Models of Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Models of Leadership - Essay Example & Angelo K., 2004). This factor is the key in leadership. There are a number of leadership styles that are proposed in various books journals, periodicals and the internet. In this paper, only some of them are discussed very briefly as it is not possible to discuss each and every leadership style also these are discussed briefly so that these can be applied to the selected organization in much more detail. But are these styles of leadership actually followed in the organizations today To look into the practical application of the various leadership styles, a company that specializes in the manufacturing of computer hardware components, Softech Company is selected and leadership styles followed at two different levels of management are discussed and analyzed. There is an in-depth analysis conducted on the style of leadership that these managers follow and the way they deal with their subordinates and what influence their subordinates have through their personalities. For the purpose of analyzing the application of leadership, Softech Company was selected. The company background and rationale for selection is discussed later in the paper. Two levels of the organization were focused for the analysis of the leadership style possessed by the leaders. One top level executive was chosen for the purpose of analysis and another middle level manager's leadership style was studied. The names and complete designations are kept confidential as the respondents didn't want to disclose this information. The styles of these managers vary broadly in terms of their approach to the tasks and subordinates. Models of Leadership Definitions The different models of leadership that will be discussed in this section are discussed under three theories of leadership, namely; 1. Trait Theory 2. Behavior Theory 3. Situational Theory The different models under these theories are discussed below: 1. Trait Theory This theory is based on the presumptions that leaders are born with some special traits. These traits are not possessed by those people who follow the leaders and are unique to the leaders only. Stogdill's & Mann's Research The specific traits that are possessed by the leaders (Stogdill R., 1948) that differentiate the leaders from others (Mann R., 1959) are five in number and are as follows: a. height of energy and activity b. intelligence c. self-confidence d. task relevant knowledge e. dominance Other Traits by Various Leaders Various famous leaders in the organizations have identified a number of traits that they think are possessed by the leaders. These traits are as in the table 1 in the appendix. Thus, these traits were identified by various leaders and all of them have different traits identified but the common element still remains the 'social influence'. 1. Behavior Theory Unlike the trait theory, the behavioral aspect of leadership focuses on the behaviors of the leaders