Leadership Perspectives

Leadership Perspectives
If we compare between the two leadership perspectives, which are Leader-Member exchange
theory and Social Network theory, we find few similarities and differences as well. The one
significant similarity between both of them is that both our relationship and network-based. It
leads to a few other similarities like in both cases, individuals and organizations act as nodes and
the bonding and link between them act as edges.
The main difference between them is the nature and characteristics of relationships. While
leader-member exchange theory is more focused on trust and respect between leaders and
followers, social network theory deals with the relationships between individuals and
organizations in a general way. The main motive of leader-member exchange theory is to
promote and influence a subordinate's performance and through that increase the effectiveness of
the organization. While social network theory graphically represents the bonding and
relationship between individuals and groups to analyze it in a broader view.
We can form a unified leadership theory by merging both the leadership ideas and applying them
together. The relationship model between leaders and followers can be organized by following
leader-member exchange theory and the relationship and interactions between followers and
employees can support Social Network theory.
Also, the relationship between leaders of different organizations modelled by Social Network
theory; By applying these critical points of each leadership techniques to their right position
effectively, we can get a unified leadership theory which named as "Leader-Member Social
Network Exchange Theory". According to this theory, there will be a strong bonding of respect