Page "Leadership" Paragraph 3

The trait theory was explored at length in a number of works in the 19th century.

Most notable are the writings of Thomas Carlyle and Francis Galton, whose works have prompted decades of research.

In Heroes and Hero Worship ( 1841 ), Carlyle identified the talents, skills, and physical characteristics of men who rose to power.

In Galton's Hereditary Genius ( 1869 ), he examined leadership qualities in the families of powerful men.

After showing that the numbers of eminent relatives dropped off when moving from first degree to second degree relatives, Galton concluded that leadership was inherited.

In other words, leaders were born, not developed.

Both of these notable works lent great initial support for the notion that leadership is rooted in characteristics of the leader.