Leadership Theories

Leadership Theories

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Leadership Theories

Leadership Theories Matrix

Theory

Definition/Characteristics

Examples

Trait Leadership

Trait theory of leadership defines that leaders are born with certain characteristics or traits. This particular approach clearly explained that great leaders can only be born and not made. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"hv20jRKF","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Zaccaro, 2007)","plainCitation":"(Zaccaro, 2007)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1115,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/LYCUS2WQ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/LYCUS2WQ"],"itemData":{"id":1115,"type":"article-journal","title":"Trait-based perspectives of leadership.","container-title":"American psychologist","page":"6","volume":"62","issue":"1","author":[{"family":"Zaccaro","given":"Stephen J."}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2007"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Zaccaro, 2007).

There is a list of characteristics associated with the concept of trait leadership. It is essential for the leader to timely accept the responsibility to handle the situation. Leaders should be confident about their decisions in difficult situations with the consideration of required skills. Tough-mindedness and emotional stability are the major characteristics concerning the approach of trait leadership. Consideration of some physical traits is another critical aspect of this leadership theory. Dominance is also crucial characteristic related to the theoretical approach of trait leadership. It is essential for the leader to utilize the successful blend of different characteristics to meet the standards of leadership.

The concept of trait leadership theory can better apprehend through the example of military leadership. There is a specific standard set for the military leadership position concerning the physical characteristics of minimum weight and height. Role of a leader in the military is one significant example to illustrate the approach of trait leader theory.

Behavioral Leadership

Behavioral leadership is defined as the approach that focused on the behavioral aspects of the leaders. It is established that behavioral analysis is one important predictor to figure out the leading performance of the leader. Observable actions of leaders and followers in a certain situation are the main aspect of consideration.

The aspect of leadership traits or characteristics is the major feature associated with the concept of behavioral leadership. Personal characteristics of the leaders eventually influence their behavioral domain of leadership. These domains of leadership can clearly define in the forms of intelligence, honesty, self-confidence, and proactive approach of decision-making. All the attributes are closely linked with the approach of behavioral leadership considering the requirements of a certain situation. It is established that leaders need to be aligned with their behavior according to the need of the situation.

People-oriented leadership is one significant example of a behavioral form of leadership. This form of leadership encourages leaders to show necessary concern about the followers through sympathetic behavior towards them.

Contingency Leadership

Context of required leadership is basic aspect relevant to the overall idea of contingency theory of leadership. The theoretical concept of contingency theory is illustrated as the proper combination of leadership style and the actual situation. This specific theory comes up with the approach that the success of the leadership can only define when the leadership styles of the leaders match to the actual circumstances.

Flexibility is the main characteristic linked with the practical implications of the contingency theory of leadership. The idea is developed that leaders need to be flexible and proactive to access the actual requirements of the situation. It is essential for the leaders to figure out different opportunities and potential threats of the situation and act accordingly to gain maximum success.

The theoretical concept of contingency leadership can better observe through the example of the situation when a business organization is suffering from the issue of economic downfall. This particular situation requires the leader to adopt some immediate practical measures to motivate workers in this difficult situation. It is essential for the leader to understand that this particular situation is different from normal circumstances and requires some suitable leadership measures.

Skills Leadership

Skills leadership theory is used to identify the particular skills or attributes that define a leader as a good leader. It is established as important to identify the basic skills requirements to meet the standard of effective leadership. Skills-based theory of leadership particularly focused on the skills and characteristics that can be helpful for the leaders to establish their roles as great leaders.

The broad idea of skills theory of leadership is similar to the perspective of trait theory. The main characteristic linked with this form of leadership is established as a leader-centric domain of action. This specific theory of leadership entirely focused on the skills that make leaders effective and successful. Technical, human, and conceptual skills are the three main standards concerning the main idea of skills leadership theory. It is critical for the leaders to have these three crucial forms of leadership to act according to the situation.

Problem-solving is one major skill that is associated with the concept of skilled-based leadership theory. The example of the intense business situation can be considered to consider the approach of the skilled approach of leadership. It is mandatory for the leader to adopt the skill of problem-solving to find out the best solution in a difficult situation.

Situational Leadership

The approach of situational leadership based on the assumption that there is no single best style of leadership. It is the main responsibility of the leader to act according to the situation and find out the best solution. This type of leadership is defined as the adaptive form that allows leaders to align their behavior and leadership style according to the actual requirements of particular situations.

There are particular attributes or characteristics linked with the practical domain of the situational leadership theory. Adoption of change according to the circumstances is the main characteristic relevant to the idea of situational leadership ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"UHyKF5W6","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Storey, 2016)","plainCitation":"(Storey, 2016)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1117,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/XDASEPY3"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/XDASEPY3"],"itemData":{"id":1117,"type":"chapter","title":"Changing theories of leadership and leadership development","container-title":"Leadership in Organizations","publisher":"Routledge","page":"17-41","author":[{"family":"Storey","given":"John"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2016"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Storey, 2016). It is necessary for the leader to timely detect the changing situation and direct followers according to the new situation. Involvement of the entire team members is critical to meet the actual objectives of the performance.

The approach of situational leadership can best describe through the example of the surgeons who adopt different leadership measures according to the actual requirements of the situation. Doctors as significant leaders need to be proactive to identify the seriousness of the situation and direct accordingly.

References

ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Storey, J. (2016). Changing theories of leadership and leadership development. In Leadership in Organizations (pp. 17–41). Routledge.

Zaccaro, S. J. (2007). Trait-based perspectives of leadership. American Psychologist, 62(1), 6.