This posting offers psychological ideas about preferred qualities of a superior leader.

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posted by you (Submitted on Jun 27, 2007 11:36 am)

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Psychology, Personality Theory - Year 2

create personality profile of a superior leader (see details below)

I need assistance in creating a personality profile of a (known)
superior business leader. Incorporated into the profile should be
personality traits that makes them a good business leader and add any
traits that are felt necessary.  Discuss the significance of each
trait and how the major theorist would explain this individual’s
success (in detail please). Looking for lots of detail to include in a
major project.---references please.

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12 credit(s)

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Jul 02, 2007 11:36 am

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HYPERLINK "javascript:otaProfile(104719)" 104719, Stacy, Shaneyfelt,
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Shaneyfelt, MA

(Submitted on Jun 28, 2007 1:57 am)

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As you create a personality profile of a known superior business leader,
it is probably best to use Oprah since she is so famous. Please allow
some of my notes to help you:

First, Oprah Winfrey is a pivotal business figure. She embodies numerous
traits of success in terms of her personality, ideology, work ethic, as
well as her humanistic approaches to business and leadership. For
example, please note how her humble attitude affords her a
down-to-Earth, sincere, and genuine persona as both a leader and figure.
Please note her quote, “I am most proud of the magazine, because I did
not know what I was doing”
(http://icmr.icfai.org/casestudies/Oprah%20Winfrey9.htm). This proud yet
modest approach to business is inspirational.  Her leadership is also
amplified by her ability “to balance practicality and
preaching”  (http://icmr.icfai.org/casestudies/Oprah%20Winfrey9.htm)
.

As you apply theory, please note that Trait Theory is one area to use to
assess Winfrey. Since this research shows the links “among jobs,
self-image, roles of social class, intelligence, orientation to size and
power, orientation to social valuation”
(academic.udayton.edu/AnnePfohl/handouts/Career theory.pdf), Winfrey’s
background seems to embody these traits. Winfrey is aware of the
intersections of race, gender, and class. She also empowers workers and
people, regardless of social status. She is quite equitable in her
approach to projects and people.  

As mentioned, Trait Theory suggests that people are born with certain
qualities for leadership roles. Therefore, Winfrey’s style is so
natural even iconic. Research about Trait Theory shows that “innate
personality characteristics or traits are thus an integral part of
leadership”
(http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/encyclopedia/Kor-Man/Leadership.htm
l#TRAIT_AND_PROCESS_APPROACHES). Thus, this theory is feasible since it
almost seems like Winfrey’s personal and business traits are gifts;
she is a mentor and leader of almost infinite proportions. She seems
innate because she is so natural and organic in her personality and
business demeanor.

Because her optimistic vision allows workers and stakeholders to be
happy, satisfied, and collaborative, Trait Theory may explain her
personality and business philosophies. Please note how she says, "My
philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing
the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment"
(http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00160/l_oprahwinfrey.html). You
might also notice how Trait Theory affects work dynamics because it
influences other factors such as social space and climate. Since Oprah
seems to adjust, compromise, trade-off, and even “sacrifice interests
before prestige or gender type”
(academic.udayton.edu/AnnePfohl/handouts/Career theory.pdf), she may
conform to this theory.

Since Oprah applies a process approach or almost a quest or calling in
terms of her leadership and business style, you might also apply Trait
Theory. Please note how research calls her “the first African-American
woman to become a billionaire, Oprah overcame her own trials and
tribulations stemming from child abuse”
(http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/development/a/womenbiz.htm).

Besides Trait Theory, you might note that Levinson’s Theory of Seasons
of Adulthood might also apply to Winfrey. Levinson maintains that all
adults have a life structure or pattern, a design of a person’s life
at a given time. This structure acts like a framework. Just as a house
has a framework, all adults develop by having this concept. You might
examine Winfrey’s past, obstacles, journey, and resiliency using this
theory. Levinson further targets the role of the mentor, so Winfrey
definitely exhibits that trait. She is always there to help and inspire.
Levinson “believes that the mentor can be found in the work setting or
in a more personal setting”
(http://www.hope.edu/academic/psychology/335/webrep2/mentor.html). Oprah
seems to occupy that dual role quite well.

Because of her personal and professional resiliency, I go back to Trait
Theory. It might be further applicable because it not only focuses on
cognitive factors that underlie a leader’s performance but also her
“methods, means, pathways to creating meaning from what we do, how we
interact” (academic.udayton.edu/AnnePfohl/handouts/Career theory.pdf).
This interaction is definitely a factor for Winfrey because she
encourages positive group collaborations and team work in all business
and leadership endeavors.

Because Trait Theory research shows that leaders have different forms of
“intelligence, alertness, insight, responsibility, initiative,
persistence, self-confidence, and sociability”
(http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/encyclopedia/KorMan/Leadership.html
#TRAIT_AND_PROCESS_APPROACHES), Winfrey’s attributes correlate quite
well. For example, research cites, “as Oprah’s wealth and influence
have grown, so has her compassion. In 2000, Oprah's Angel Network began
presenting a $100,000 "Use Your Life Award" to people who helped improve
the lives of others. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Oprah has
donated more than $50 million to charity, including 50 local
organizations such as the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Children's
Memorial Hospital and the Chicago Academy of the Arts. After selling off
some of her clothes, Oprah donated a box full of money—including a $1
million check—to Chicago’s Providence St. Mel School”
(http://myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=oprahhero).  

Five-factor theory is also applicable to Winfrey’s style since she
exemplifies traits such as “trust, Straightforwardness, Altruism,
Compliance, Modesty, Tender-mindedness”
(http://psych.umb.edu/faculty/roemer/traits05.htm). These traits are
suggested through her charitable and business work. Please note her
sense of altruism as in The Oprah Winfrey Foundation. Research attests
that it “was established to support the inspiration, empowerment,
education and well-being of women, children and families around the
world. Oprah has contributed millions of dollars towards providing a
better education for underserved students”
(http://myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=oprahhero). In terms of her
tender-mindedness, theorists might also examine Oprah’s influence and
generosity as strong traits. Please note how research shows
how  “She has used her power and status to remind the world of the
AIDS pandemic in South Africa; she has introduced new and old readers to
numerous authors and hidden literary masterpieces; she has inspired us
with her openness and compassion and vision of a better world”
(http://myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=oprahhero).

Lastly, Trait Theory identifies a leader’s qualities. Key features
such as “drive for responsibility and task completion; vigor and
persistence in pursuit of goals; "venturesomeness" and originality in
problem solving; drive to exercise initiative in social situations;
self-confidence and sense of personal identity; willingness to accept
consequences of decision and action; readiness to absorb interpersonal
stress; willingness to tolerate frustration and delay; ability to
influence other people's behavior; and the capacity to structure social
interaction systems to the purpose at hand”
(http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/encyclopedia/Kor-Man/Leadership.htm
l#TRAIT_AND_PROCESS_APPROACHES) and many other characteristics are
mentioned. Winfrey seems to encompass each trait fully and authentically
in business, personality, leadership, and interactions.

In terms of other theories, please also consider how Winfrey also
reveals Humanistic Theories. Please note her reliance upon free will as
she shows that people are responsible for their own lives and actions.
She holds her staff and herself accountable during business
interactions. Her leadership style resonates with compassion and
empathy. To illustrate, research recalls “Oprah's biggest secret to
business success as her advice, “Follow your bliss”

(http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=120
48). Since Humanist theorists emphasize “the importance of free will
and individual experience in the development of personality”
(http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologystudyguides/a/personalitysg_3.
htm), Oprah shows those attributes through this slogan.  Humanist
theorists also focus on “the concept of self-actualization, which is
an innate need for personal growth that motivates behavior"
(http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologystudyguides/a/personalitysg_3.
htm). In turn, Oprah definitely shows those traits.

Please also consider applying Humanists such as Maslow. Please note how
he and others see the individual as very powerful, so Oprah’s strong
will, motivation, and drive definitely correlate. Research also shows
that “while they may argue humanistic theory does not go far enough,
they see the benefit of the core components in helping people change”
(http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/humanistic_research.html).
Winfrey’s dedication and belief in change definitely fits with this
theory as well as Maslow’s Hierarchy. Since Humanists “strike an
undertone in all of what is considered human”

(http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/humanistic_research.html),
Oprah’s entire aura and mission embody that premise.

In addition, you might also correlate Rogers’ three "core conditions"
in terms of Oprah’s leadership and personality. Since humanists like
Rogers advocate a direct personal encounter with the client, it allows
clients to be themselves. Oprah strives to implement this type of
ideology into her work. Since prizing, acceptance, and trust are also
essential components of humanism, Oprah definitely exhibits those
attributes.

Please note how research conveys Roger’s theories about prizing,
acceptance, trust. His work deals with “a basic trust - a belief that
this other person is somehow fundamentally trustworthy… What we are
describing is a prizing of the learner as an imperfect human being with
many feelings, many potentialities. The facilitator’s prizing or
acceptance of the learner is an operational expression of her essential
confidence and trust in the capacity of the human
organism”(http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-rogers.htm). Since Winfrey
shows total faith, acceptance, and regard for her colleagues, guests,
and business stakeholders globally, she shows these notions.

In addition, please note Rogers’ use of empathic understanding.  He
asserts that a “further element that establishes a climate for
self-initiated experiential learning is emphatic understanding. When the
teacher has the ability to understand the student’s reactions from the
inside, has a sensitive awareness of the way the process of education
and learning seems to the student, then again the likelihood of
significant learning is increased…. [Students feel deeply
appreciative] when they are simply understood – not evaluated, not
judged, simply understood from their own point of view, not the
teacher’s” (http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-rogers.htm). Since
Winfrey’s traits are much like a teacher’s or facilitator’s, she
shows empathy in her work and attitude. She shows so much respect and
passion for interpersonal relationships; she seems to cherish those
personal moments and interactions.

When further assessing Winfrey with Rogers’ theory, please note that
she shows unconditional positive regard as a leader and host. She gives
the guests, her magazine, and staff  full attention without judging or
evaluating them. She also displays empathic understanding as she tries
to walk in the guests’ shoes wherever they are culturally,
economically, emotionally and socially.

Another idea is to correlate Jung's theory since Oprah seems to
represent the mother archetype; she serves as a mother-substitute or
nurturer to so many people in the business and talk show world. Jung’s
work asserts that “the mother archetype is a particularly good
example. All of our ancestors had mothers. We have evolved in an
environment that included a mother or mother-substitute. We would never
have survived without our connection with a nurturing-one during our
times as helpless infants. It stands to reason that we are "built" in a
way that reflects that evolutionary environment: We come into this world
ready to want mother, to seek her, to recognize her, to deal with her”
(http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/jung.html).

Since Oprah’s caring demeanor lends itself to this parallel, please
note that “the mother archetype is our built-in ability to recognize a
certain relationship, that of "mothering." Jung says that this is rather
abstract, and we are likely to project the archetype out into the world
and onto a particular person, usually our own mothers. Even when an
archetype doesn't have a particular real person available, we tend to
personify the archetype, that is, turn it into a mythological
"story-book" character. This character symbolizes the archetype”
(http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/jung.html). She offers encouraging
feedback, smiles, hugs, and an overall nurturing persona. She seems to
project this archetype to viewers and staff.

Since Winfrey’s success is also gendered and cultured, you might look
at Fromm’s theory to acknowledge her traits. Since Fromm assesses
personality as a “reflection of such issues as social class, minority
status, education, vocation, religious and philosophical background, and
so forth” (http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/fromm.html), this theory
might offer insights.

Similarly, Adler’s theory is also applicable. Since she instills a
strong sense of  community and collaboration, you might want to
explore Adler’s theory. Adler argues that “if people have developed
social interest at the affective level, they are likely to feel a deep
belonging to the human race and, as a result, are able to empathize with
their fellow humans. They can then feel very much at home on the earth
-- accepting both the comforts as well as the discomforts of life”
(http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hstein/theoprac.htm). This
theory might also be applicable because Adler's theory talks about
interconnectedness among people, a trait that this leader also
advocates, especially with her work in Africa starting her schools.