Leadership Essay -- Trait Theory, Maslow

Leaders impact people's daily lives and futures. In good times and bad, there is always a need for strong leadership. According to Fesler (1960) leadership is a social process, it cannot exist without leader and followers. Leadership is results in followers’ behavior that is goal-directed in some sort of organized setting. In brief, leadership is a process by a person influences others toward the attainment of group or organizational goals. Like the words said by Keith (2003):† Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen†. The development of leadership studies has three phases: trait theory, behavior theory and contingency theory. According to Robbins& Judge (2011), the studies at late of 1960s are applied to the â€Å"great man† theory which state that the leads are born to lead, they are not like other people and they have some special trait. The researchers examined the physical, mental, and social characteristics of individuals, they are expected to find out what kinds of trait will means the people is the leader. However, Fry& Kriger (2009) indicated that leader trait research ignored followers’ needs and not gives explanations for the proposed relationship between individual characteristics and leadership; it is not consider the impact of situational factors that might moderate the relationship between leader traits and measures of leader effectiveness. As a result of these drawbacks, trait theory is not successful and generally abandoned. While aware of the limitations of trait theory, the focus of leadership research shifted away to leader behaviors. The researchers begin to observe the relationship between behavior and leader effectiveness. The behavior ... ... the leader behavior that will accomplish these tasks depends upon the subordinate and environmental contingency factors. In conclude, there is no best way or universal style to manage an organization. A good must think over the situation around and find out an appropriate leadership style. Although Anna Bligh’s behavior is not totally same with effectiveness style which is indicated by behavior leadership studies, but her style is appropriate to the situation she met, and consistent with the definition of effectiveness leadership under contingency theory. Her case is also proof that behavior leadership has offered many kinds of leader style but a good leader generally should not use the same style with a group in different situation. Like contingency theory indicated: most efficacious leadership is the style that accordance with current circumstance.