Subject: Introduction to Leadership

& Management

Fred Feidler & Contingency Theory

• Born in July 1922

• Business & management

Psychologist at the university of

Washington

• In 1967, he proposed Fiedler

Contingency Model

Contingency Theory

• Contingency approach to leadership was first developed comprehensively by Fiedler.

• In this contingency approach model proposes that effective group performance depends on the proper match between the leader’s style and the degree to which the situation gives control to the leader.

Fiedler Model

Fiedler’s Model basically based on three steps:

1. Identifying Leadership style.

2. Define the Situation.

3. Relationship between leader and situation.

1. Identifying Leadership style

Fiedler believes that a key factor in leadership success is the individual’s basic leadership style and thus he identifies the two (2) dimension of leadership style.

• Task Oriented.

• Human Relationship Oriented.

Least Preferred Co worker (LPC)

So, Fiedler devised / created a questionnaire that called Least Prefer co-worker (LPC).

LPC

An instrument that tells whether a person is task oriented or relationship oriented.

If high LPC then the person is relationship oriented.

If low LPC then the person is task oriented.

2. Defining Situation

After an individual’s basic leadership style has been assessed through LPC.

Fiedler identifies Three contingency factors which are the key situational factors that determine leader’s effectiveness.

1- Leader – member relationship

2- Task structure

3- position power

Three contingency factors

Task Structure: It is the degree which the job assignments are procedures i.e. structured or unstructured.

Position Power: It is the degree of influence a leader has over power variable such as hiring, discipline, promotion and salary increase.

Leader Member Relationship: It is the degree of confidence, trust and respect shown by the member to their leaders.

LEADER MEMBER RELATION

GOOD POOR

TASK STRUCTURE HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

POSITION POWER

STRONG WEAK STRONG WEAK STRONG WEAK STRONG WEAK

CATEGORY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Altogether by mixing the Three dimension there are potentially 8 different situation in which leaders could find themselves.

3. Relationship between leader and situation

After knowing the leadership style through LPC and defined all the situation, we will choose the leader who will fit for the situation.

Two ways in which the leader improve effectiveness.

• Change the leader to fit the situation.

• Change the situation to fit the leader

TASK

RELATIONSHIP

FAVORABLE MODARATE UNFAVORABLE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 CATAGORIES