I had a really good class in MGMT 101 this morning, they were animated and talkative (in a good way). I wonder how much that was a consequence of having them all sit together at the front of the class.
Marie Wilson once reminded me of the difference that occurs in class dynamics as a result of how spread out the students are.
Anyway, one of the things that I don't think I made clear today, was the relationship between the Trait Approach to leadership and the music I was playing (O Superman -- see below for the details).
In a glib way, the trait approach presupposes that one either has, or doesn't have, the necessary characteristics to be a great (or heroic) leader. Alas, there are so many organisations and so few 'heroic' leaders -- that is to say, from the trait approach, perhaps the world doesn't have enough supermen/superwomen.
Actually, it is interesting to compare and contrast the Trait Approach to leadership with Jim Collins' ideas of Level 5 leadership. Although the traits are different between the two, one is still left wondering where these 'heroes' are going to come from.
References
Collins, J. C. (2001). Good to great: Why some companies make the leap--and others don't. New York: HarperBusiness.
