The Great Man Theory of Leadership

A Brief Overview of the Great Man Theory of Leadership

By Kendra Cherry, About.com Guide

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leadership leadership styles

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Great leaders are born, not made"? This quote sums up the basic tenant of the great man theory of leadership, which suggests that the capacity for leadership is inborn. According to this theory, you're either a natural born leader or you're not. The term "Great Man" was used because, at the time, leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership. History of the Great Man Theory of Leadership The great man theory of leadership became popular during the 19th-century. The mythology behind some of the world's most famous leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, Julius Caesar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Alexander the Great helped contribute to the notion that great leaders are born and not made. In many examples, it seems as if the right man for the job seems to emerge almost magically to take control of a situation and lead a group of people into safety or success. Historian Thomas Carlyle also had a major influence on this theory of leadership, at one point stating that, "The history of the world is but the biography of great men." According to Carlyle, effective leaders are those gifted with divine inspiration and the right characteristics. Some of the earliest research on leadership looked at people who were already successful leaders. These individuals often included aristocratic rulers who achieved their position through birthright. Because people of a lesser social status had fewer opportunities to practice and achieve leadership roles, it contributed to the idea that leadership is an inherent ability. Even today, people often describe prominent leaders as having the right qualities or personality for the position, implying that inherent characteristics are what make these people effective leaders. Arguments Against the Great Man Theory of Leadership Sociologist Herbert Spencer suggested that the leaders were products of the society in which they lived. In The Study of Sociology, Spencer wrote, "you must admit that the genesis of a great man depends on the long series of complex influences which has produced the race in which he appears, and the social state into which that race has slowly grown....Before he can remake his society, his society must make him." Back to Leadership Theories

Leadership Theories - 8 Major Leadership Theories

By Kendra Cherry, About.com Guide

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leadership trait theories

Interest in leadership increased during the early part of the twentieth century. Early leadership theories focused on what qualities distinguished between leaders and followers, while subsequent theories looked at other variables such as situational factors and skill levels. While many different leadership theories have emerged, most can be classified as one of eight major types: 1. "Great Man" Theories: Great man theories assume that the capacity for leadership is inherent that great leaders are born, not made. These theories often portray great leaders as heroic, mythic and destined to rise to leadership when needed. The term "Great Man" was used because, at the time, leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership. Learn more about the great man theory of leadership. 2. Trait Theories: Similar in some ways to "Great Man" theories, trait theories assume that people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership. Trait theories often identify particular personality or behavioral characteristics shared by leaders. If particular traits are key features of leadership, then how do we explain people who possess those qualities but are not leaders? This question is one of the difficulties in using trait theories to explain leadership. 3. Contingency Theories: Contingency theories of leadership focus on particular variables related to the environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is best suited for the situation. According to this theory, no leadership style is best in all situations. Success depends upon a number of variables, including the leadership style, qualities of the followers and aspects of the situation. 4. Situational Theories: Situational theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variables. Different styles of leadership may be more appropriate for certain types of decision-making. For example, in a situation where the leader is the most knowledgeable and experienced member of a group, an authoritarian style might be most appropriate. In other instances where group members are skilled experts, a democratic style would be more effective. 5. Behavioral Theories: Behavioral theories of leadership are based upon the belief that great leaders are made, not born. Rooted in behaviorism, this leadership theory focuses on the actions of leaders not on mental qualities or internal states. According to this theory, people can learn to become leaders through teaching and observation. 6. Participative Theories:

Participative leadership theories suggest that the ideal leadership style is one that takes the input of others into account. These leaders encourage participation and contributions from group members and help group members feel more relevant and committed to the decision-making process. In participative theories, however, the leader retains the right to allow the input of others. 7. Management Theories: Management theories, also known as transactional theories, focus on the role of supervision, organization and group performance. These theories base leadership on a system of rewards and punishments. Managerial theories are often used in business; when employees are successful, they are rewarded; when they fail, they are reprimanded or punished. Learn more about theories of transactional leadership. 8. Relationship Theories: Relationship theories, also known as transformational theories, focus upon the connections formed between leaders and followers. Transformational leaders motivate and inspire people by helping group members see the importance and higher good of the task. These leaders are focused on the performance of group members, but also want each person to fulfill his or her potential. Leaders with this style often have high ethical and moral standards. Did You Know? By visiting the rest of the Psychology site you can find a wealth of free psychology articles and resources, which include:

Explanation of Applications of Various Leadership Theories in Business Settings

X By Jay Boone, eHow Contributor Leadership theories have to be applied to be understood.

Research on the direct effect of leadership styles in business operations gave rise to different and complementary theories. To be ready for a continuous and successful performance, you should take into consideration these theories and their practical applications to your business. After all, theory and practice of leadership have to go handin-hand.
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What Are Some Leadership Theories? Primary Leadership Theories

1. Trait Theories

Possibly the oldest conception about leadership, the Great Man theory suggests a leader is born, rather than raised. This hypothesis has ancient roots; when a group faced critical times, a hero magically appeared to organize and lead the community to success. The specific gender of Great Man has to do with the military origin of the concept, when women were not considered possible leaders. Even today, many people talk about leaders based on their inborn leadership qualities. An associated model, the Trait Theory, tries to explain leadership through the existence of specific, inherited characteristics. However, these theories don't clarify why many people with the right leadership skills never become leaders.

Contingency and Situational Theories

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Contingency theories of leadership are based on the conclusion that not all successful leaders have the same style. Different situations or environments require different things. The success depends on factors like the leader's favorite style and the qualities of followers and partners, as well as the environment. The same person can show excellence in the achievement of a project and fail while trying a different assignment. The Situational Theory could be seen as a consequence of the Contingency model. Under this concept, a leader should not simply make a decision in his preferred style, but take into consideration the conditions of a particular situation. Even more, the leader's style must change when facing diverse aspects of the job: Organization, conflict resolution and relationship with followers or pairs are different activities, which need different kinds of leadership. Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, the developers of this model, have classified the behavior of leaders in four principal modalities to exercise influence on other people: Directing, coaching, supporting and delegating.

Behavioral Theories
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Rather than centering the leadership within innate characteristics, the Behavioral Theory affirms that a leader can be made through teaching and practice. This point of view is the opposite of the Trait theories. This focuses on the development of leaders through continuous learning. The most important matter is the identification of behaviors recognized as factors for success, as well as the factors that could be obstacles, or could lead to failure. The theory is based on John Watson's behaviorism or behavioral psychology. A theory from John Adair, an authority on leadership development, relates a successful leadership with performance. For this theory -- the Action Centered Leadership Model -- the performance is divided into three essential activities: Create the team, develop individuals and achieve the goals. Depending on the situation, the leader should grant more importance to one of these three success factors.

Relationship Theories

Relationship theories, also called Transformational theories, consider the connection between the leaders and their followers as the principal factor for success. From this perspective, an inspirational attitude, together with a clear vision and the capability to communicate personal passion, are the keys to achieving the best results. The right definition of an initial and comprehensive vision is fundamental, as well as the ability to transmit that vision. At the same time, leaders depending on relationships create their own "brands," transferring the enthusiasm and the right practices to their followers, who take what they learn and become leaders in their own right. Transformational leaders not only manage tasks and meet goals, but to lead the transformation of organizations in order to reach excellence and best business practices.

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Leadership Style Theories

X By Doug Wetzel, eHow Contributor

Many factors have been cited as the source of leadership, and despite at least 2,000 years of contemplation, no definitive theory has yet been constructed. Ancient thinkers, such as Plato and Hippocrates, attributed qualities of leadership to the "Four Temperaments," while modern proposals involve an analysis of a leader's psychological, psychodynamic and sociological mannerisms. Others point to the importance of intelligence and intellectual capacity as primary determinants of successful leadership.
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Theories & Styles of Leadership Leadership Theories & Models

1. Great Man Theories

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One of the oldest theories of leadership, the "Great Man" theory, suggests that great leadership qualities are native to a person, and that the most successful leaders are not constructed by experience or education, but exist because of inherent characteristics gathered from birth. Although this theory has a foundation in philosophers as far back as ancient Greece, the concept thrived until thinkers during the Enlightenment began to reconsider the importance of experience and education.

Behavioral Theories
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Although Great Man theories maintain that a person's physical and mental qualities are the source for leadership, behavioral theories argue that it is the actions a leader actually decides to use that make for successful leadership. Behavior is therefore fundamental, and unlike Great Man theories, it argues that great leaders can be trained. Behavioral theories, such as the Grid and Role leadership models, propose that selecting the correct actions for a situation, or to reach a goal, requires an understanding of when to focus on people or on tasks. By studying the behaviors of successful leaders, it is thought that "correct" actions can be determined and later taught to others.

Transaction and Transformative Theories

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Two opposing, but popular modern theories, are the transactional and transformative styles of leadership. Transactional theories propose the idea that leadership is accomplished through a "stick-and-carrot" approach, and suggests that the ability to devise an appropriate system of rewards and punishments are the factors important to successful leaders. Transformative theories of leadership provide an alternative hypothesis, and imply that people can be best motivated through visionary and inspirational methods instead of the "coercion or bribery" approach of transaction theories.

Emotional Intelligence Theories

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A modern leadership theory, emerging primarily during the 1990s, suggests that "emotional intelligence" -- a combination of a person's adeptness with both social situations and psychodynamic pressures -- is the foundation for great leadership. The idea of emotional intelligence was established by psychologist Daniel Goleman, through his emotional competencies model and explained in his 1995 book, "Emotional Intelligence." Goleman, and fellow Primal Leadership authors Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee, outline six styles of leadership that evolve from differing types of emotional intelligence: affiliative, coaching, commanding (or coercive), democratic, pace-setting and visionary (or authoritative).

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What Are the Major Leadership Theories?

X By Kristyn Hammond, eHow Contributor Leadership theories try to explain why we choose the leaders whom we choose.

Leadership theories help explain how specific leaders are chosen and why some succeed while others do not. The variety of these theories ranges from inborn leaders with a perceived innate sense of command to situations that choose their own leaders, regardless of ability. Others suggest that leadership is something that can be taught.
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Theories of Leadership in Management

Definition of Leadership Theories

1. Great Man Theory

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The Great Man theory of leadership considers the existence of natural leaders, denoted by inherent traits that make them better suited to lead others. This theory suggests that you should look to history's strongest leaders for evidence both of the validity of this idea but also for examples. Unfortunately, this theory was well established prior to the modern feminist movement, so the use of the word man is literal. Still, today strong leaders are often characterized as being natural leaders or being meant to lead, suggestions that refer to them having achieved their leadership qualities through an innate process.

Contingency Theory
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The Contingency theory of leadership suggests that no single leader is ideal in every situation and that it is the unique requirements of each situation that demand a specific leadership style. This theory concentrates on the events surrounding and influencing a situation, determining what kind of leader could best serve the situation. The Contingency theory suggests that the actual qualifications of a leader may be less important than the leader's ability to understand and relate to a changing situation. Unfortunately, this theory would also mandate constant changes in leadership to meet updated demands.

Behavior Theory
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Behavior theory concentrates on the actions of individuals when determining who should lead. It discounts, or at least downplays, social and mental innate traits

such as intellect, wisdom and experience. Instead, it holds that an individual's actions are a display of their internal ideals or personal beliefs. By studying an individual's actions or behavior, you can determine if she possesses the specific and unique leadership skills that you are looking for. Further, Behavior theory suggests that individuals can be taught to be leaders, as long as they already possess behavior that suggests they have leadership qualities.
Transactional Theory
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The Transactional theory, often referred to as the management theory, suggests that individuals benefit from a hands-on leadership style. This includes a system of rewards and penalties, monitored closely by a leader who corrects errors and upholds a specific standard. The Transactional theory focuses on situations where creativity is frowned upon and only the acceptable standard is the concern, attempting to mimic a mechanistic work environment.

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