MSLD 511 Personal Blog

The Traits Based Leadership Theory assumes leaders are comprised of ingrained characteristics and not characteristics that are developed over time (Northouse, p. 19, 2016). This theory was one of the very first academic leadership theories that attempted to answer why certain individuals are effective leaders and why others are not. Characteristics woven within the Trait Theory of Leadership are: Intelligence, Self-Confidence, Determination, Integrity and Sociability (Northouse, p. 23, 2016) Traits that I employ to be an effective leader would be my honesty/integrity, and sociability. For example, if I had a follower who was incorrectly doing their work, I would not send them a passive aggressive email or tell them in a rude or abrupt manner that they are a bad employee. I would simply approach them and train or re-train them in the correct manner, applying positivity and encouragement. I am an active leader who tries to foresee potential issues and aid in the process of creating...

After a year in my first “corporate” positon as the sales lead for three different Marriott properties, I transitioned into a dental assistant position at an Endodontic practice. Having just finished my undergrad in Communications and Marketing, then being in the corporate world of meetings, emails and phone calls 24/7, being a dental assistant was a whole new world. The leadership within this practice was muddled and confusing. The doctors, of course were supposed to be the leaders, but there was also a manager who attempted to double as a leader.    In an article by Abraham Zaleznik titled Managers and Leaders: Are they different? Zaleznik breaks down the definitions and roles of a manager versus a leader as they, “differ in motivation, personal history and in how they think and act” (1977, p. 70). In Northouse’s book, Leadership Theory and Practice , he defines leadership as, “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal”...