Trait vs. Skills Approach to Leadership
Hello, Welcome to the University homeschool of government, a PhD, I’m 510 fundamentals of Public Safety Leadership. This is Module 2, trait versus skills approach to leadership. Trait theory actually involves one of the first systematic attempts to study leadership. Leadership traits were studied to determine which traits made certain people great leaders. It was believed that people were born with these traits and that only great people possess them. While in the early days, it was believed that people were born with traits that only great people possess in order to be a great leader. In 1948, Stogdill determined that there was no consistent set of traits that differentiate leaders from non-leaders across a wide array of situations. Someone who might be a leader in one situation may very well not be a leader in another. Leadership was re-conceptualized as a relationship between people in a social situation. Trace may be associated with individuals perceptions of leadership. And ultimately, it was determined that this approach emphasizes that having a leader with a certain set of traits is crucial to having effective leadership. The skills approach to leadership is similar to the trait approach. The skills approach takes a leader centered perspective on leadership. We shift from traits to an emphasis on the skills and abilities that can be learned and developed. This approach emphasizes the capabilities, knowledge, and skills that are needed for effective leadership. In examining and comparing the trait approach versus the skills approach. Skills are what leaders can accomplish, whereas traits are who leaders are, such as their innate or inherent characteristics. So are good leaders born or made? The studies and the debate is something that has gone on for many years and will most likely to continue to go on for many more. Trait approach focuses upon the traits that leaders are born with and may utilize across a broad spectrum of situations. Skills Tim relate to topics such as technical skills. For example, knowledge about an proficiency in a specific type of work or activity. Skills can also relate to human skills, skills and knowledge about the ability to work with people, for example, noticed people skills and skills can also relate to conceptual skills essential to creating a vision and strategic plan for an organization. When we discuss the trait approach versus the skills approach and public safety are both or either beneficial to public safety. How might you utilize either or both? And again, are some people born leaders? Possibly, but some leaders are actually made good leaders as well. Some leaders become great leaders through the acquisition of new skills. Experience provides greater opportunities for the development of better leadership skills and abilities. In closing, I would like to leave you with a passage from James 31. Now many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly as leaders or managers. You will eventually put in a position to teach others. And another great quote by Dr. John Maxwell, a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.
