Traits and behavior: Psychological approaches to leadership

Abstract

The concept of leadership is an oft-discussed issue among practitioners and scholars alike without regard to culture, background, or organizational affiliation. Based on our international experiences, leadership is an art that is traditionally taught as a science which is impacted via various psychological concepts. It is both a natural phenomenon and a learned attribute that is planted, nurtured, developed, and tested over time. Certain leadership approaches are formal, only succeeding in formal settings and environments while others are dependent upon conditioning of the leader. Regardless of one’s leadership style and characteristics, it is critical that both leaders and followers define and understand the variances between failure and success within an organization. This chapter addresses international leadership styles and the psychological theories that support differing approaches assisting the reader to more clearly understand and identify the subtle differences in the development of a successful leader and organization from global perspectives.

Citation

Hughbank, R.J. and Horn, L.C. (2013), "Traits and behavior: Psychological approaches to leadership", Collective Efficacy: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on International Leadership (Advances in Educational Administration, Vol. 20), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 245-260. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3660(2013)0000020014