Character Traits Leadership Theory identifies which set of traits as differentiating leaders?

• A. Creativity, risk tolerance, technical skill
• B. Empathy, communication, patience
• C. Physical energy, high intelligence, prosocial influence
• D. Authority, decisiveness, charisma

Answer: (C)

Character Traits Leadership Theory rests on the idea that certain enduring qualities set leaders apart from nonleaders. The trio of physical energy, high intelligence, and prosocial influence embodies the kind of internal resources leaders are thought to rely on: energy to sustain long, demanding work; high intelligence to understand problems, learn quickly, and adapt; and prosocial influence to positively guide others toward shared goals. This combination captures the notion that leaders are distinguished by both their ability to act decisively and their capacity to energize and align people for beneficial outcomes. Other trait groupings either emphasize skills that can be learned or behaviors tied to style or position rather than enduring differentiators, so they don’t fit as well with this theory.