Leadership Theories and Management Approaches

This report delves into different leadership theories and approaches, including situational approach, path-goal theory, Katz's three-skill model, transformational leadership, and trait leadership. It also discusses the distinction between leadership and management, highlighting their respective roles and influence in effective process development.

LEADERSHIP AND
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
Define what is involved in being successful leader to enterprise. .........................................1
How leadership can be developed..........................................................................................4
Description on the difference between leadership and management. ...................................7
Reflect what personally learnt about the leadership with the own experience. .....................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

Define what is involved in being successful leader to enterprise.
The leadership is the term that defined as action of leading people in the enterprise
(Adams and Velarde, 2018). It is an art of motivating group of people to act towards achieving
the common goal to the enterprise. Thus, management to the firm work towards to set the goals,
needs and objectives so that entity can perform their activity in expert mode. Leadership is the
action of leading a team of individual so that organisational activities can be done in better and
efficient mode. The leader must perform his activities with better skills and traits. To be the
effective leaders, there are number of theories which reflects traits, characteristics, qualities,
abilities of different type of leaders.
Individual theory-
1. Trait leadership theory- According to Adams and Velarde, (2018) stated that Trait
leadership theory is based on characteristics of many leaders that successful and unsuccessful.
Thus, successful leaders definitely have interest, abilities and personality traits and this must be
different from those effective leaders. There are following different traits that must be followed
by leader as-
 Drive- The leader must exhibit the higher effort level. As per the view of Choromides,
(2018) leader of the enterprise has relatively higher desire for achievement . Thus, leader
must be ambitious and should have lot of energy so that they can direct the team in better
and efficient mode.
 The desire to lead- Leader must have strong desire so that they can able to influence and
lead others. As per the view of Choromides, (2018) stated that demonstrating the
willingness to take the responsibility, they can perform their role in much expertise mode.
 Honesty and integrity- The leaders must build trusting relationship with their followers.
Thus, Ellis, (2018) stated that to perform the work in honesty manner will aids to show
high consistency and this is very crucial to be an effective leader. Self-confidence-
According to Ford and Harding, (2018) leader must be self-confident about the task that
has to be performed. This will be helpful in terms to convince the followers.
 Intelligence- The effective leader performs their work as to be enough gather, interpret
the large amount of the information. Thus, Hallinger, (2018) stated that creative vision
and mission aids to solve the problem and to take corrective decision.
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 Job relevant knowledgeable- According to Ellis, (2018) stated that Effective leader
must have high degree of the knowledge about the firm and he must be goo in technical
skill . Thus, Rosile, M Boje and Claw, (2018) stated that in depth knowledge allows the
leaders to make better- and well-informed decision.
Advantages
 This is very helpful for leader in terms to give detailed knowledge and understanding so
that he can perform his activity in better mode.
Limitation
 The list of traits tends to be very long and complex.
Illustration 1: Trait leadership theory
(Source: Understanding the Trait Theory of Leadership, 2018.)
2. Contextual theory
Path goal theory of leadership- This is theory that is relates with the contingency approach and
this derived as expectancy theory of motivation. In this, Choromides, (2018) stated that the
leader is responsible for providing followers with the information, supports and resources that
aids to achieve the goals. This is theory that suggest various styles in order to be successful
leader as are-
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 Directive leadership- In this, Ellis, (2018) stated that leader perform his works as to
direct the subordinates and gives them appropriate guidance and direction so that they
can perform the work as per the expectation (Ford and Harding, 2018).
 Supportive leadership- A supportive leadership is friendly and approachable.
 Participative leadership- According to Ford and Harding, (2018) stated that
participative leader performs their work with subordinate ask suggestion with team
members and allow them to participate in decision making.
 Achievement of oriented leadership- They are the leader who sets the challenges and
goals to perform the activities at the high level. As per the view of Hallinger, (2018)
stated that encouraging subordinates, they can able to attend the desire goals.
3. Rational theory
Leader Member Exchange Theory- This theory is also derived as LMX theory. Thus, leaders
in group maintain their position with series of tacit exchange agreement.
The process of LMX as-
 Role taking- The members joins the team and leader work as to access the abilities and
talent. As per the view of Rosile, M Boje and Claw, (2018) stated that leader has to offer
some opportunities to employees so that they can able to demonstrate their capacity.
 Role making- At this level, the leader and member take part in unstructured and informal
negotiation. Thus, Ellis, (2018) stated that trust building plays crucial role at this stage.
Furthermore, any fraud by member at this stage may results in being relegated to the out
work.
Strength of LMX Theory-
 This is one of the exceptional theories of leadership and it talks about the specific relation
between the leader and their subordinates (Hallinger, 2018).
 It is the robust explanatory theory.
 This theory is very valid and practical in its approach.
 The focus of this theory is relating with significance of communication in leadership. As
per the view of Hallinger, (2018) stated that communication is the terms that is one of
the effective medium between the leaders and subordinates and this leads to develop,
growth and maintain profitable exchanges.
Weakness of LMX theory-
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 This is theory that fails to explain the particulars of high-quality exchanges are created.
 It is theory that put major focus over grounds of fairness and justice and this need to have
attention of leaders at workplace.
How leadership can be developed.
It is true to said that leadership can be developed with help of doing things I.e. create a
vision and build alignment to commit the vision. If the process of leadership translated into
creating the vision, building alignment and effective deployment this process becomes tangible
and can be developed. The skills of leadership play the crucial role in terms to have career
development. Thus, good leader is those who are able to foresee potential problems before they
happen. This will be very helpful in order to develop the potential problems before they happen.
The better and efficient leader must be aware about the potential opportunities and advantage
must be taken in order to provide benefit to the firm and employees (Rosile, M Boje and Claw,
2018).
The process of leadership can be developed with focussing over the following theories as-
Katz's Three skill model- The significance Kratz’s assigned to his three skills are based
on leader level of management. Thus, leadership skills defined as to ability to use the knowledge
and competencies in order to get the set of goals and objectives. Furthermore, the Katz’s has
divided its approach under three skills as-
Technical skill- This is skill that helps to expand the knowledge about the proficiency in the
specific type of the activity and work. It must be inclusive of the competencies in the specialised
area, analytical ability and ability to use the appropriate tools and techniques (Sousa, and Rocha,
2019). Thus, better technical skill can able to signify that person can be competent and
knowledgeable with respect to activities specific to the enterprise.
For example- The Software companies in UK as Finoit Technologies Inc. focussing over
developing the following skills as Knowledge of Unix/Linux Operating System, Java/C++/Perl
Programming Language.
The following attributes of technical skills are as-
 To have knowledge and being proficient in specific type of work.
 Technical skills are not crucial at the lower level of management.
 This person must have the ability to work with things.
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Illustration 2: Three skill model
(Source: Katz’s Three-Skill Approach, 2012)
Human skill/ Interpersonal management skill- The human skills are relating with ability to
work with people. This is helpful for leaders to work effectively with subordinates, peers and
supervisors. This is very helpful in order to enhance the successful completion. In addition to
this, leaders with the higher level of interpersonal skills leads to adapt the better ideas and also
aid in achieving the organisation goals. This skill is needed to be developed in order to conduct
the better working environment in the enterprise. This also leader to attend the desired goals
within the enterprise (Ford and Harding, 2018).
For example- The Tesco was facing interpersonal managerial conflicts and this has affected the
growth of enterprise. To cope up with it, manager of enterprise has focussed over enhancing
human skills. So, they have considered on attributes as effective communication, motivation,
creation of positive attitude and team spirit etc.
Thus, following attributes to leadership skills as are-
 Human skill aids to have the ability to work with the people.
 The leaders must adapt their own ideas and incorporate themes for others.
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 The leader to the enterprise must create the atmosphere of trust in which the employee
can able to give their maximum contribution.
 Human skill to the enterprise must be managed at the all three level as Lower, middle and
senior (Turnnidge and Côté, 2018).
Conceptual skill- The leader must have skills as to give strategic direction, create the vision and
motivates the employees to pursue the enterprise goals (van Assen, 2018). Thus, conceptual skill
allows the leader to think and work with the ideas. The better conceptual skill helps top develop
the analytical skill of the person.
Thus, following are the attributes of conceptual skills are-
 Provides ability to work with ideas and concepts.
 Helps to create the vision, strategic plans and setting the direction.
 It provides ability to work easily with abstraction and hypothetical situation.
 This is very crucial skill for the managers that are working at the top and supervisory
level.
For example- Tesco is one of customer oriented business. The leader of the enterprise are using
conceptual skill so that they can able to develop the ability to work with ideas and concepts.
2. Situation approach- This term defined as the different situation of leadership demand the
differ kind of leadership. It is derived as set of values and attitudes with which the individual and
group has to deal in process of activity. Under this, there are four leadership style and this has
been defined in following ways as-
 Directing- This is stage in which leader put their high consideration over direct the
behaviour of employees and supporting them (Adams and Velarde, 2018). In this, it is
very essential to motivate the follower in order to enhance the next level of ability.
 Coaching- It is basically for the followers that has to developed some competences along
with improved commitment. In this. Leader must need to put their major focus over the
task that is crucial for the commitment of time and maximum focus must be given on the
relationship with employees. This is stage that can be termed out as leader driver stage.
 Supporting- The leader in this must have effective participation and supports the
follower. They use to put their larger focus over the task assigned and relationship among
the follower. It is very relationship focussed stage.
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 Delegating- The one of the ultimate goal is to have the member in team who are fully
empowered and competent enough to perform the things in more better mode. Under this,
followers are to be highly committed, motivated and empowered. At this, stage there is
no need to give the compliment to the follower at each task.
For example – The enterprise as Aldi's, continually putting their major efforts to bring
systematic and effective working practices so that they can also achieve maximum market share.
In order to function properly, the leaders of Aldi are using situational approach so that they can
have idea that how they have to perform at different situation.
Description on the difference between leadership and management.
The term Leadership can be defined as quality of influencing the people so that the main
goal to the enterprise can be attained willingly and enthusiastically (Choromides, 2018). Thus,
leadership is one of the major elements of management.
The Management is one of discipline that aids to managing the things in the best possible
and effective manner. This term can be defined as skill of getting things done. With help of
managing the things the enterprise can able to get the desired results.
Thus, the difference between leadership and management is that, management is for the
formal and organised group and leadership is about the formal and informal people. Thus,
difference between leadership and management is defined in below contexted manner as-
Management Management
The process of leadership is an interpersonal
process that work towards influencing a person
or a group in order to ensure achievement of
objectives.
The terms management can be defined as an art
of systematically organize and coordinate the
things in the efficient mode.
It is an activity that works as guiding and
directing the people to work together in terms
to achieve objectives.
It is an activity that needs control of manager
over its subordinates.
The leader of the enterprise comes with new
ideas and innovation so entity can shift towards
forward thinking phase. They always put their
eyes over horizon, developing new techniques
The manager of firm must watch the bottom
line whole controlling employees and
workflow in entity and perform work as to
prevent any kind of chaos.
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of current trends and achievements.
A leader is the person who push employee to
do their best and he also have idea that how to
set an appropriate pace so that each employee
can work effectively.
Mangers to the enterprise works as to establish
control over employees so that they can work
as to develop their own assets to bring out their
effective and efficient.
The power of leader is limited to influence
worker to the enterprise.
The manager to the enterprise must have the
quality of the ruling.
The leaders need to perform their role as to
being proactive so that each thing can be
organized effectively.
The manager to the enterprise performs their
role as to be the reactive in nature so that they
can conduct each thing in better mode.
Reflect what personally learnt about the leadership with the own experience.
I have worked with a workplace for 6 years as a team leader. During learning and
gathering knowledge over leadership with its different theories I have learned that leadership for
me is a life time learning process. To get the desired results I majorly focused over Trait skill of
leadership that defined that Successful leaders definitely have interest, abilities and personality
traits and this must be different from those effective leaders. With the use of this approach I got
to know so much with the real experiences happened at workplace like how to react the situation,
how to get into solution etc. It is systematic approach that defines attributes that aids to get things
done with help of others. I have performed my best within my leadership capabilities and as per
the rules and regulations and by protecting the culture competencies. The environment of
business will be continually evolving and it is crucial to have pivotal success of enterprise that all
potential leader must acquire fundamental of understanding behavior of human within the
multicultural competencies.
There are number of the situation that will arise in leadership and that needs to focus on
various aspect as personal beliefs, culture as a whole and productivity at the last. During my
leadership journey I have putted my major focus over using Katz's three skill model so that I can
able to develop my communication skill, empathy and emotional intelligence in order to have
better team building skills. This is one of competitive landscape and provides strategic thinking
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so that things can be developed. In better and efficient mode. I have analyzed that I was not good
in making sound decision. I always get trouble into situation where it is crucial to take the sound
decision. Due to this, my all things get affected.
I believed to be a leader we must love the work we are doing. Therefore, I always find
new ways to keep myself motivated and I was always eager to learn new things and will find the
task to do in a differently manner. To face the new situation within enterprise I have used
situation approach so that I can able to understand that how to act within firm in order to face
differed situation at a time. This approach has helped to set values and attitudes with which the
individual and group has to deal in process of activity.
On the basis of my own experience, I am very optimistic and ready to accept the new
challenges. My greatest strength was to conduct the whole work in effective and efficient mode
so that better result can be generated. I also very appreciated by the management and they
always relay over me in order to find out the root cause of the problem and to take initiative in
terms to fix this problem. In order to develop the better relation within me and my team leader I
looked over the Leader member exchange theory so that I can able to build better relation with
them. This has helped in order to demonstrate their capability. By doing this, I have analyzed
their capabilities and passed some degree of responsibility and authority.
I worked as to always direct my co-workers in order to rectify the error at the early stage
and due to it I never would have to spend a lot of time in correcting the things at the last stage. I
was the leader of marketing department, so to do the things in smooth manner I divided the
whole member of team as per their capabilities and continually put my all efforts in terms to
make proper coordination between them so that they all perform their activities by being cordial.
I always worked as to collect the regular feedback of leaders and taken the initiative that can help
me to improve the things. By taking the feedback I was able to recognize the capabilities of
member and lacking area would be easily identified. I must say, to get the best result the all work
must be accomplished by leading the suitable example. I was a leader and from my own
experience I advised to not be lean on the title as a crutch. Earn the respect of whole team
without reminding them of the position as leader and this is the true definition of integrity.
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REFERENCES
Book and Journal
Adams, D. and Velarde, J., 2018. Leadership and Management in Education: Role and
Influence. Mastering Theories of Educational Leadership and Management.
Choromides, C., 2018. Leadership and Change Management: A Cross-Cultural
Perspective. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. 24(2).
pp.575-578.
Ellis, P., 2018. Leadership, management and team working in nursing. Learning Matters.
Ford, J. and Harding, N., 2018. Followers in leadership theory: Fiction, fantasy and
illusion. Leadership. 14(1). pp.3-24.
Hallinger, P., 2018. Surfacing a hidden literature: A systematic review of research on educational
leadership and management in Africa. Educational Management Administration &
Leadership. 46(3). pp.362-384.
Rosile, G.A., M Boje, D. and Claw, C.M., 2018. Ensemble leadership theory: Collectivist,
relational, and heterarchical roots from indigenous contexts. Leadership. 14(3). pp.307-
328.
Sousa, M.J. and Rocha, Á., 2019. Leadership styles and skills developed through game-based
learning. Journal of Business Research. 94. pp.360-366.
Turnnidge, J. and Côté, J., 2018. Applying transformational leadership theory to coaching
research in youth sport: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Sport
and Exercise Psychology. 16(3). pp.327-342.
van Assen, M.F., 2018. Exploring the impact of higher management’s leadership styles on lean
management. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence. 29(11-12). pp.1312-
1341.
Online
Difference Between Leadership and Management. 2015. [Online] Available
through:<https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-leadership-and-
management.html>.
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Katz’s Three-Skill Approach. 2012. [Online] Available
through:<http://www.technofunc.com/index.php/leadership-skills-2/leadership-theories/
item/katz-s-three-skill-approach>.
Understanding the Trait Theory of Leadership. 2018. [Online]Available
through:<https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-trait-theory-of-leadership-
2795322>.
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