Republic of the Philippines

Surigao del Sur State University

LIANGA CAMPUS
Lianga Surigao del Sur, 8307
Website: www.sdssu.edu.ph

JOMAR R. PALMA
MAED 204 REFLECTION IN CHAPTER 4
(LEADERSHIP THEORIES)

Leaders are born not made. Individuals are born either with or without the
necessary traits for leadership. Traits theories of leadership sought personality, social,
physical or intellectual traits that differentiate leaders from non-leaders. This theory
explains the traits of a leader and these are ambitions and energy, the desire to lead,
honesty and integrity, self-confidence, intelligence, and job-relevant knowledge. If a
leader possesses these kind of traits, I am sure the his/her leadership is excellent. The
trait theory is based on the great man theory because it is systematic in its analysis to
leaders. According to this theory, a leader has supervising ability, intelligence, initiative
and a motivator. When we say motivator, a leader need for occupational achievement,
self-actualization, power over others, high financial reward and job security.
Behavioral theories of leadership are classified as such because they focus on
the study of specific behaviors of a leader. For behavioral theorists, a leader behavior is
the best predictor of his leadership influences and as a result, is the best determinant of
his or her leadership success. It is a theory that assert that people can learn how to
become leaders through teaching and observation. Behaviorist focus on the behavior of
a good leader not their traits and abilities. When the leader behaves accordingly or act
as a good and effective leader then he possesses the good behavior that a leader could
have. When we say task behavior of a leader, he facilitates goals and accomplishment
of the organization and has a relationship that helps followers feel more comfortable
around the leader and about the organization. Contingency Theories do help us
understand leadership, it is an important component is the environment in which the
leader exist that helps the leader to be effective in many ways. This theory depends
upon a proper match between a leader’s style of interacting with subordinates and the
degree to which the situation gives control and influence to the leader. Situational
leaders do not relay on one specific leadership style to get them through the
day. They use many different leadership styles, based on the situations they
 Republic of the Philippines
Surigao del Sur State University
LIANGA CAMPUS
Lianga Surigao del Sur, 8307
Website: www.sdssu.edu.ph

encounter, to provide the best results possible each time. They adapt to the
immediate situation based on the maturity of their team and the difficulty of the
tasks which must be completed. For example, a leader telling or directing to
his/her subordinates the instructions on what to do, participating and coaching
subordinates so that the task will achieve properly and close observing to
his/her employees so that he/she will guide them in achieving goals. The
leaders must have the qualities and abilities in addressing all the situation that
the organization is facing so that the goals of the group will be achieve.