Great Man and Trait Theories

Two of the topics discussed in last week’s class were ones that peaked my interest were emotional intelligence and McClelland's Achievement Motivation Theory. Emotional intelligence describes your overall ability to work well with people. It is measured by what is called an emotional quotient (EQ), which is the ratio of four different characteristics in proportion to one another; the four characteristics are self-awareness, social-awareness, self-management, and relationship management. McClelland's Achievement Motivation Theory “attempts to explain and predict behavior and performance based on a person’s need for achievement, power, and affiliation.” According to McCllellland, a certain combination of achievement, power, and affiliation in a person result in a person who is an effective leader. The are several different types of tests ad studies that may tell a person whether or not they are emotional intelligent or an effective leader, but I personally believe that a study or test does not determine whether or not a person is an effective leader or emotionally intelligent; I believe that a person’s actions the ones that truly indicate whether a person is emotionally intelligent and/or are an effective leader.

One person that I believe has high emotional intelligence would be my mom. In her team at work, she interacts well with all of her colleagues. She also is aware of how her current emotions affect others around her; if she is depressed, others in her team are, so everyday she tries to put her “best foot forward” when it comes to her attitude. She is able to empathize with others around her who are having a hard time, and help them come to a better mind set about their predicament. Overall, My mom shows that she has self-awareness of how her emotions affect others, social awareness in her ability to relate to her colleagues, self-management skills when it comes to altering her attitude, and relationship management skills when it comes to working with others. 

Personally, I believe that my TRACK an Field coach from high school is an effective leader, not because a study or test proves that he is, but because I have seen him demonstrate a need for achievement, power, and affiliation. One of the things he most wanted to achieve was a Sierra League Championship title in the years that I was his athlete. He also wanted each of his athletes to enjoy the sport and succeed in their chosen field. He also demonstrated the power he had in his role as a coach; you respected him and, moreover, you trusted him. He had the ability to pull a person out of a race, as well as put a person into one.  He did not abuse his power, and he use it when necessary. He also like being affiliated with the school team he helped coach; he was proud to be the coach of the Saint Lucy’s Reagents, and never regretted his coaching position. Because he wanted to achieve a goal for his team, display his power as a coach, and be affiliated with a school he supported proudly, I believe he is a role model for an effective leader, simply because he displayed all three characteristics that are prevalent in McClelland's Achievement Motivation Theory.