Four Leadership Models

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Running head: LEADERSHIP THEORIES/MODELS 1 Leadership Theories/Models Sue A. Noyes LDR 711A Dr. Michael Marrapodi April 12, 2012 LEADERSHIP THEORIES/MODELS 2 Leadership Theories/Models The definition of leadership varies among people and there seems to be no one exact definition as well as no one exact leadership model/style. According to Wren (1995), the meaning of leadership may depend on the kind of institution in which it is found. Leadership has been defined as a substance of behavior, of encouraging agreement, as the use of power, as particular behaviors, as a form of influence, as a control relation, as a device to accomplish goals, as a result of collaboration, as origination of structure, and as many combinations of these definitions (p.38). For the purpose of this paper, the models discussed are the trait theory, the situational leadership model, transactional leadership, and transformational leadership. Trait Theory The Trait Theory, also known as the Great Man Theory, came into existence around 1910. Clawson (2006) stated that the trait approach “emphasizes the personal traits of leaders” (p. 379). The assumption was that leaders were born, not made and certain people possess innate characteristics that make them better leaders than others. Bass (1990) explained that every society identified individuals who were intellectually and morally superior, and these individuals were destined to lead. Wren (1995) stated, “In 1948, Ralph Stogdill reviewed over 120 trait studies in an attempt to discern a reliable and coherent pattern. His conclusion was that no such trait pattern existed. He concluded that traits alone do not identify leadership” (p.84). LEADERSHIP THEORIES/MODELS 3 Hundreds of trait studies conducted during the 1930s and 1940s sought to discover the traits that would

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