In considering the traits approach to leadership, what are some of your traits you consider adding or detracting from your ability to lead? Considering Stogdill’s (1948, 1974) findings that leadership traits must be relevant to a leader’s actions (Northouse, 2015), how are traits important to your leadership style?
Before analyzing my personal leadership traits I feel it is
important to first define leadership traits. According to Northouse (2015), “the
trait perspective suggests that certain individuals have special innate or
inborn characteristics or qualities that make them leaders, and that it is
these qualities that differentiate the from non-leaders.” We have all heard the
statement, “he is a natural leader.” Although this theory has advantages the
trait approach has failed to take into account the impact of situations.
Furthermore, the list of strong leadership traits is not necessarily grounded
in reliable research.
Through eighteen years of experience in the military I have
had the awesome opportunity to manage projects (both small and large), lead
teams, and effectively take the war to the enemy. During the span of my career
I contribute a large part of my personal development to strong role models and
mentors. My strongest mentor, my father, was able to guide me in a particularly
special way, as he too was a member of the armed forces. His insight was
critical to a personal value system that I carry with me to this day. My father was
critical in pushing me toward off duty education, this experience instilled drive and responsibility and from early on was key to honing task management skills.
It is easy to show the correlation between pursuing higher education
and Stogdill’s ten characteristics associated with leadership. Higher education
led to traits I am strongest in, to include: responsibility, pursuit of goals,
and problem solving. These traits were evident in leading small teams,
developing enhanced training scenarios, and guiding members to specific task accomplishment.
Within the last two years I was promoted to the Senior Non-commissioned Officer
tier and with the rank I was thrusted into positions of higher leadership. Over this time, I
have been able to examine my leadership experiences and style and capitalize on
my strengths. It has also been evident to me where I fall short. Some of the clear weaknesses include: sociability, extraversion, and communication. I contribute these flaws to
personality characteristics and I’m not sure I want to change this as I still
believe there may be strengths that lie within these so called “flaws.” I don’t
always enjoy socializing in large groups and I definitely don’t care to
communicate in large group settings. With this said, I believe I thrive in
small groups where I have the opportunity to communicate one on one with each
of the participants. The unwillingness to thrive in social settings has been a hindrance
all of my personal life and definitely throughout my military career. I am often given the opportunity
to speak publicly and lead people outside of my community, however, I often
pass on these projects.
In closing, I have had many opportunities to lead teams and follow great leaders. Over the years I have
gained the ability (through education) to evaluate my own personal leadership attributes. I see
that my strengths may lie in management while my weaknesses lie in sociability. I
hope to develop these abilities and shortcomings with mentorship, education,
and participation in social events.
References:
Meier, J.D. (2010) Lessons learned from John Maxwell. Sources of Insight. Retrieved from: http://sourcesofinsight.com/lessons-learned-from-john-maxwell/
Northouse, P.G. (2015). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
