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Lesson 2: Trait Approach
Variables for Leadership
The following are the five most consistently discriminating variables for leadership emergence and effectiveness, along with their most salient features:
- Intelligence: Having good reasoning and thinking capabilities, as well as developed verbal ability, and using sound judgment in solving problems and making decisions
- Self-confidence: A strong sense of one's ability to produce desired outcomes that can influence risk-taking and the acquisition of others' trust
- Determination: Drive, initiative, and a willingness to be assertive and show dominance, if necessary in situations arises in which others may need direction.
- Integrity: Trustworthiness, the capacity for inspiring confidence in others, honesty, dependability, and loyalty to others on whom one depends for this or her success
- Sociability: A quality characterized by courtesy, tact, diplomacy, friendliness, and the inclination maintain pleasant social relationships
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Reference: Kirkpatrick, S. A., & Locke, E. A. (1991). Leadership: Do traits matter?" Academy of Management Executive, 5(2), 48-60.