Lesson 2: The Theories of Leadership

A leader takes people where
they want to go. A great leader

takes people where they
dont necessarily
want to go,
but ought to be.
-Rosalynn Carter
Lesson 2:
The Theories
of Leadership
1. What is the evolutionary

process of leadership theories?
o
Great man theories were the

first attempt in studying
leadership.
o
-Based on the idea that

leaders are born.
Additional approaches have

been developed trait
theories, behavioral
theories, and modern-day
contingency theories.
Emphasis today is that
leadership styles should
match the situation at hand,
which is a contingency
approach.
2. What are the major

conclusions of the trait theories?
First
major study searched for traits that differentiated leaders from

followers.
Researched
focused heavily on personality characteristics.
Stogdill/Mann
identified five important traits found more in leaders

than followers.
Intelligence,
self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability.

Intelligence most important.
Leadership
skills can be developed and nurtured.
Organizations
need to spend time and resources in training leaders to

acquire certain desirable traits.
3. What is the skills approach to

leadership?
Robert
Katzs research
surfaced a set of skills for
leadership success.
Skill 1-Technical skills
involving hands-on
activity.
Skill 2 -Human skills
which is the ability to
work with people.
-Greatest asset to have.
Skill
3 -Conceptual skills
having ability to work
with ideas and concepts.
4. What are the major conclusions

of the behavioral Theories?
The
University of Michigan
Studies
Identified 2 Leadership
Behaviors
Employee-Centered
Production-Centered
Leaders interested in
their subordinates as
people, encourage
worker participation in
the organizational
goal-setting process.
Leaders emphasized
technical aspects of
job, set job standards,
close supervision of
subordinates.
1940s saw that

leadership effectiveness
was dependent upon
leader behavior.
Rensis Likerts Michigan
Studies surfaced two
forms of leader
behaviorjob-centered
(production) and
employee-centered.
-Attempt made to
balance task and
relationship emphasis.
4. Behavioral Theories continued

Ohio
State Studies
also revealed two
leadership forms.
-Used questionnaire
to assess employee
perceptions of
leaders.
-Consideration
behavior (concern for
feelings).
-Initiating structure
(defining roles).
4. Behavioral Theories continued

Managerial/Leadership
Grid
developed by Blake &

Mouton.
-Two dimensions similar to

Michigan/Ohio State Studies.
-Concern for subordinates
and concern for
production/results.
-9.9 is the ideal team
approach on grid-balance of
task and relationship.
-This research influenced
modern contingency
approaches of today.
Wren p. 147
5. What are the major components of

the Contingency Theories?
Contingency theory
identifies:
-Key situational
factors,
-Specifies how they
interact, and
-Determines best
leadership approach.
-This is called
situational
leadership.
5. Contingency Theories
continued
Situational leadership is
built upon the
contingency theory, and
refined by Ken
Blanchard in the 1980s.
Leadership is composed
of both a directive and
supportive dimension.
Coaching and
delegating were added
to provide four styles.
continued
Path-Goal Theory
developed by Evans &
House.
-Adapting leadership
to the situation.
-Leader can impact
performance of others
by offering paths to
desired goals.
-Rewards contingent
on increased
performance.
continued
Four leader behaviors:
-Directive: gives specific

guidance and direction.
-Supportive: provides
assistance.
-Participative: hand-inhand with subordinates.
-Achievement Oriented:
sets challenging goals and
has high expectations.
Best style to use is to

adapt to the participative
leadership style.
6. Differentiate Between
Transactional and
Transformational.
Two emerging
leadership
perspectives:
-Transactional which
focuses on leader and
follower relationships.
-Transformational
(called charismatic)
focuses on creating
vision, purpose, or
mission.
Transactional and
Transformational.
Transactional
leadership places
emphasis on
managerial theories
(Social-Exchange)
-Keys are role of

leader, group, and
performance.
-Reward and
punishment system.
-Build healthy
relationships.
Transactional and
Transformational.
Transformational
leadership
motivates followers
to:
-do more than is

expected.
-see raised value in
tasks.
-put groups
common cause in
front of individual
needs.

Lesson 2: The Theories of Leadership

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 2: The Theories of Leadership

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 2: The Theories of Leadership

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

A leader takes people where

they want to go. A great leader

1. What is the evolutionary

Great man theories were the

-Based on the idea that

Additional approaches have

2. What are the major

major study searched for traits that differentiated leaders from

focused heavily on personality characteristics.

identified five important traits found more in leaders

self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability.

skills can be developed and nurtured.

need to spend time and resources in training leaders to

3. What is the skills approach to

-Greatest asset to have.

4. What are the major conclusions

1940s saw that

4. Behavioral Theories continued

4. Behavioral Theories continued

developed by Blake &

-Two dimensions similar to

5. What are the major components of

Four leader behaviors:

-Directive: gives specific

Best style to use is to

-Keys are role of

-do more than is

You might also like