What does Trait Leadership Theory emphasize?

Trait Leadership Theory emphasizes the inherent qualities and characteristics that individuals possess, which make them effective leaders. This approach focuses on identifying the specific traits, such as intelligence, confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability, that are associated with successful leadership. The idea is that certain individuals are born with these traits, which predispose them to be leaders.

In establishing a foundation for understanding leadership, Trait Theory suggests that these innate qualities can help predict a leader's effectiveness across various situations and settings. This perspective contrasts with other leadership theories that might focus on behaviors, situational contexts, or transactional processes. By highlighting the internal attributes of leaders, Trait Theory provides insight into the types of personal characteristics that organizations might look for when selecting or developing leaders.