1. Leadership Traits & Evolution of Leadership Theories
Yemi Makinde, Ph.D
Executive Director, Envidra
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ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

2. Introduction
We have discussed the levels of leadership and some of the enduring characteristics of leadership yesterday. Today you have reviewed and tried to identify the qualities that make you the leader who you are.
Over the years learned scholars have tried to understand what is it that makes leaders who they are and how we can replicate the traits, styles or behaviors. We review briefly the core traits and theories and provide a framework from which we can evaluate ourselves and prepare for a changed perspective of leadership.
Video & Discussion: Let us watch short video on the theories of leadership.
How presentation will benefit audience: Adult learners are more interested in a subject if they know how or why it is important to them.
Presenter’s level of expertise in the subject: Briefly state your credentials in this area, or explain why participants should listen to you.
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

3. Leadership Traits
The Major traits of Leadership that the traits theory included are as follows:
Intelligence
Self confidence
Determination and Persistence
Integrity
Sociability
Emotional Intelligence – Ability to understand emotions ( affective aspects) and apply this understanding to life tasks.
Above forms the basis of most of the leadership theories and approaches and we will try to understand the key ones that are important and more practical.
Lesson descriptions should be brief.
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

4. Leadership Skills
Focus on skills and abilities that can be learned unlike innate traits and characteristics
Disclosure – Discuss & Images based on the Northouse (2013).
3 skills approach – Technical, Human, Conceptual
Relationship between 3 skills at various levels of management
Example objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Save files to the team Web server.
Move files to different locations on the team Web server.
Share files on the team Web server.
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

5. Leadership Skills Approach
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

6. Leadership Styles Approach
Relates the behavior of managers and leaders to leadership outcomes unlike the traits approach that looks at personality and the skills approach that is based on what a leader can do.
At its heart are two fundamental approach to leadership either a task driven leadership or a relationship management approach.
Leaders can be successful in various scenarios with either of the styles but what is desirable is to have a preponderance of both styles
Let us review the Styles approach Management Grid
Two additional styles to consider - Paternalism / Materialism and Opportunism
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

7. Situational & Contingency Leadership Approach
Premise is that every situation demands different kinds of leadership.
Leadership consists of directive and supportive dimension and each will need to be applied appropriate to the situation.
To determine what is needed – LEADER must evaluate the situation and his employees to determine what is appropriate to use. Leader match style to needs of employee.
Four Leader style of situational leadership review
Refinement is the contingency model – A leader is matched to the situation – Review the contingency model
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

8. Path-Goal Theory
useful and practical approach for understanding the impact of leadership behavior on subordinate achievement and organizational effectiveness. The theory provides a rich understanding of how leaders can and have a responsibility for motivating their employees or subordinates to achieve specific operational goals.
Let us have a brief review of the approach and how it works
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

9. Leader-Member Exchange
The Leader Member Exchange (LMX) theory is a very practical and definitely a leadership theoretical approach that a lot of people can relate.
looks at leadership from the perspective of interactive dynamics between leaders and followers unlike most other theories. The basic principle of the approach is that a leader forms a unique relationship referred to as dyadic relationship with each of the follower.
two categories - In-group that built or negotiated a trusting relationship with each other (leader and follower) and those in the out-group that have not been able to bond or the leader has not been able to create a relationship with them that will allow them to relate beyond their formal roles.
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

10. LMX…contd.
in-group have more influence, may get rewards from the leader, more dependable and involved while subordinates in the out-group are not connected with the leader pretty much and are not motivated to do more than is necessary to earn their pay.
A leader’s task is to ensure that he finds ways to increase the number of subordinates in the in-group where possible to increase overall productivity.
How LMX works
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

11. Transformational Leadership
most popular and researched leadership theories are the transformational doctrines that focuses on the alluring and emotive aspects of leadership.
framework gets followers to do more by raising their awareness on and commitment to accomplish desired team goals.
transformational leadership more effective and with an active leader engagement builds on the transactional leadership and is characterized by what is commonly referred to as the four I’s – Idealized influence, Inspirational motivation, Intellectual stimulation and Individualized consideration which is the most effective
Idealized influence is when the leader serves as a charismatic role model to the followers..
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

12. Transformational Leadership
If able to create a clear and supportable vision that inspires their followers they are said to have ability for inspirational motivation
If the leader is able to engender creativity and bring about the best performance in their subordinates through challenging and raising questions then they are deemed to be able to be able to foster intellectual stimulation.
Finally a focus on individual needs ensures transformational leaders possess individualized consideration and empathy.
How it works and Details
Transformational leaders must change culture of their organizations. women are more transformational and show more evidence of these transformational leadership skills than men.
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA

13. Summary
Several theories exist for understanding and explaining leaderships. Most have some applicability and may be combined appropriately to form basis for your leader roles. Highly recommended for full understanding and practical adoption are the LMX and Transformational approaches.
Let us consider the case of DJ Focus and Richard – Case 1 to understand our leadership principles better.
ENVIDRA - Strategic Leadership Workshop, Atlanta USA