BHU LS 600 Chapter 5

© 2015 SAGE Publications, Inc.


Chapter Objectives• Explain the task and relationship styles of

leadership.• Describing the use of task and relationship

leadership in practice.


• What are some of the tasks you must attend to as a leader?

• Does that affect your ability to handle relationships?

• Do you spend more time on tasks or dealing with relational issues when you lead? Why?


• We all have unique habits regarding our balance of work and play.

• We have similarly unique balances of task- and relationship-oriented behaviors.

• All of us exhibit a blend of both task and relationship behaviors in leadership, but most prefer one style over the other.


• Task-oriented people are goal oriented• They want to achieve.• Their work is where they find meaning.• Reaching a goal is a positive expression of

who they are.


• Relationship-oriented people find meaning in being rather than in doing.

• Instead of seeking out tasks, relationship-oriented people want to connect with others.

• They have strong orientation in the present and find meaning in the moment.


Most leadership falls in the middle of the continuum between task and relationship orientation.


Task Leadership

• Task leadership behaviors facilitate goal accomplishment.

• The leader initiates structure:o Organizes worko Defines responsibilitieso Schedules work activities


• The leader engages in production orientation, which stresseso The production and technical aspects of the

jobo The focus is on how the job will be done


Task Leadership

• Leaders will always be required to exhibit some degree of task behavior.

• This depends on the leader’s personal style and the needs of the situation.


• Relationship leadership behaviors help subordinates feel comfortable with themselves, with each other, and with the situation.

• They include:o Consideration behaviorso Employee orientationo Concern for people


• Consideration behavior builds:o Camaraderieo Respecto Trusto Regard between leaders and followers


• An employee orientation involves:

o Taking an interest in workers as human beings

o Valuing their uniqueness

o Giving special attention to their personal needs


• A concern for people involves:o Building trust

o Providing good working conditions

o Maintaining a fair salary structure

o Promoting good social relations


• Relationship leadership behavior is about three things:o Treating followers with dignity and

respecto Building relationships and helping people

get alongoMaking the work setting a pleasant place

to be


• Which student perspective on task and relationship styles do you identify with the most?

• Task and relationship leadership behaviors are inextricably tied together.

• A leader’s challenge is to integrate the two in an optimal way.

• Understanding your personal styles of work and play can provide a better recognition of your leadership.


• When followers feel uncertain about their roles and responsibilities and want tasks to be clarified, task leadership is important.

• When followers want to be affiliated or connected to others more than they want direction, relationship leadership is important.

• Effective leaders recognize and adapt to followers’ needs.


Leadership Snapshot: Mick Wilz• Wilz’ unique relationship-oriented approach made the most

difference.• Wilz is dyslexic and finds reading, writing, and spelling to be

very difficult. • Because of his difficulties, Wilz relies heavily on visual

communication, which was one reason he decided to inform employees about the redesign by showing, rather than telling them.

• Wilz’s struggles and achievements have made him a more compassionate boss. “Because I had a difficult time when I was young, I believe in treating others as I would like to have been treated. I give employees second chances because I know what its like to struggle,” Wilz says.


• Using ideas from the chapter, describe Dan’s and Asher’s styles of leadership.

• How will Asher’s employees, who are used to being able to manage themselves in their own way, respond to Dan’s task-oriented style?

• How will Dan’s employees, who are used to being given clear direction and procedures, respond to Asher’s more relationship-oriented style?

• If you were an employee at Co-Ed Cleaners, whom would you want Mark to let go? Explain your choice.


• We all have preferences when it comes to work based on task & relationships.

• Our style preferences inform our leadership.

• Understanding your personal styles of work & play can provide a better recognition of your leadership.

Education

BHU LS 600 Chapter 5