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Leader traits
+ situational leadership strengths and weaknesses
Research in situational leadership style
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Situational theory Beginning in about 1950, the emphasis in leadership research shifted from the trait approach to the situational approach. In 1948, Ralph Stogdill survey of trait research concluded there were no universal leadership traits. In 1949, J.K. Hemphill published a book focusing completely on the situational factors in leadership. Thus, a new emphasis came into leadership research, not on whom or what the leader is, but on where leadership occurs and the condition under which it occurs. A corresponding de-emphasis on personality variables accompanied the new emphasis on situational factor. The situational approach makes a lot of sense to managers. It is easy to cite numerous factors that can have an influence on the success of manager’s efforts to lead the type of organization, the nature of the group task, the pressure of time, the set of policies that define the limits of the manager’s discretion the personal relationship between managers and their subordinates, the influence of managers with their superiors, the level of skill and motivation of employees, and the managers personal attributes.. Situational theory tends to look at the situation in isolation from the leader and the followers. Just as the trait approach views personality traits in isolation, so too, the situational approach fails to give adequate attention to the total process that results in leadership. Once again, we need to emphasize the idea of leadership as an interaction influence system involving a leader, follower, and situational variables. Contingency theory The main emphasis of Fidler’s contingency model of leadership effectiveness is on the interaction between a leader’s style of leadership and the favorableness of the situation for the le... ... middle of paper ... ...hat work goal accomplishment will actually lead to desired extrinsic consequences. House uses the term “path instrumentality” to refer to the above two probability estimates. That is, the first estimate is the path instrumentality of work behavior for work goal accomplishment, and the second is of goal accomplishment for desired extrinsic consequences. The concept of path instrumentality is simply a belief about the degree to which a particular series of behaviors or events will be instrumental in achieving desired consequences. In addition to making the two path instrumentality estimates, employees also place subjective values on the intrinsic consequences associated with the behavior required to achieve a work goal, on the intrinsic consequences associated with achieving the work goal, and on the extrinsic consequences associated with achieving the work goal.
Hersey, P. & Blanchard, K. (n.d.) Situational Leadership. In Wren, J.T. (Ed.). (1995). The Leader’s Companion (pp. 207-211). New York: Simon & Schuster.
In the context of the Situational model leadership theory, there are three identifiable weaknesses in my leadership practice. These weaknesses represent shortcomings in my role as a leader and might prevent my team from fully executing the organization’s mission. The three weaknesses are:
Situational leadership is a theory which was designed in 1969 by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard. The “contingency theories of leadership” states that a leader’s effectiveness is dependent on their behaviours in relation to different situational factors. Thus, situational leadership theory, relates to how a leader 's effectiveness is depend on their ability to adjust their leadership behaviour to the required level of the “followers” capability or if the situation is modified.
The situational leadership theory states that leaders use different styles and strategies depending on the situation. There are two models that support this theory. The Fiedler’s Contingency Model of Leadership Effectiveness states that an “effective leadership occurs only when there is an ideal match between the leader’s style and the group’s work situation” (pg
Effectiveness of organizations depends on various factors. Nonetheless, it is firmly believed, by most practitioners and behavioural scientists, that leadership is a phenomenon which is crucial in achieving this goal (Yukl, 2013). As leadership is contextually bound, it cannot be completely understood from a single perspective. There are other elements that must be considered in order to do so, such as: the leader, the follower, the context and the interactions among them (Rumsey, 2013). The topic is even more fascinating in regards to the fact that most individuals are in some way a leader, a follower, or both. Despite the fact that most of these relationships go without particular notice, others have tremendous influence on the today’s world.
Creating a structured environment and opportunities to apply what employee have learned and firmly delegate authority will lead viable outcomes in productivity. Managers utilizing situational leadership will have the platform to change their style to meet the workers’ needs and allow for growth and professional development to meet the operational needs.
Majority of the major corporations and even the military tend to put use the model of situational leadership presented by Hersey and Blanchard (1988). This model emphasizes the leader’s behavior in relationship to followers’ behavior. In order to use this model effectively, the leader is required to evaluate follower responsibility in two ways: willingness (motivation) and ability (competence).
Blanchard developed the above original model further with his Situational Leadership II, or SLII model. In the revised look of the theory, he suggests there are four developmental models within the situational leadership model. According to him, employees in organisations pass through a development cycle, as experience or changes in roles increase maturity and skillset of the employee.
Hoy, W. K., & Tarter, C. J. (2010). A Theory of Leadership: A Situational Approach. Retrieved January 28, 2014, from http://www.waynekhoy.com/pdfs/theory_of_leadership.pdf
The main component of an organization is people. A team of people work together to achieve the common goal of the organization. For an organization to operate successfully it must have a vision, policies, procedures and governance. Each of these four items are determined, implemented and overseen by the leaders of the organization. Leadership is an important part of each phase of an organization beginning with the start of the organization and continuing until the disbanding of the organization. Since leadership of an organization has a strong impact on every organization it is often researched in the study of organizational behavior (OB) (Kreitner & Kinick, 2014).
Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory (SLT) asserts that a leader’s effectiveness is dependent upon the readiness, or ability and willingness, of the leader’s followers to complete a task. This leadership style is an amalgamation of task-oriented and relationship-oriented characteristics that are employed depending upon the situation and the followers involved. According to the SLT, as followers increase in readiness the leader’s style is to adapt accordingly (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2009).
The leadership is a result of a combination of traits, with special emphasis on the personal qualities of the leader, which he should possess certain personality traits that would be special facilitators in leadership performance. This theory shows that leaders are born as such, there is no likelihood of 'making' them later with personal development techniques.
This case is about interaction between leader and followers and its effects on organization, a very good example of presence of in-group and out- group in many organizations. This is a case of creative director of advertizing agency; who has strong relation with one team than others, who gives special treatment to one team than other. As a result, there is issue of inequality and fairness in the agency.
The contemporary era is the time with constant changes and new demands. In view of this point, we can't put unitary leadership into real work. Accordingly, the term of "contingency leadership theory" (also namely "situational leadership") is given rise to by those situational factors. This theory notes that managers can vary their styles to suit different circumstances.
The Situational Theories of leadership explain how leadership style must be tailored to the demands of the task and the qualities of subordinates.