Page 8 - Trait theory of Leadership

TRAIT THEORY OF

LEADERSHIP

The Great Man Theory

• The trait approach of leadership began with the Great Man theory

• The Great Man theory is a philosophical theory that aims to explain
history by the impact of “great men”, or heroes with certain

characteristics

• The Great Man theory assumes that great leaders will arise when

there is a great need

Ahmed Carlyle (1795 – Researched the traits and

1881): Scottish writer, leadership of such men as
essayist, and historian who Jesus Christ, Muhammad,
wrote the book Heroes and Shakespeare, Martin Luther,

Hero Worship Napoleon Bonaparte, etc.

Scholarly followers of the Great Man theory
today would study the lives of such men as Sir
Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt,

Joseph Stalin, and Adolf Hitler from the Second
World War

Trait theory of Leadership –
2/1/2019 CarePoint Global leadership 8
Program