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Traits of Effective Leaders: A Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Ardueser

    (University of the Incarnate Word, United States)

  • Kruti Lehenbauer

    (University of the Incarnate Word, United States)

Abstract

Utilizing research to identify an effective leader is essential for creating a strategic business operational leadership model. The purpose of this literature review is to focus on select objective and less objective traits of leadership among individuals who are in those positions. We explore literature on objective leadership traits such as gender, age, education level, and job satisfaction level and on the less objective traits such as integrity, energy level, and business knowledge, among others. The goal is to evaluate the hypothesis that some, if not all, of these traits contribute significantly to effective leadership by analyzing the available literature about traits of an effective leader. We will explore the theories that have been proposed on this subject in the literature, identify to what degree researchers have investigated these theories, and try to confirm which of these traits continue to significantly be related to successful leadership. The purpose of this paper is to generate a thorough literature review which can later provide a reliable platform for further qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research to create standards that business practices can utilize as a model for leadership identification and integration.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Ardueser & Kruti Lehenbauer, 2020. "Traits of Effective Leaders: A Literature Review," Proceedings of the 19th International RAIS Conference, October 18-19, 2020 021al, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:smo:bpaper:021al
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elham SHAHMANDI & Abu Daud SILONG & Ismi Arif ISMAIL, 2012. "Level Of Competencies, Gender And Leadership Effectiveness In A Research University," Management Research and Practice, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 4(1), pages 63-73, March.
    2. Timothy Besley & Jose G. Montalvo & Marta Reynal‐Querol, 2011. "Do Educated Leaders Matter?," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 121(554), pages 205-205, August.
    3. Helena Alves, 2010. "The measurement of perceived value in higher education: a unidimensional approach," The Service Industries Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(12), pages 1943-1960, December.
    4. Lahoti, Rahul & Sahoo, Soham, 2020. "Are educated leaders good for education? Evidence from India," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 42-62.
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