Trait theory proposes that leadership traits are innate and certain personality traits are only found in leaders. These traits include extraversion, openness to experience, achievement orientation, dependability, and agreeableness. Extraversion increases sociability and willingness to share ideas in a group. Openness to experience fosters divergent thinking and better idea generation. Achievement orientation and dependability make leaders responsible, hard working, and organized to effectively integrate different ideas and utilize time. Agreeableness increases trust, care, tolerance, and cooperation.

2. Trait Theory
 Based on assumption that leaders are ‘born’
 Identifies some personality traits which are present in
leaders only

3. Leadership Traits
Researches show that the following traits have positive
impact on leadership
 Extraversion
 Openness to experience
 Achievement orientation
 Dependability
 Agreeableness

4. Extraversion
 Indicated by sociability as well as dominance
 Makes people friendly and warm
 Increases social interaction
extraversion increases willingness to share ideas in group
and thus enhances contribution.

5. Openness to experience
 Leads to divergent thinking
 Makes people imaginative and unconventional
It enables people to generate better ideas

6. Achievement Orientation and
dependability
 Responsible
 Hard working
 Organized
These traits enable leaders to integrate different ideas
and also to utilize time effectively.

7. Agreeableness
 Makes people trusting , caring, tolerant and co-
operative

8.  Colbert, A.E., Judge, T.A., Choi, D. and Wang, G., 2012.
Assessing the trait theory of leadership using self and
observer ratings of personality: The mediating role of
contributions to group success. The Leadership
Quarterly, 23(4), pp.670-685.