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What is Leadership?
The ability to influence a group toward the achievement of goals.
LEADERSHIP THEORIES.
Trait Theories
Theories that consider personal qualities and characteristics that differentiate
leaders from non-leaders.
Some traits increase the likelihood of success as a leader, but none of them
guarantee success.
Some limitations to trait theories. There are no universal traits - traits appear to
predict leadership in selective situations only; Traits generally predict behavior in
weak vs. strong situations; cause and effect relationships are not clear; do
traits simply predict the appearance of leadership rather than effective vs.
ineffective leadership.
Behavioral Theories
Theories proposing that specific behaviors differentiate leaders from nonleaders.
Ohio State Studies
Concern for people vs. concern for production (i.e. 81 different styles on which a
leader's behavior may fall)
Scandinavian Studies
Contingency Theories
Five contingency models are explored...(what works in one organization may
not work in another; e.g., Linda Wachner of Warnaco, p. 319)
Fiedler Model
Effective group performance depends upon the proper match between the
leader's style of interacting with subordinates and the degree to which the
situation gives control and influence to the leader. Assumes an individual's
leadership style is fixed.
Leader-member relations
Task structure
Position power
Match leaders and situations
*Cognitive resource theory: stress unfavorably affects a situation. Intelligence
and experience can lessen the influence of stress on the leader
Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Theory
Leader-Participation Model
Provides a set of rules to determine the form and amount of participative
decision making in different situations. There are now 12 contingency
variables in the latest revision of this model (please see page 327). This
model is often too complicated for managers/leaders to actually put into place
in organizations.
Summary and Implications for Managers
Leaders usually are the members of an organization who provide the direction
toward goal attainment.
Re: Traits - Generally speaking, individuals who are ambitious; have high
energy, a desire to lead, self-confidence, intelligence, and are flexible are
more likely to succeed as leaders than those without these traits.
No particular style (behavioral theories) is effective in all situations
Contingency models help us better understand leadership. Consider..Task
structure of the job, level of situational stress, group support, leader
intelligence and experience, and follower characteristics (personality,
experience, ability and motivation)