Leadership Traits

Leadership Traits

Being able to be a leader to others and being able to have others follow instructions and/or behaviors is a tease or a promise of something that is unobtainable for many people that are leaders. Katz and Kahn's (1978) relates to a theory that describe leadership as "The influence increment over and above mechanical compliance with the routine directives of the organization" (Katz & Kahn, 1978, pg. 528). This definition doesn't begin to show the power as well as the romance that are associated with a great leadership and the organization that insists that having a strong leadership is the key in their success. A leadership position focuses on the long term development of the organization, they have a vision and they are creative, where as in a management position would deal with the daily routine of the operations and functions of the organization. Leaders develop traits by having different skills that all tie into or focus on basic skills which are developed by experience, learning and listening to others.

Leaders need to have the ability to build their own credibility, communicate well with others, listen, have assertiveness, conduct meetings, have effective stress management classes (when needed), problem solve and have creativity that is able to change with each situation (Hughes, Ginnett & Curphy, 2012, pg. 277). By building credibility with others in an organization others will see that there is communication among the leader and co worker(s), others can see that there is listening by the actions that the leaders shows, it shows assertiveness in knowing when and how to act/behave in situations that arise. This shows other co workers, subordinates and leaders that you are an effective leader in areas that are needed and solving problems is not a hard thing to do. Everyone learns that the leader has creativity, an open mind in many areas as well as willing to discuss what happened in meeting(s) so that everyone can learn from the things that have happened. A leader needed so know when stress is forming and it needs to be managed by talking, listening or maybe changing some simple things in order for things to run smoothly. All of these things form a trust, honesty, reliance, integrity, character and confidence in the leader along with the organization.

Competent leaders are good at building teams and getting results by giving out orders. Leaders also put the right people in the right positions in order to get the job done correctly. When they interview people they are looking for the right people that have the ability to work in to right position(s) to be able to get the job done. Leaders whether they are managers, supervisors or team players (co workers) have the ability to make decisions in a timely manner in order to complete the task or to get the job done. There are many research projects that have been done to try to identify