Traits, Motives & Characteristics of Leadership

Dubrins describes general traits of a leader as:

Self

Confidence Trustworthiness Dominance Extroversion Assertiveness

Emotional

Stability Sense of Humor Warmth High tolerance of frustration Self awareness & self objectivity

Self Confidence
Being Self Confidence doesnt only mean believing in oneself but also to be realistic and project this self confidence in his subordinates.

Trustworthiness
Displaying honesty, integrity and credibility engendering trust. Other this that a leader displays to build on trust are care, reliability and predictability.

Dominance
A dominant person imposes his or her will on others. As a consequence a dominant leader is often seen as domineering and bossy. In the early days this was considered to be a synonymous with leadership but the modern view point recognizes that many other traits are involved.

Extroversion
There are a few effective leader who would be quite laid back and introverts but generally they are considered to be quite gregarious and outgoing. Extroverts are more likely to want to assume a leadership role and participate in group activities.

Assertiveness
In recent years assertiveness has got more attention in leadership traits that being dominant and extrovert. It refers to expressing demands, opinions, feelings and attitudes. Being assertive helps you in confronting group members about their mistakes, demanding higher performance, making legitimate demands, etc. It differs from being aggressive or passive.

Emotional Stability
This refers to the control of emotions to the point that ones emotional responses are appropriate to the occasion. Low emotional stability would create anxiety, depression, anger, embarrassment and worry.

Enthusiasm
Group member tend to respond positively to enthusiasm, partly as it might be taken as a constructive reward. It is a great tool for motivating others. If you dont project the gung-ho attitude, everybody will hold back.

Sense Of Humor
Humors serves as a toll to relieve tension, boredom and defusing hostility. Thus this helps to power over the group.

Warmth
This trait builds rapport with group members. It provides emotional support. People might not believe what you say but they will believe what you do? So if you care show it, as it builds trust.

High Tolerance of Frustration

This trait is important as managers might face great amount of frustrations, e.g. he might be working on a project since long but then he is told after a long time that the project would be abandoned. A good leader would not let this affect his work.

Self Awareness and Self Objectivity

Effective leaders are aware of their strengths and weaknesses. This enables them to harness their capabilities in the best possible manner and improve themselves by keeping away from their limitations.

Dubrins describes task related traits of a leader as:

Initiative Sensitive

to others and empathy Flexibility and adaptability Internal locus of control Courage Resiliency

Initiative
Being a self started, taking action without support and stimulation from others. It is also referred to problem finding ability. It is being proactive rather than reactive.

Sensitive to Others And Empathy

In an effect to influence others one should understand that person well. Achieving sensitivity to others requires empathy, putting yourself into the other persons shoes.

Flexibility and Adaptability

A leader is someone who facilitates change thus he himself must be flexible to cope up with the ever changing environment. Leaders who are flexible are able to adapt to changing circumstances and meet demands of different situations.

Internal Locus of Control

This is very similar to self confidence as people with this ability believe that they can control circumstances enough to perform well. This trait would be better than someone with external locus of control because and internal person takes responsibility.

Courage
They need courage to face challenges and of taking prudent risks and taking initiative. The more people believe in the leader the more likely they are to blame him when something goes wrong thus he should have the courage to face them too.

Resiliency
This is the trait of a leader that helps him to bounce back quickly from cuts, demotions, etc. This means that the leader sets an example by not crumbling when something goes wrong, instead bounce back or conduct business as usual.

Justice Judgment Dependability Initiative Decisiveness Tact Integrity Enthusiasm Bearing Unselfishness Courage Knowledge Loyalty Endurance

U.S. Army 11 Leadership Principles

Be tactically and technically proficient

Know yourself and seek selfimprovement

Know your soldiers and look out for their welfare

Keep your soldiers informed

Set the example Ensure the task is understood, supervised and accomplished Train your soldiers as a team Make sound and timely decisions Develop a sense of responsibility in your subordinates Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions

U.S. Army 23 Traits of Character

Bearing Confidence Courage Integrity Decisiveness Justice Endurance Tact Initiative Coolness Maturity

Improvement Will Assertiveness Candor Sense of humor Competence Commitment Creativity Self-discipline Humility Flexibility Empathy/Compassion

What motivates leaders?

The Power Motive Personalized Power motive Socialize Power Motive
1. 2.

Derive and achievement motivation Strong work ethic

Personalized Power Motive

Leaders crave for: Luxury Status Symbols Money. This gives them a sense of achievement and makes them feel that they are on top of things.

Socialized Power Motive

This sort of trait is where the leader would use his power primarily to achieve the organizational goals or a vision. More clearly said it is the trait where a leader uses his power to help others. These type of leaders have longer range perspectives.

Derive & Achievement Motivation

Derive is the ability to put in high amount of energy in order to achieve goals. Once the goal is achieved it acts as a strong motivational factor. These people take the complete responsibility of success or failure on their heads. They take moderate risks, receive feedback on level of performance, introduce innovative/creative solutions, plan and set goals.

Strong Work Ethic

Quite similar to derive, what work ethic also does that it motivates group members and self to recognize how their functions benefit others.