Theories of Group Leadership

Lewin and colleagues believe that there are three fundamental leadership styles. They are…

• autocratic

• democratic

• laissez-faire

Autocratic leadership

• implies complete control of a group with little or no input from group members

• results in

  • greatest productivity

• however created

  • hostility and resentment

  • poor quality of work

  • dependency on leader

Democratic leadership

• allows members to make choices and to have a say in what the group does and becomes

• results in

  • highest morale

  • most group cohesiveness

Laissez-faire leadership

• implies a minimum of control and a deliberate noninterference in the natural forces of a group or the freedom of individuals within it

• results in

  • independence in the members

• however

  • morale not high

Situational leadership

• developed from studies of work management practices and outline four types of leader styles

  • telling

  • selling

  • participating

  • delegating

Telling

leader focuses on workers getting the job done with very little interaction or input from them

Selling

leader focuses on the task but also encourages relationship building and worker development

Participating

leader focuses on building relationships and supporting worker initiatives

Delegating

leader gives workers independence in how they do their jobs, with minimal direction

Transformational leadership

• creates a vision and gives followers the encouragement and resources needed to achieve that vision

• four behaviors comprise transformational leadership

  • idealized influence

  • inspirational motivation

  • intellectual stimulation

  • individualized consideration

Path-goal theory of leadership

• leaders motivate workers to perform well and achieve job satisfaction

• adapts the style of leadership to individual needs

• adapts the task and environment to achieve goals

• provides appropriate incentives for workers to meet their goals

• four behaviors of the leader include

  • directive

  • supportive

  • participative

  • achievement-oriented

Path-goal Directive

• telling workers what they ned to do, in as much detail as needed

Path-goal Supportive

• creating a friendly climate

• showing concern for the well-being and concerns of memebrs

• remaining open and approachable

• treating members as equal

Path-goal Participative

• leader consults group members about topics

• asks for opinions and suggestions

• shares leadership roles with mature group members

Path-goal - Achievement oriented

• leaders motivate members through high-level challenges and by setting high expectations

3 types of group leadership styles

• directive

• facilitative

• group leader as advisor

Directive leadership

• uses authority sparingly

• used a lot for lower-functioning clients

Facilitative leadership

• decisions are made by group with facilitator guidance

• acts as an educator by explaining therapeutic aspects of activity so that the group can choose tasks most likely to benefit them

• earns support of members by allowing them to make choices and show care and concern

Group leader as advisor

• most passive, and used for high functioning groups

• offer experts as needed or requested, but does not provide structure or goal

Advantages of Co-leading

• mutual support

• increased objectivity

• collective knowledge

• models for each other

• different roles

Disadvantages of co-leading

• splitting

• competition

• unequal contribution