BEHAVIORAL THEORY OF LEADERSHIP

NAME TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS

 Is a big leap from Trait Theory, in that
it assumes that leadership capability
can be learned, rather than being
inherent.
 This theory is based on the principle
that behaviors can be conditioned in
a manner that one can have a specific
BEHAVIORAL THEORY OF
LEADERSHIP response to specific stimuli.
 Behavioral theories focus on
how leaders behave and assume
that leaders can be made, rather than
born and successful leadership is
based on definable,
learnable behavior. 
 Behavioral theories of
leadership are classified as such
because they focus on the study of
specific behaviors of a leader.
 The behavioral
approach to leadership involves
attempts to measure the categories
of behavior that are characteristic of
 effective leaders.
 According to this theory, people can
learn to become leaders
through teaching and observation and
certain behavioral patterns may be
identified as leadership styles.
 The behavior pattern is that
the leader reflects his role as
a leader is described as style.
 Four Leadership styles based on
authority:
 Autocratic Leadership

Autocratic leadership, also known

as authoritarian leadership, is a
leadership style characterized by
individual control over all decisions
and little input from group
members. Autocratic leaders
typically make choices based on
their ideas and judgments and
rarely accept advice from followers.

 Democratic or Participative
Leadership

Democratic leadership, also known

 as participative leadership or
shared leadership, is a type of
leadership style in which members
of the group take a more
participative role in the decision-
making process.

 Free-Rein or Laissez-Faire
Leadership

The Laissez-Faire or Free-Rein is

the leadership style wherein the
leader gives full freedom to his
subordinates to act on their own.
Here, the leader once defines the
goals, policies, programs and the
limitations for action and then
leaves the remaining process to be
accomplished by the subordinates
on their own.

 Paternalistic Leadership
Paternalistic leadership is a
managerial approach that involves
a dominant authority figure who
acts as a patriarch or matriarch and
treats employees and partners as
 though they are members of a
large, extended family. In
exchange, the leader expects
loyalty and trust from employees,
as well as obedience.

 For behavioral theorists, a leader

behavior is the best predictor of his
leadership influences and as a result, it
is the best determinant of his or her
leadership success.
 These theories concentrate on what
leaders actually do rather than on their
qualities. Different patterns of
behavior are observed and categorized
as 'styles of leadership'. The
practical application of the theory
is that leader’s behavior affects
their performance and different
leadership behaviors could be
appropriate at different times.
The best leaders are those have
the adaptability to flex their
behavioral style, and choose the
right style suitable for each
 situation.
 Behavioral theory promotes the value
of leadership styles with an emphasis
on concern for people and
collaboration. It promotes participative
decision making and team
development by supporting individual
needs and aligning individual and
group objectives.
