THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP

Leadership Theories

are the explanations on how and why certain people become leaders.

Leadership Theories (2)

They focus on the traits and behavior that people can adopt to increase their leadership capabilities.

• strong ethics and high moral standards

• great self-organizational skills 

• efficient learner

• nurtures growth in employees

• fosters connection and belonging 

TOP TRAITS OF LEADERS

Ralph Nader

“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not followers.” 

Fred Fiedler

Contingency Theory

Contingency Theory

This theory proposes that no one way or style of leadership may be applicable in all situations. In other words, it recognizes that there might be variables influencing any particular situation and a leader must choose the right course of action, taking into account these variables.

white and hodgson

“Effective leadership is about striking the right balance between needs, context, and behavior.”

Contingency Theory (2)

the best leaders have not only the right traits but also the ability to assess the needs of their followers, analyze the situation at hand and act accordingly. 

1. Leadership member relation

2. Task structure

3. position power

Leader’s ability to lead is contingent upon the situation…

Dr. Paul Hersey

Situational Leadership Theory

Situational Leadership Theory

Just like contingency theory, this theory stresses the importance of variables and doesn’t consider anyone’s leadership style to be better than the others. 

Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard

said that the situational theory is a combination of two factors: The leadership and the maturity levels of the followers. 

Situational leadership theory (2) 

According to this theory, different situations demand different styles of leadership and decision making. Leaders must act by judging the situation they are facing.

1. Motivation

2. Capability of followers

3. Performance of leader

4. Follower attitudes, needs and expectations 

Range of Situational Factors

James McGregor burns

Transformational Leadership Theory

Relationship Theory

Transformational leadership theory is also known as…

Transformational leadership theory 

focuses on the relationship between the leader and the follower.

Transformational Leaders

are typically motivated by their ability to show to their follower the significance of the task and the higher good involved in performing it. 

1. people will follow a person who inspires them 

2. a person with vision and passion 

3. value based leadership transformational leadership 

4. promotes employee development and attend to their needs by motivating, inspiring and influencing them. 

Transformational leadership theories to sharpen your skills…

Transactional Theory

this theory revolve around the role of supervision, organization and teamwork. 

Management Theory or Exchange leadership theory 

Transactional Theory is also referred to as…

Transactional theory (2)

This leadership theory considers rewards and punishment as the basis for leadership actions. This is one of the ofi-used theories in business, the proponents of this leadership style uses rewards and punishments to motivate.

Robert House

Path Goal Theory

Path goal theory 

Leaders has certain objectives and initiates their followers to follow their own objectives. 

Path goal theory (2)

is derived from expectancy theory, where people act as they do because they expect their behavior to produce satisfactory results. 

Path goal theory (3)

in here, the leaders facilitates the task accomplishment by minimizing obstruction to the goals and by rewarding followers for completing their task.  

Behavioral Theory 

In this theory, the emphasis shifts from the traits or qualities of leaders to their behaviors and actions.

Behavioral Theory (2)

this theory considers effective leadership as the result of many learned or acquired skills. It proposes that an individual can learn to become a good leader. 

Thomas Carlyle

Great Man Theory of Leadership

Great Man theory

this is one of the earliest leadership theories and is based on the assumption that leadership is an inborn phenomenon and that leaders are “born” rather than “made”.

1. Charm

2. confidence

3. intellect 

4. communication skills

5. social aptitude 

According to the great man theory, a person capable of leading has the personality traits of a leader which sets them apart and these are…

Great man theory (2)

This theory emphasizes leadership as a quality you either possess or you don’t. It isn’t something that you can learn. 

Trait theory of leadership 

This theory walks in the footstep of the great man theory in assuming that leaders are born with traits that make them more suitable for the role of a leader than others who lack those natural born traits. 

Trait theory 

1. intelligence 

2. accountability

3. sense of responsibility

4. creativity 

this theory pinpoints certain qualities of a leader that lets an individual excel at leadership and these are..

Participative theory

suggests that the ideal leadership style is one that takes input of others into account.

Participative theory (2) 

these leaders (in this leadership) encourage participation and contribution from group members and help group members feel more relevant and committed to the decision-making process. 

Management Theory

also known as transactional theory, focused on the role of supervision, organization and group performance

Management Theory (2) 

This theory base leadership on a system of rewards and punishment.

Relationship Theory

also known as transformational theory, focused upon the connections formed between leaders and followers. 

Relationship theory (2)

In leaders here are focused on the performance of group members and have high ethical and moral standards.

Leadership

This plays an important role in the workplace as well as other community organizations. 

1. Contingency

2. situational

3. transformational

4. transactional

5. path goal

6. behavioral

7. great man

8. trait theory

9. participative

10. management theory

11. relationship theory

Theories of Leadership