Leadership Theories

and Styles
 Outline

Leadership definition
Leadership theories
Leadership styles
Leadership Definition

Leadership is the ability to influence others

to move enthusiastically toward the
achievement of the organizational goals.

Leaders inspire thru personal

trustworthiness & self-confidence
Leaders communicate a vision that turns
self-interest into commitment to the job
 Theories of Leadership
Great man theory.
Charismatic theory.
Trait theory.
Situational theories.
Life Cycle theory
Transactional vs.
transformational styles
 Great Man Theory
Argues that few people are born with
the necessary characteristics to be
great.
In other words this theory argues that
leaders are born not made.
This theory was defeated because
leadership skills can be acquired and
developed.
 Charismatic Theory

Charisma means magnetism,

but this is an intangible
characteristic.

Therefore, this theory was

defeated.
 Trait Theory
Leadership Traits: represent the personal characteristics
that differentiate leaders from followers.

• Historic findings showed that leaders and followers vary by:

- intelligence
- dominance
- self-confidence
- level of energy and activity
- task-relevant knowledge
Contemporary findings show that:
 people tend to perceive that someone is a leader when
he or she exhibits traits associated with:
• intelligence,
• masculinity, and
• Dominance
 people want their leaders to be credible
- credible leaders are:
honest,
forward-looking,
inspiring, and
competent
Key Leadership Traits to Develop
Self-Confidence
Trustworthiness
Assertiveness
Emotional Stability
Sense of Humor
Self-Awareness and Self-Objectivity
Cognitive Skills
Emotional Intelligence
Passion and Enthusiasm
 Trait Theory cont.…

This theory was defeated because:

It does not deal with subordinates.
It avoids situational factors.
Situational Theories

Become popular during 1950s.

Life cycle theory emphasized the
importance of the maturity of
employees, and the leader needs to
adapt leadership styles accordingly.
 Life – Cycle theory

( High )
High
Relationship High task
And And

Style of leader
low task high
Relationship
Relationship

Behavior
S3 S2

Low
High task
Relationship
And
And
low
low task
Relationship

S4 S1
( Low ) ( High )

follower (s)
Maturity of
Immature
High Moderate Low
Mature

M4 M3 M2 M1

Figure 7-1 Situational leadership theory.

From Hersey P, Blanchard KH: Management of organizational behavior: utilizing human resources, ed 3, Upper Saddle, NJ, 1977,
Prentice Hall.
 Style

Is the way in which something is said

or done. It is a particular form of
behavior directly associated with an
individual.
Styles of leadership

Range from conservative to liberal.

A single style of leadership is
rarely practiced alone.
Leadership behaviors that are
right for one situation are not
necessarily appropriate in
another.
Autocratic leadership

The leader retains all authority. Autocracy is

primarily concerned with task accomplishment.

The leader assigns clearly defined tasks and

establishes one – way communication with the
work group, making decisions alone.

The leader stress prompt, orderly performance

and uses power to pressure those who fail to
follow expectations.
Democratic Leadership

Is people centered approach that is primarily

concerned with human relations and teamwork.
 Employees are given more control and participation
in decision-making. This approach facilitates goal
accomplishment while stressing the self–worth of
each employee.

 It works best with mature employees who work

well together as groups.
Laissez – Fair Leadership
▪ Is a “free run” or permissive, style of leadership.
The leader gives up control and chooses to avoid
responsibility by delegating all decision making to
subordinates.

▪ Subordinates receives little or no direction.

▪ This style may be somewhat effective with highly

motivated, mature subordinates.
Other styles of leadership
Bass and Avolio (1995)

Transactional leadership: leaders are

short range sighted,
care more about day - to – day
operations,
direct their attention toward
failures, and intervene when
something wrong arises.
Other styles of leadership cont..
Transformational leadership:
leaders are long-sighted, directing their
attention toward success.
They inspire in their subordinates trust,
confidence, awareness of problems and
potential solutions, provide
individualized attention, and one to one
mentoring
Differences b/w leadership
& management
Leadership Management
based on based on
influence authority
an informal a formally
designation designated
an achieved position
position an assigned
position
Thank You