TOPIC 5

THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP

INTRODUCTION:

What is it that makes some people excel in leadership roles? Leadership theories seek to explain
how and why certain people become leaders. Such theories often focus on the characteristics of
leaders, but some attempt to identify the behaviors that people can adopt to improve their own
leadership abilities in different situations.

Early debates on the psychology of leadership often suggested that such skills were simply
abilities that people were born with. In other words, these theories proposed that certain people
were simply "born leaders." Some more recent theories propose that possessing certain traits
may help make people nature leaders, but that experience and situational variables also play a
critical role.

This topic discusses the different theories of leadership as well as leadership principles which
seek to explain the different strategies and techniques on how leaders get along with their major
roles and the people behind them working for the attainment of the organization’s goals and
objectives.

TOPIC CONTENT

a. Theories of leadership
b. Principles of Leadership
c. Contemporary leadership issues
d. Leadership skills
e. Leadership roles

TOPIC OBJECTIVES
This topic aims the students to:

a. Analyze the different ideas in each theories of leadership

b. Articulate the principle of leadership
c. Understand leadership issues
d. Apply the leadership role and skills

TOPIC OUTCOME
At the end of the topic, the students will be able to:

a. Analyze the different ideas in each theories of leadership

b. Articulate the principle of leadership
c. Understand leadership issues

Topic 5 Module in Character Formation with Leadership, Decision Making, Management and Administration Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 34
 d. Apply the leadership role and skills

THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
(https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-theories-2795323)

1. Great Man" Theories - Have you ever heard someone described as "born to lead?"
According to this point of view, great leaders are simply born with the necessary internal
characteristics such as charisma, confidence, intelligence, and social skills that make
them natural-born leaders.

Great man theories assume that the capacity for leadership is inherent—that great leaders
are born not made. These theories often portray great leaders as heroic, mythic, and
destined to rise to leadership when needed. The term "Great Man" was used because, at
the time, leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of
military leadership.

Such theories suggest that people cannot really learn how to become strong leaders. It's
either something you are born with or born without. It is very much a nature (as opposed
to nurture) approach to explaining leadership.

2. Trait Theories - Similar in some ways to Great Man theories, trait theories assume that
people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership. Trait
theories often identify a particular personality or behavioral characteristics shared by
leaders. For example, traits like extroversion, self-confidence, and courage are all traits
that could potentially be linked to great leaders.
If particular traits are key features of leadership, then how do we explain people who
possess those qualities but are not leaders? This question is one of the difficulties in using
trait theories to explain leadership.

There are plenty of people who possess the personality traits associated with leadership,
yet many of these people never seek out positions of leadership. There are also people
who lack some of the key traits often associated with effective leadership yet still excel at
leading groups.

3. Contingency Theories - Contingency theories of leadership focus on particular variables

related to the environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is
best suited for the situation. According to this theory, no leadership style is best in all
situations.

Leadership researchers White and Hodgson suggest that truly effective leadership is not
just about the qualities of the leader, it is about striking the right balance between
behaviors, needs, and context.2

Topic 5 Module in Character Formation with Leadership, Decision Making, Management and Administration Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 35
 Good leaders are able to assess the needs of their followers, take stock of the situation,
and then adjust their behaviors accordingly. Success depends on a number of variables
including the leadership style, qualities of the followers, and aspects of the situation.

4. Situational Theories - Situational theories propose that leaders choose the best course of
action based upon situational variables. Different styles of leadership may be more
appropriate for certain types of decision-making.

For example, in a situation where the leader is the most knowledgeable and experienced
member of a group, an authoritarian style might be most appropriate. In other instances
where group members are skilled experts, a democratic style would be more effective.

5. Behavioral Theories - Behavioral theories of leadership are based upon the belief that
great leaders are made, not born. Consider it the flip-side of the Great Man theories.
Rooted in behaviorism, this leadership theory focuses on the actions of leaders, not on
mental qualities or internal states. According to this theory, people can learn to become
leaders through teaching and observation.

6. Participative Theories - Participative leadership theories suggest that the ideal

leadership style is one that takes the input of others into account. Dito yung
participative leadership style is nakikinig sila sa mga employee at sinasama
sila sa pag decision making process. These leaders encourage participation and
contributions from group members and help group members feel more relevant and
committed to the decision-making process. In participative theories, however, the leader
retains (panatilihan) the right to allow the input of others.

It requires an inclusive mindset, good communication skills and the ability — and inclination —
to share power.

Yung participative theories minsan tinatawag na democratic leadership, it is one of three

leadership climates categorized by social psychologist Kurt Lewin in the 1930s. In general,
participative leaders delegate responsibilities and provide feedback that fosters professional
growth. They ensure transparency so every member of the team can see how their role fits into
the bigger picture and helps achieve better results.

Once a leadership staple (main) of many organizations, participative leadership has suffered
under the new remote workplace (dahil sa malayong lugar ng trabaho), mainly because of the
lack of candid (kakulangan ng tapat), spontaneous communications that are more typical of an
on-site office setting.

An example of this is the founder of Microsoft. He is the true example of participative

leadership. He is Bill Gates.

7. Management Theories - Management theories, also known as transactional theories,

focus on the role of supervision, organization, and group performance. Sinasabing

Topic 5 Module in Character Formation with Leadership, Decision Making, Management and Administration Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 36
 transactional theorie ito kasi their system base leadership is reward and punishment. Ito
yung parang sa theory x and y. Managerial theories are often used in business; when
employees are successful, they are rewarded and when they fail, they are reprimanded or
punished.
There are 5 functions of management as defined by Henri Fayol; these are planning, organizing,
command, coordination and control. These 5 functions comprise “management”, one of the 6
industrial activities in Henri Fayol management theory. And He is widely regarded as the father
of modern management.

8. Relationship Theories - Relationship theories, also known as transformational theories,

focus upon the connections formed between leaders and followers. They focuses on
leaders who are mainly concerned about their interactions with others. Minsan sila yung
mentors para sa employee nila, like nag seset sila ng schedule para maka usap and
working to meet their needs. Transformational leaders motivate and inspire people by
helping group members see the importance and higher good of the task. These leaders are
focused on the performance of group members, but also want every person to fulfill their
potential. Leaders with this style often have high ethical and moral standards.
Yung mga benefits ng relationship oriented leaders is inuuna nila yung healthy work
environment, team cohesion or yung unity nila as a team, and syempre yung group members
individual and collective satidfaction. Yung epektibo nito ay ine encourage niya yung teamwork
at strong communication,

9. Functional Theory - Functional leadership theory (Hackman & Walton, 1986; McGrath,
1962) is a particularly useful theory for addressing specific leader behaviors expected to
contribute to organizational or unit effectiveness.

This theory argues that the leader’s main job is to see that whatever is necessary to group
needs is taken care of; thus, a leader can be said to have done their job well when they
have contributed to group effectiveness and cohesion).

10. The Blake Mouton Managerial Grid - it was developed in the early 1960s by
management theorists Robert Blake and Jane Mouton. It plots a manager's or leader's
degree of task-centeredness versus her person-centeredness, and identifies five different
combinations of the two and the leadership styles they produce.
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_73.htm

Topic 5 Module in Character Formation with Leadership, Decision Making, Management and Administration Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 37