This summary examines the evolution and background of leadership theories and their applicability in the current world. It emphasizes various leadership definitions and their several theories that explain the history of this leadership.
Contribute Materials
Your contribution can guide someone’s learning journey. Share your
documents today.
Running head: LEADERSHIP THEORY1 LEADERSHIP THEORY Student’s name Date Institution Affiliation
Secure Best Marks with AI Grader
Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
LEADERSHIP THEORY2 Leadership Theory Thesis Statement This summary examines the evolution and background of leadership theories and their applicability in the current world. It emphasizes various leadership definitions and their several theories that explain the history of this leadership. Introduction Various diverse studies discuss the origin of leadership. However, multiple topics such as the power of leadership, decision making, and many more have enabled us to have a brief understanding of leadership. Studies show that Max Weber is the father of leadership theory. Weber expounds various leadership aspects such as status, authority, and legitimacy in the field of military, region, and politics (Carasco, M & Kim,2015, Pg. 42). Furth more, he devoted himself to ease the tension between leaders and bureaucracies. For many years’ leadership theories has been the basis of the most studies. Even today, many scholars have made more effort to define and expound what makes a true leader lead with diligence. Thus, many theories have evolved, which try to explain the qualities of a kind and useful leadership style. Various researchers, philosophers, and professors have come up and published their theories which try to explain the contest of leadership(Northouse,2018). Origin of Leadership Scholars argue that before understanding the basis of formation of an organization and society, it is good to think sensibly about the origin of that particular leadership (Cumerland et al.,2016. Pg. 305). However, in leadership, the human relationship exists between two
LEADERSHIP THEORY3 individuals. Thus there is a perceived difference between the two. That difference may exist when one individual has some qualities which the other person lacks. For example, one may be competent or possess some other unique personal traits. Studies show that the difference leads to the establishment of levels of hierarchy. Therefore, this makes it possible for a person to rule and guide in particular areas and at the same limit him to rule in a different environment. On the other hand, when they are no hierarchical difference, anarchy comes in. Anarchy means leading without rules or sovereignty. Findings show that anarchy exists in two forms, that is constructive and destructive anarchy. According to studies constructive anarchy is when everyone supports any action taken, whereas, in destructive anarchy, people fight each other to defend their own will (R, Hughes & Ford,2016). Thus, in hierarchical difference neither person will dominate their will; they will agree on whatever decision comes through. Therefore, this is the basis of organizations and states formation. Evolution of Leadership Theories Trait Theory In the early 1920’s leadership, scholars tried to classify the traits that may differentiate leaders and non-leaders. Basing on their research they found that the early leadership theories focus mainly on how effective leader is, but they didn’t expound on how leaders should effectively lead. Thus, they concluded that the certain social, physical and personal traits are crucial in leaders (Wyatt & Silvester, 2018, pg. 620). Lee (2018) conducted a study on the attributes of good leaders. In his research, he suggested that leadership is about inherent qualities that a person possess when he is born. He also suggested the need to identify good leadership traits; that differentiate between a leader and
LEADERSHIP THEORY4 a follower. Thus with this knowledge, great leaders can be identified and put in a leadership position. In their research, they examined the physical, mental and personal characteristics of an effective leader. However, the basis of their study was that great leaders were born, not made. Thus, they suggested that the key to a successful organization aiming to get a great leader is to identify those people that were born leaders not those who are made to be leaders. However, the research on traits did not come into a better conclusion, on the best quality that a great leader should possess. On the other hand, the traits theory examined dominant traits a successful leader should possess. A successful leader should have self-drive, self-confidence, knowledgeable, integrity, intelligence and desire to lead (Nawaz & Khan, 2016). However, the traits theory does not give a piece of clear evidence as to whether these traits are inherent to people or whether they acquire them through education and training. Thus this theory proves that all leaders are not the same and they cannot have similar traits. Behavioral Theory Theorist conducted numerous research on the foundation of good leadership through behavioral theory. Thus, they examined the determinants that a good leader should possess. Therefore, they observed that people need the training to maintain the best leadership behaviors (Bettinazzi, Massa & Neumann, 2019). To achieve the same, they performed a personality test and compared the outcomes against those possessed by leaders. After conducting these research, they developed a very long list of perceived traits from a variety of psychological studies: However, through this method, they faced two major problems: first, the traits identified did not predict the exact situation in leadership. Secondly, the qualities made a list to be huge as they continued with their research.
Paraphrase This Document
Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
LEADERSHIP THEORY5 The behavioral theory also examines another major thrust which studies the leaders’ behavior to determine what precisely productive and successful leaders do. This study examines the context under which leaders applies behavioral traits in the specific organization they are working. According to the reviews, leaders should possess certain behaviors in immediate the environment they work to enhance effectiveness in their leadership positions. Therefore, to achieve the best leadership ever, theorist trained leaders through various training forums which aim at empowering leaders to change their behavioral traits and provide effective leadership ever. Research from the University of Michigan and Ohio leadership studies proved these statement to be true (Swain, Cao & Gardner, 2018, pg. 122). Contingency Theories This theory argues that leadership is about the situation in which a leader exercise leadership. It means that every leadership style depends on particular situations. Studies show that specific individuals perform better in some places, but when taken to another site perform they play very poor. Therefore, this theory is somehow related to trait theory; this is because individual traits depend on the situation in which the individual is exercising the leadership. However, according to contingency theory, individuals are more likely to use their leadership better when they feel that their followers respond to the situation (Bachrach & Mullins, 2019, pg.201). Fiedler researched the concept of situational favorability, where he identified eight categories of situational favorability. Additionally, he established a questionnaire which was aimed to correct information which would measure leadership styles. In his research, he noted that some leadership styles are more effective and efficient only in certain situations. Thus this theory aided at categorizing leaders to situation environment that is conducive to them which
LEADERSHIP THEORY6 enhance a leader practice his leadership style most effectively. Scholars argued that the managers might have the best attitudes, but on the other hand, they cannot practice suitable leadership style. Transformational Leadership Theories This theory shows that when individuals interact with one another, they develop a mutual relationship. In return, the individual build trust with each other which motivates both leaders and followers. Transformation theory shows how leaders transform and inspire their followers. Also, the leader makes sure that the rules and regulation are flexible to favor the followers. Thus, they make followers develop a sense of belonging and can collaborate with the leader to make decisions (Hoch et al.,2018, Pg. 511). Transactional leadership theories These theories are also known as exchange theories. It means that leaders and followers develop a transaction between them. Thus these theories are aimed at developing a beneficial relationship between the leader and the followers. However, the transactional approach should be practical; therefore, the leader should improve a rewarding and enforcement environment; rewards are given to subordinates when they perform better (Cho et al.,2019, Pg. 13). Finally, the individual goals should be integrated with the organization goals to achieve a balance between the two. Participative Leadership Theory Various Scholars have evaluated and proposed participative leadership theory. Thus they argued that participative leadership theory describes distinct leadership style. Firstly, a leader should have exploitative authority (Evan et al.,2019, Pg. 77). In this style, a leader makes
LEADERSHIP THEORY7 significant decisions without consulting the followers or subordinates. Secondly, the leader should be benevolent authoritative; it means a leader is concerned with employees and their reward, but he makes all the decisions alone. Also, the leader develops a consultative approach; thus he listens to ideas from the subordinates, but he makes ultimate decisions. Finally, the leader develops a participative approach; in this approach, he listens to employees’ grievances, listens to their ideas and includes them when making decisions. Thus participative readership is a vital aspect to any leader. Goal Setting Theory Research shows that the goal setting theory focuses on the fact that leaders and individuals are motivated to achieve their desired goals. Also, it suggests that people have various intentions that compel their behaviors. A theorist of this theory carried research on this theory. They found that when leaders set high individual goals, they are more likely to perform effectively in their respective organizations, rather than when a leader has no set goals or setting “do your self-goals.” However, they also found that there is a close relationship between performance and the difficulties which a leader encounters on those goals (Weissbrod, 2019, P.g.143). Therefore, when a leader sets higher goals, those goals will drive him to perform more effective, thus attain the desired goals. On the other hand, various variables determine the performance of a leader; for instance, participation in decision making, competition; and feedback. Therefore, these variables guide and help a leader to set higher goals which ultimately leads to higher performance and commitment to the set goals. Moreover, they suggested that there are three significant determinants of effective leadership; that is persistence, effort, and motivation. These
Secure Best Marks with AI Grader
Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
LEADERSHIP THEORY8 determinants also drive a leader to set a higher goal. They concluded that there are specific moderators that have an impact on the purpose of effective performance — for example, ability, dealing with situational constrictions, task difficulty, and feedback (Locke & Latham, 2015, Pg.103). Need Theories In these theories, people will always have needs to attain particular objectives. Therefore, these needs drive them to get better satisfaction on those needs. In this study, Maslow recommended that there is a need to have a hierarchy of needs whereby needs vary from the most important one to the least important one. For example, he suggested that safety and physiological needs motivate people to acquire and satisfy their needs. On the other hand, self- actualization, belongingness, and self-esteem should not be necessarily essential to obtain. A theorist researched the need theories. He found that three primary needs should drive anybody aspiring to lead. These needs are; the growth needs, existence needs and relatedness needs. He further observed that people could move hierarchically according to those needs; thus they, get enough motivation to achieve the desired requirements (Jensen & Bro, 2018, Pg. 533). Murray’s also come up with another need theory in 1938. In his opinion, he suggested that people always have a wide range of needs. For instance, they may experience the need for power, the need for achievement and the need for affiliation. He also observed that people’s needs are not always the same. However, people’s needs mainly depend on the surrounding or the environment in which a person is working. Thus, concerning leadership, various jobs always satisfy specific needs. However, the question would be to whether a leader can fill satisfaction in an environment where he is supposed to meet people immediate needs (Miner, 2015).
LEADERSHIP THEORY9 Conclusion This research summarizes the evolution of leadership theories in details. It expounds how different theories have evolved since early times to recent times. The discussion also examines different traits based on suitable leadership styles. Furthermore, this research theorized the kind of leadership that should be practiced to enhance employee’s satisfaction and maintain a good relationship between the leaders and followers. Moreover, the hypothesis of this theories reveals an essential aspect of successful leadership and to ensure that future leaders will be more effective. Thus, it is evident that leaders must possess certain qualities so that leadership can be useful. Leaders should have goals, objectives, and visions. Furthermore, they must be willing to take risks and develop a willingness to adapt to changing circumstance or environment. Also, leaders should be innovative and understand the environmental factors that may affect the organization. Finally, the measure should be taken to differentiate between real leaders and false leaders.
LEADERSHIP THEORY10 References Bachrach, D. G., & Mullins, R. (2019). A dual-process contingency model of leadership, transactive memory systems and team performance.Journal of Business Research,96, 297-308. Bettinazzi, E. L., Massa, L., & Neumann, K. (2019). Sustainability as a Competitive Tool for the Brave? Or for the Best? A Behavioral Theory Perspective.Organization & Environment, 1086026619839364. By, R. T., Hughes, M., & Ford, J. (2016). Change leadership: Oxymoron and myths. Carasco-Saul, M., Kim, W., & Kim, T. (2015). Leadership and employee engagement: Proposing research agendas through a review of literature.Human Resource Development Review,14(1), 38-63. Cho, Y., Shin, M., Billing, T. K., & Bhagat, R. S. (2019). Transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and affective organizational commitment: a closer look at their relationships in two distinct national contexts.Asian Business & Management, 1-24. Cumberland, D. M., Herd, A., Alagaraja, M., & Kerrick, S. A. (2016). Assessment and development of global leadership competencies in the workplace: A review of literature.Advances in Developing Human Resources,18(3), 301-317. Hoch, J. E., Bommer, W. H., Dulebohn, J. H., & Wu, D. (2018). Do ethical, authentic, and servant leadership explain variance above and beyond transformational leadership? A meta- analysis.Journal of Management,44(2), 501-529. Kim, D., Choi, D., & Vandenberghe, C. (2018). Goal-focused leadership, leader-member exchange, and task performance: the moderating effects of goal orientations and emotional exhaustion.Journal of Business and Psychology,33(5), 645-660. Lee, K. C. S. (2018). 3 The Great Man and Trait Theory of Leadership.Mastering Theories of Educational Leadership and Management.
Paraphrase This Document
Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
LEADERSHIP THEORY11 Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2015). Breaking the rules: a historical overview of goal-setting theory. InAdvances in motivation science(Vol. 2, pp. 99-126). Elsevier. Miner, J. B. (2015).Organizational behavior 1: Essential theories of motivation and leadership. Routledge. Moore, B. T. (2018). Literature Review of GLOBE’s CLT: Culturally Endorsed Implicit Leadership Theory.PRODUCTION STAFF, 1. Nawaz, Z. A. K. D. A., & Khan_ PhD, I. (2016). Leadership theories and styles: A literature review.Leadership,16, 1-7. Northouse, P. G. (2018).Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications. Swain, A. K., Cao, Q. R., & Gardner, W. L. (2018). Six Sigma success: Looking through authentic leadership and behavioral integrity theoretical lenses.Operations Research Perspectives,5, 120-132. Wyatt, M., & Silvester, J. (2018). Do voters get it right? A test of the ascription-actuality trait theory of leadership with political elites.The Leadership Quarterly,29(5), 609-621.