Trait Studies-Theories of Leadership:
A) The "great man" approach
B) Traits are distinguishing personal characteristics of a leader such as intelligence, values, appearance, etc.
C) Trait studies sought to identify characteristics common to leaders:
- compared leaders with non-leaders; successful versus unsuccessful leaders.
D) But little theoretical progress made:
- traits the effect, not the cause?
- focus shifted to the “leadership behaviour”: what leaders do instead than what they are.