Leadership Theories

People have long been interested in leadership throughout human history, but it has only been relatively recently that a number of formal leadership theories have emerged. Interest in leadership increased during the early part of the twentieth century. Early leadership theories focused on what qualities distinguished between leaders and followers, while subsequent theories looked at other variables such as situational factors and skill levels.

Great Man TheoryGreat leaders are born, not madeOften portray great leaders as:

HeroicMythical

Destined to rise to leadership when neededEarly research was based on the study of

people who were already great leadersPeople were often aristocratic, contributing to

the notion that leadership had something to do with breeding

Trait TheoryAssumes that people inherit certain qualities

and traits that make them suited for leadership

People who have the right combination of traits make good leaders

Based on psychological focus of the dayStudied successful leadersIf people could be found with these traits, they

could be leaders as well

Trait TheoryTraits Skills

AdaptableAlert to social environmentAmbitious and achievement

orientedAssertiveCooperativeDecisiveDependableDominantEnergeticPersistentSelf-confidentTolerant of stressWilling to assume

responsibility

Clever (intelligent)Conceptually skilledCreativeDiplomatic and tactfulFluent in speakingKnowledgeable about

group taskOrganizedPersuasiveSocially skilled

» Stodgill (1974) traits and skills critical to leaders

Contingency TheoryFocuses on particular variables related to the

environment that determine leadership styleNo best way to organize a corporation, lead a

company, or make decisionsLeadership style depends on various internal

and external factors

Contingency TheoryExamples of factors affecting leadership:

Size of organizationGroup atmosphereTask structureLeader’s power positionStrategiesTechnology

Situational TheoryLeaders choose the best course of action

based upon situational variablesDifferent styles of leadership may be more

appropriate for certain types of decision making

Focuses on the people involvedCompetencyTasks

Situational Theory

Behavioral TheoryGreat leaders are made, not bornFocuses on actions of leaders, not on mental

qualities or internal statesLooks at what leaders actually doIf success can be defined in terms of

describable actions, it should be easy for other people to act the same way

Participative TheoryIdeal leadership takes the input of others into

accountEncourage participation and contributions

from group membersHelp group members feel more relevant and

committed to the decision-making processLeader retains right to allow input of others

Participative TheoryPeople are less competitive and more

collaborative when they work on joint goalsSocial commitment to one another is greater

Increases commitment to decisionWorking together creates better decisions

than working alone

Management TheoryFocus on roles of supervision, organization,

and group performanceBase leadership on a system of reward and

punishmentOften used in business

When employees are successful, they are rewarded

When they fail they are reprimanded or punished

Management TheorySocial systems work best with a clear chain

of commandWhen people agree to do a job, they cede all

their authority to their managerPrime purpose of a subordinate:

To do what the manager tells them to do

Relationship TheoryFocus on connections formed between

leaders and followersLeaders motivate and inspire by helping

members see the importance and higher good of the task

Focused on performance of group but also want each person to fulfill his/her potential

Leaders often have high ethical and moral standards

Relationship TheoryPeople with vision and passion can achieve

great thingsThe way to get things done is by injecting

enthusiasm and energyIncludes the following components:

InclusivenessEmpowermentPurposeProcess oriented