Trait theories / Great man theory

-Believe that “Leaders are

born, not made”
-Assumes that a leader must
have certain innate abilities,
personality traits or other
cha. to be a leader
 that some people are
naturally better leaders
than others
• -approach lead to
efforts to identify
people who have cha.
of a leader rather than
to the development of
leaders which
happened to be at the
right time and it was
the events of their time
that made them great
•Behavioral
theories

Also called as “functional theories of

leadership
-concerned with what the leader
does rather than who the leader is
–”more on action oriented”
 Lewin, Lippitt and White
(Authoritarian, Democratic and Laissez-Faire
Styles)

- Researchers believe that

interactions between leaders
and group members indicates
that the behavior of the leader
could substantially influence
the climate and outcomes of
the group
 THREE DISTINCT PATTERNS OF
LEADERSHIP STYLES
1. AUTHORITARIAN LEADER-
-maintain strong control over
the people in the group
-control maybe dictatorial

-suitable in crisis situations

when clear directions are
highest priority
2. DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP
(Participative)
-Based on the following principles:
a. Every group member
should participate
in decision
making.
b. Freedom of belief and
action is allowed within
reasonable bounds that are set
by society and by the group.
c. Each individual is responsible for himself or
herself and for the welfare of the group.
d. There should be concern and consideration for
each group member as a unique individual.

characteristic of democratic leadership:

a. participative and less controlling
b. stimulates and guides the group towards
fulfillment of goals
c. CATALYST “says “we” rather than I / you
d. criticism is constructive
e. control is shared with group members-
participates to the best of their abilities
and experience
3. LAISSEZ-FAIRE LEADERSHIP (permissive)
-also called as “Permissive or
nondirective leadership”
-leadership which is generally inactive,
passive and non-directive

-leaves virtually all of the control and

decision making to the group

-little or no direction, guidance or

encouragement
Cha. of Laissez-faire leadership
a. members acts independently of
each other – little coordination
or cooperation

b. goals are unclear and

procedures are often
confusing and lacking
Critical Thinking activities:

 Make observations in a clinical setting,

or reflect on past experiences

Answer the following questions:

1. How would you describe your
leadership?
2. What are some leadership styles you
have observed?
3. Did they seem appropriate for the