LEADERSHIP THEORIES

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 2.0 LEADERSHIP THEORIES

  • Contingency Theory

  • Situational Leadership Theory

  • Transformational Leadership Theory

  • Transactional Theories

  • Behavioral Theory

  • Great Man Theory of Leadership

  • Trait Theory of Leadership

 Contingency Theory

According to this view, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership that can be applied to all situations. In other words, it acknowledges that there may be variables impacting any given scenario, and that a leader must pick the best course of action while taking those variables into account.

"Effective leadership is about striking the proper balance between needs, context, and behavior," say leadership researchers White and Hodgson. The best leaders not only have the correct attributes, but also the capacity to recognize their followers' requirements, understand the situation, and act appropriately.

Source :EPM (2018)

 Situational Theory

Leadership is affected by the situation

(a)    Previous experiences, Personality, Closeness to people etc.

(b)    When managing staff you need to make judgments about the extent to which you direct their work, coach them, support or delegate task to them

If the staff member’s confidence is high, but his or her competence is low, their work will need to be directed carefully.

If the staff member’s competence and confidence are both on the low side, he or she will need coaching.

If the staff member is highly competent, but lacks confidence, he or she will need to be supported and encouraged.

If the staff member is very able at their work, and has the confidence and motivation to do it, then his or her manager should delegate the work.


Source : B2U  ( 2020)

Transformational Leadership Theory

Relationship theories, also known as Transformational Leadership theory, focuses on the relationship between leaders and followers. This theory discusses the type of inspiring and motivational leader who inspires his or her followers to change and improve at a mission.

Transformational leaders are traditionally guided by their ability to demonstrate to their followers the importance of the challenge and the greater benefit that results from completing it. These leaders are not only concerned with the team's success, but also with providing individual team members with the necessary encouragement to achieve their full potential. These leadership theories will assist you in honing your abilities.

 

 



Source :American Nurse (2018)

The following are some of the characteristics of transformational leaders.

  • Keep their ego in check
  • Self-management
  • Ability to take the right risks
  • Make difficult decisions
  • Share collective organizational consciousness
  • Inspirational
  • Entertain new ideas
  • Adaptability

  

Transactional Theories

Transactional Theories, also referred to as Management theories or exchange leadership theories, revolve around the role of supervision, organization, and teamwork. These leadership theories consider rewards and punishments as the basis for leadership actions. This is one of the oft-used theories in business, and the proponents of this leadership style use rewards and punishments to motivate employees.




 

Source :EPM (2018)

What is transactional Leadership


The Definition

Transactional leadership is defined by control, organization, and short-term planning.

Leaders who adopt this style rely on a system of rewards and punishment to motivate their followers.

There are also a few key assumptions associated with transactional leadership:

Rewards and punishments are motivating for followers

Adhering to the instructions of the leader is the primary goal of followers

Followers have to be monitored to ensure that performance standards are met


Here are some of the characteristics of transactional leaders:

  • Focused on short-term goals
  • Favor structured policies and procedures
  • Thrive on following rules and doing things correctly
  • Revel in efficiency
  • Very left-brained
  • Tend to be inflexible
  • Opposed to change


 Behavioral Theory


In the Behavioral Theory, the emphasis shifts from the traits or qualities of leaders to their behaviors and actions. In sharp contrast to the Great Man Theory and the trait approach to leadership, this theory considers effective leadership to be the result of many learned or acquired skills. It proposes that an individual can learn to become a good leader. This is one of the best leadership theories.


Types of behavioral leadership


There are several key styles of behavioral leadership. Each one involves a different set of behaviors and may be more or less effective in certain work environments:


  • People-oriented leaders
  • Task-oriented leaders
  • Participative leaders
  • Status-quo leaders
  • Indifferent leaders
  • Dictatorial leaders
  • Country club leaders
  • Sound leaders
  • Opportunistic leaders
  • Paternalistic leaders
  • Great Man Theory of Leadership


This is one of the earliest leadership theories and is based on the assumption that leadership is an inborn phenomenon and that leaders are "born" rather than "made." According to this theory, a person capable of leading has the personality traits of a leader — charm, confidence, intellect, communication skills, and social aptitude — from birth, which set them apart. This theory emphasizes leadership as a quality that you either possess or you don't; it isn't something that you can learn. 


While the theory can seem discouraging to those learning the ropes of leadership, you may take comfort in the fact that it is dismissed by most modern theorists and even some leaders themselves. It's also an intriguing perspective on leadership, one that emphasizes the characteristics of great leaders that have remained largely unchanged over time.


 The further implications of the theory that leaders are born and not made, are as follows:


(i) Leaders are gifts of God to mankind. A measure of divinity is attributed to leaders and their actions.


(ii) Everyone cannot aspire to become a leader and to attain greatness.


(iii) The inborn leadership qualities alone are necessary and sufficient for a leader to exercise influence over his followers and to become successful.


(iv) Leadership qualities and effectiveness are independent variables. Situational factors like the nature and needs of followers, the demands of task and the general socio­economic environment have little or no influence on a leader’s emergence or effectiveness.


(v) The theory discounts the belief that individuals can be trained for assuming leadership positions and roles. Leadership qualities cannot be transmitted through education and exposure.


Trait Theory


Leadership qualities are inborn in the Individual /more than Average


  • Energy
  • Appearance, presentation skills
  • A sense of Cooperativeness
  • Enthusiasm
  • Personality
  • Initiative
  • Intelligence
  • Judgement
  • Self -confidence
  • Sociability
  • Tact and diplomacy
  • Moral Courage and integrity
  • Will power and flexibility
  • Emotional stability
  • Knowledge and Human relations


 These characteristics are not found in all people. These characteristics are not shared by all leaders. Not all of these characteristics are useful at all times. Although some of these characteristics distinguish good managers and leaders from ineffective managers and leaders, it is the actions of leaders, whether as a result of these characteristics or not, that is more concrete and apparent and less abstract than traits. Person and group worker activity, absences, turnover, and employee morale are all directly linked to leadership behaviour. These are, to some extent, measures of the efficacy of leadership action.


Reference

American Nurse (2018) Inspire others through transformational leadership. American Nurse [online] available at https://www.myamericannurse.com/inspire-transformational-leadership/ Accessed on May 25, 2021,

BND (2018) Ways to define leadership. Business News Daily [online] available at https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3647-leadership-definition.html accessed on May 25, 2021

B2U (2020) Hersey and blanchard situational leadership model: adapting the leadership style to the follower. Business-To-You [online] available at https://www.business-to-you.com/hersey-blanchard-situational-leadership-model/ accessed on May 25, 2021,

 

Chand S (2014) Great man theory and trait theory of leadership. Your Article Library  [online] available at https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/leadership/great-man-theory-and-trait-theory-of-leadership/28004 accessed on May 21, 2021

EPM (2018) Fiedler’s contingency theory of leadership. Expert Progamme Management [online] available at https://expertprogrammanagement.com/2018/11/fiedler-contingency-theory/ accessed on May 20, 2021,

EPM (2018) Transactional leadership. Expert Progamme Management [online] available at https://expertprogrammanagement.com/2020/03/transactional-leadership/ accessed on May 20, 2021,

iEduNote (2021) 4 leadership style based on authority. iEduNote [online] available at https://www.iedunote.com/leadership-styles-based-authority accessed on May 14, 2021

Simplilearn (2020) 7 major leadership theories every manager should master in 2021. Silplilearn [online] available at https://www.simplilearn.com/top-leadership-theories-every-manager-should-know-article accessed on May 20, 2021

Y Scouts (2014) Eight types of leadership power. Y Scouts [online] available at https://yscouts.com/blog/types-of-leadership-power/ accessed on May 25, 2021



Comments

  1. Saman JayasundaraMay 26, 2021 at 12:00 PM

    By using these theories of leadership we can analyze our leadership strength and fulfill our business /personal goals by easier way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dinesha SenevirathnaMay 26, 2021 at 10:55 PM

      True. They are very helpful in analysing business goals.

      Delete
  2. Prasanna Rajapaksha May 27, 2021 at 10:31 AM

    Very good

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thusitha WarnakulasooriyaMay 27, 2021 at 11:37 AM

    Comprehensive article identified core leadership theories.

    ReplyDelete
  4. GeethikaMay 27, 2021 at 2:18 PM

    We can get an idea how a leader should act to the different situation that can be faced in the organization

    ReplyDelete
  5. SUNETH GAMLATHMay 27, 2021 at 4:14 PM

    We can identified leadership theories clearly from this article.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chamil FernandoMay 28, 2021 at 2:51 PM

    You have summarized core leadership theories in this article clearly.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ChandanaJune 12, 2021 at 8:12 PM

    Theoretical explanations of how and why some people become leaders are known as leadership theories. They concentrate on the qualities and actions that people might develop in order to improve their leadership abilities. Well explained.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:33 PM

    A descriptive article which includes many important facts about leadership theories

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:41 PM

    Effective leaders have the ability to communicate well, motivate their team, handle and delegate responsibilities, listen to feedback, and have the flexibility to solve problems in an ever-changing workplace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dinesha SenevirathnaJune 12, 2021 at 11:47 PM

      Yes agree with your idea,,,, Thanks for your comment

      Delete
  10. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:41 PM

    Motivating employees, inspiring them, and fostering enthusiasm for projects is one of the most important leadership qualities and a key to success because only motivated employees are good employees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dinesha SenevirathnaJune 12, 2021 at 11:55 PM

      Getting employees motivated will more challenging with their attitudes as well. Thank you for the comment

      Delete
  11. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:42 PM

    Many important theories are explained in this article.Good work done

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:42 PM

    In difficult times like today, it's tricky to think about how you can move from addressing the needs of the now while preparing for what comes next, but you can be sure of one thing: Leaders in the future will need to have Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:43 PM

    A successful leader is an influencer who can inspire, motivate and get the best out of their people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dinesha SenevirathnaJune 12, 2021 at 11:50 PM

      Yes agree with your idea,,,, Thanks for your comment

      Delete
  14. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:44 PM

    A leader doesn't assume a leadership role simply because someone hands them a title; instead, a true leader is born when trust has been established on both sides, and the team looks to the leader to lead them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dinesha SenevirathnaJune 12, 2021 at 11:57 PM

      If not, the leader will be failed soon. Thank you for your idea.

      Delete
  15. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:45 PM

    Without passion, a leader will not make the necessary courageous and difficult decisions and carry them into action

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dinesha SenevirathnaJune 12, 2021 at 11:58 PM

      The passion of a leader also will be a motivation for the employees.

      Delete
  16. UnknownJune 12, 2021 at 10:46 PM

    An effective leader is someone with a dream and a vision that will better society, or at least, some portion of it.

    ReplyDelete

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