The unit begins by discussing the difference between leadership and management. Robert House defines management as consisting of "implementing the vision and strategy provided by leaders, coordinating and staffing the organization, and handling day-to-day problems". In contrast, leadership is the ability to influence a group towards the achievement of a vision or set of goals. Leaders may emerge from within a group as well as by formal appointment to lead a group.

What is Leadership?

The ability to influence a group toward the achievement of goals.

• Leadership plays a central part in understanding group behavior.
• There are many definitions of leadership and various theories have been proposed
• Is "Management" the same as "Leadership"? What does a manager do? What does a leader do? Why is “coping” important according to Kotter? (p. 402)

LEADERSHIP THEORIES….

Trait Theories

Theories that consider personal qualities and characteristics that differentiate leaders from non-leaders.

• Some traits increase the likelihood of success as a leader, but none of them guarantee success.
• Some limitations to trait theories…. There are no universal traits - traits appear to predict leadership in selective situations only;  Traits generally predict behavior in “weak” vs. “strong” situations; cause and effect relationships are not clear; do traits simply predict the appearance of leadership rather than effective vs. ineffective leadership.

Behavioral Theories

Theories proposing that specific behaviors differentiate leaders from non-leaders.

Ohio State Studies

• Initiating structure vs.
• Consideration

University of Michigan Studies

• Employee oriented vs.
• Production oriented

The Managerial Grid

• Concern for people vs. concern for production (i.e. 81 different styles on which a leader's behavior may fall)

Contingency Theories

Several contingency models are explored...(what works in one organization may not work in another)

Fiedler Model

Effective group performance depends upon the proper match between the leader's style of interacting with subordinates and the degree to which the situation gives control and influence to the leader.  Assumes an individual's leadership style is fixed.

• Identify style via the Least Preferred Co-worker (LPC) scale

                Leader-member relations

                Task structure    

                Position power

Match leaders and situations

*Cognitive resource theory: stress unfavorably affects the situation.  Intelligence and experience can lessen the influence of stress on the leader…

Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Theory

• Situational leadership theory (SLT) – Focus on “readiness” of the followers (ability and willingness to accomplish a specific task)

Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX)

Leaders create "in-groups" and "out-groups", and subordinates within-group status will have higher performance ratings, less turnover, and greater satisfaction with their superior.

Path-Goal Theory

A leader's behavior is acceptable to subordinates insofar as they view it as a source of either immediate or future satisfaction.

• Directive vs. Supportive leadership

Leader-Participation Model

It provides a set of rules to determine the form and amount of participative decision making in different situations.  There are now 12 contingency variables in the latest revision of this model.  This model is often too complicated for managers/leaders to actually put into place in organizations.

Summary and Implications for Managers

Leaders usually are the members of an organization who provide the direction toward goal attainment.

Re: Traits - Generally speaking, individuals who are ambitious; have high energy, a desire to lead, self-confidence, intelligence, and are flexible are more likely to succeed as leaders than those without these traits.

No particular style (behavioral theories) is effective in all situations

Contingency models help us better understand leadership. Consider…..Task structure of the job, level of situational stress, group support, leader intelligence and experience, and follower characteristics (personality, experience, ability and motivation)