Contingency Versus Situational Theory: Different Concepts Of Leadership

Having looked at these modules and the themes associated with it, I have come to understand that there are different styles of leadership in a wider scope. Leadership was the ability for me to lead people through my path and help them achieve their personal goals, but now I can understand in a more defined way that leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individual to achieve a common goal Northhouse (2013). Leadership is something that is always around us either in business, sports, movies and even family. In my field of work as a sales representative I have a chain of management from sales managers, general sales manager and general managers, these are all roles of leadership as well as my fellow subordinates we

The part of this module that resonated with me is the Contingency Versus Situational theory, as leaders you have to be able to switch and adapt their style as different situation arise. Situational approach is broken down into two main dimensions, which is the directive (task) and supportive (relationship) behaviours. “The premise of the theory is that different situations demand different kinds of leadership” Northhouse (2013, p.99). This is something that stood out to me as I thought that having one approach and finding the people that best fit that approach was the best but having gone through this module my understanding about leadership has thus changed into understanding the different approaches and how leaders should adapt to different situations. Also the roles of leaders was a topic that stood out as well, I had little knowledge of what exactly makes up a leader and what traits, skills and styles that are attributed to great leaders, this module showed me that there are different traits associated with leaderships; many researchers have come to the conclusion that leaders will have certain attribute that will make them unique. Stogdill’s on his several surveys came up with 10 positive traits of leadership Northhouse (2013, p.21). (MORE AREAS IF

Firstly I have to develop myself in my leadership behaviour understanding each and everyone of these behaviours and what characteristics to apply them, in my earlier PDP I stated “I believe that for me to be a great leader I must be able to have a balance and awareness on different styles of leadership, I would like to improve on my skills on how to become a better communicator, increase in intelligence level, self-awareness, integrity”. Secondly is making sure that my subordinates understand the vision and mission on my leadership that way we are all on the same page, then using the path-goal theory to its maximum. In other to effectively apply the right leadership behaviour one must be aware of his/her subordinates and task characteristics “Path–goal theory predicts that subordinates who have strong needs for affiliation prefer supportive leadership because friendly and concerned leadership is a source of satisfaction” (Northouse 141). As well as understanding that leaders help subordinates to over obstacles in other to perform better such as work frustration or any work related matter, in doing so leaders increase subordinates expectations that they can complete the task and increase their job