LEADERSHIP

Leadership Styles and Traits

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “leadership” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “leadership styles” and “the leadership traits”. The research analyzes “diverse styles of leadership” and explores “the traits used by the leaders” in order to successfully motivate and influence the followers. Finally the research describes various “leadership styles” and illustrates “the key leadership traits” that are responsible for leader's success.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Leadership Styles4

The Coercive Style of Leadership4

Oriented Style5

The Affiliative Style5

The Participative Style6

The Imitative Style6

Trainer Style6

Leadership Traits7

Ideal behavior7

Inspirational motivation7

Intellectual stimulation8

Individualized consideration8

Conclusion8

References10

Leadership Styles and Traits

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to enlighten and explore leadership styles and the traits that must be present in an individual in order to be a leader. Leadership can be defined as a procedure of communal persuasion, in this process an entity influences other to join him in order to achieve the common objectives. The process of leadership is about constructing a method for natives to provide their assistance in order to achieve the objective beyond limitations. Efficient leadership is the capability to productively incorporate and exploits accessible resources present in the internal as well as the external environment in order to achieve the organizational objectives or shared goals.

In order to become a successful and influential leader a person should have certain traits that distinguish him from others. These traits equip a person to lead a team and become a role model for the followers. The in-depth analysis of the scholarly studies revealed six diverse leadership styles. It can be interpreted that the leadership styles are connected to distinct emotional intelligence categories that separate one leader from the other in the form of the leadership style through which he regulates his followers.

Leadership Styles

The Coercive Style of Leadership

This leadership style is not as much of effective in most situations. The decision-making from above makes new ideas never come to light (Fairholm, 1998). Under the coercive leadership, people are unable to act on their own initiative, lack ownership of their work, and do not realize that their job performance depends on them. This style of leadership has many negative effects on the followers. This style of leadership motivates people by showing them how their work fits in the great mission that everyone in the organization share equally (Fairholm, 1998).

Oriented Style

A leader governed by orientated style is a visionary leader who motivates peoples' work clarifying how their work contributes to organization's prosperity. The followers of this leader acknowledge that their work matters and they are essential for the organization. Leadership orientation maximizes commitment to the objectives, and effective organizational strategy. The oriented leader guides and defines the standards that they function effectively in the reality of their corporate vision.

The Affiliative Style

The affiliative leader's endeavors often reflect the happiness of the followers; in addition, the relationship between a leader and a follower in this style is harmonious (Sashkin, 2003). The affiliative style also has a very positive effect on communication; because, in this style of leadership, ...