognitive factors associated with leadership effectiveness.
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3. Learning Objectives
Discuss the heredity versus environment issue in relation to leadership effectiveness.
Summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the trait approach to leadership.
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4. Universal Theory of Leadership
The belief that certain personal characteristics and skills contribute to leadership effectiveness in many situations
Three categories:
Personality traits
Motives
Cognitive factors
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5. Leader Personality Traits
General Personality Traits
Traits observable both within and outside the context of work
Task-Related Personality Traits
Traits closely associated with task accomplishment
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6. General Personality Traits of Effective Leaders
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7. Task-Related Personality Traits of Leaders
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8. Leadership Motives
Leaders generally have a strong desire to influence and control others
This desire is evident in four needs or motives
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9. Leadership Motives
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10. Cognitive Factors
Leaders must have problem-solving and intellectual skills to effectively gather, process, and store essential information
Five cognitive factors related to leadership effectiveness have been identified
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11. Cognitive Factors and Leadership
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12. Nature versus Nurture Are leaders born or are they made? Both.
Individuals inherit a basic capacity to develop personality traits and mental ability that sets an outer limit on how extensively these traits can be developed
Environmental influences, in turn, determine how much of an individual’s potential will be developed
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13. Trait Approach Limitations Strengths
Serves as a guide to leader selection
Can guide individuals in preparing for leadership
Limitations
Does not identify which characteristics are absolutely needed
Does not specify how much of a trait or characteristic is needed
Can breed an elitist conception of leadership
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14. Summary
The universal theory of leadership asserts that certain personality traits, leader motives, and cognitive factors contribute to leadership effectiveness
Personality traits include both general traits and task-related traits
Leaders can often be distinguished by their needs or motives
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15. Summary Mental ability is important for leadership success
Traits, motives, and characteristics required for leadership are a combination of heredity and environment
Traits do appear to distinguish leaders from nonleaders and effective leaders from less-effective leaders
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