Leadership and Management: Comparing Contingency and Trait Theories

This essay provides a detailed comparison of contingency and trait leadership theories. It begins by defining and contrasting the two theories, exploring their core principles and how they influence leadership approaches. The essay then delves into the advantages and disadvantages of each theory, offering critical evaluations and real-world examples of their application. Furthermore, the usefulness and implications of both theories are examined within various organizational contexts, highlighting how leaders can leverage these frameworks to improve their effectiveness. The essay also reviews the viewpoints of different authors on leadership, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Finally, the essay concludes with practical recommendations for managers, designed to help them develop into more effective leaders, emphasizing the importance of adapting leadership styles to situational demands and personal traits.

Principles and Practices of Leadership
and Management

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
It can be stated from the study that there are different theories such as
contingency and trait theory which helps in developing leaders to achieve desired
outputs. Here, contingency theory is useful instead of trait theory as it helps leaders to
plan their actions as per the situation and lead the team in order to improve their skills
and abilities. Also, leaders are required to identify and overcome the contingency issues
so that best results can be carried out in an effective manner. Leaders develop their
skills and capabilities by influencing others to follow them and build trust among them.
Thus, it can be articulated that contingency theory is best suited for leaders to carry out
actions in business as per the situations.

Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................4
Define and compare contingency and trait leadership theory .........................................................4
Advantages of contingency theory ..................................................................................................6
Disadvantages of contingency theory..............................................................................................7
Usefulness/ implication of contingency and trait theory in different forms organizations............11
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

Introduction
Thus, it can be said that the leadership has prime and significant role within firm.
In accordance with the given context, the essay will provide detailed explanation
regarding two different theories of leadership. It consists of contingency and trait theory.
In addition to this, the essay will also depict the usefulness of the respective theories for
the leaders who works within organization. Furthermore, in the given essay critical
evaluation will also be carried out of the above mentioned theories in an effective way.
In this regard, the views and opinions of varied authors will be reviewed. Finally, at the
end recommendations will be suggested to the manager of varied firm which will enable
them to become an effective leader. Leadership can be stated as the process by which
a person influences others in order to accomplish the objective. Further, it also helps in
engaging with each other in order to create connection that enhances encouragement
and morality within both leaders and followers. In the particular study, it helps in
evaluating that authentic leadership involves a pattern of transparent and ethical leader
behavior that motivates openness in sharing information so that effective decisions can
be made within firm (Gamage, 2006). Leaders play a crucial role in developing the skills
of their subordinates so that high performance can be attained within organization.
However, such development approaches involves varied forms such as total quality
management, team building, job enrichment, team building etc. The primary objective of
leaders is to motivate employees in order to achieve their ambition.
Define and compare contingency and trait leadership theory
In this regard, it can be said that different authors have given different view point
regarding the concept such as leadership. In this context, Kotter 1990 has stated that
the leader must have combination of number of traits such as capacity to think
strategically and strong analytic ability etc.
However, in the study Kirkpatrick and Edwin have explored that on having certain
characteristics alone does not guarantee the leadership success. Thus, in order to
become an effective leader, an individual must possess certain traits. The traits which is
being assessed by the respective authors in their study consists of ambition, motivation,
self confidence, tenacity, drive, initiative and energy etc.

Furthermore, Vroom and Jago have argued that the leader can be consider as
effective if it tends to change its style of managing and leading the people as per the
situation which is being faced by it. The given statement is also supported by Zacarro
(2007) as he has indicated that a leader will be consider as effective if it manages the
people as per the situation which occur in front of it. In this context, Feidler has given
description about three different type of situations. The situations which author have
suggested plays very important role in activity when leader make selection of
appropriate leadership style for managing the people. Leader member relationship, task
structure and leader position power are being regarded as three varied type of
leadership situation which Feidler has identified.
Here, House (1976) has stated that the contingency theory of leadership is not
the new concept as it has evolved around 100 year back. This theory state that the type
of behavior as being adopted by the leader totally depends upon the situation or
circumstance which manager faces. Howver, on doing constant researcher upon the
respective topic authors have revealed different type of situation which is later on
effectively presented by the author such as Feidler. Further, Burns (1978), states that
here focus is upon the leaders who are transforming themselves but in a negative
manner. For instance, they are focused upon their own self interest rather than the
interest of their followers. They are power oriented and does not have moral values
such as Hitler and Saddam Hussein etc.
In addition to this, historical perspective of trait is analyzed by the Paul Hersey. It
is designed in such a way that helps leaders to assess the way trough which
businesses can attain their aims. Mainly it analyzes two different factors i.e. concern for
production and concern for people. Within production, it states that how a leader is
concerned with attaining organizational goals. While, concern for people states that how
a leader attends to the members of firm and fulfilling their needs who are trying to meet
the set goals of firm. In this context, it can be said that the trait theory is also called by
the name of dispositional theory. Traditionally, this theory does have any relevance with
the leadership. This is because, earlier researchers have discovered the respective
theory with an aim to measure the traits which are common among people. Thus,
through this way huge list of trait is being prepared. But, later an effort is being made by

many researchers with respect to assess the traits which tend to distinguish leader from
the non leader.
According to the view point of Hodgkinson (2005), contingency theory, it can be
assessed that the success of leader is a function of different contingencies that involves
subordinates, task or other group variables that helps in developing leaders in order to
carry out the organizational goals. Also, contingency model helps leaders to make
effectual decisions within firm so that they can develop the traits of their subordinates
and achieve efficiency within business. Leaders should be able to manage, lead or
guide others such as individuals so that they can move towards the right direction. The
approach of leadership has been enriched by effective leaders of past times such as
Mahatma Gandhi and Hitler. They changed the complete meaning of leadership by
specifying different leader attributes and helping people to quickly solve their issues,
make decisions and initiate to bring change (Hodgkinson, 2005). It can be stated that
effective leaders must not only be full of drive and ambition, but they should be able to
lead others as well. For instance, contingency theory is a concept of situation that
involves three different factors such as-
 Leader-member relations- It is essential for individuals to develop trust, loyalty
and confidence towards it leaders so that best results can be achieved.
 Task structure- It states that the workers are required to assess the clarity of
task and the means of task accomplishment in regard to fulfill the needs of
individuals (Kurucz, Wheeler and Colbert, 2013).
 Position power- Here, it is related to the amount of reward-punishment
authority that the leaders possess over the members of the group in order to
train them properly and accomplish the desired outputs (Lees and Mabey, 2007).
Advantages of contingency theory
However, it can be stated that contingency theory is very helpful as it assists
leaders to influence themselves as per the situation and develop good leadership
attributes. Thus, such theories help leaders to predict them that which leadership style
is suitable at which situation. For example, contingency theory is best at the time when
leaders are required to make quick decisions (Manion, 2011). It is effective for leaders
to provide full support to the team. Further, another strength of contingency theory

states that it is a valid and reliable approach in order to attain effective leadership. It
also helps in broadening the scope of leadership and understand the focus on
leadership style in order to fulfill the needs. As compared to trait theory, this states that
leaders are not always effective in every situation and thus businesses are required to
consider leaders within optimal situations as per their leadership style. For instance, In
addition to this, it can also be said that the contingency theory of leadership is effective
as it supplies the data regarding the leadership style which needs to be selected by the
manager when certain type of situation tend to occur in front of them. But, respective
theory does not given information about the specific trait which a manager must
possess in order to become an appropriate leader. It is essential for leaders to possess
people oriented style so that they can understand the requirement of individuals and
enhance their skills and capabilities in order to achieve desired goals. On the other
side, it can be assessed that in such leadership theory, persons who are leaders in one
situation may not be leaders in other situations. However, within contingency theory it
can be evaluated that leadership is contingent on different independent factors. For
instance, the particular theory predicts that effective leaders are those whose personal
traits help in matching the needs of the situation in which they find themselves. It is their
effective role that they can mold themselves as per the situation and accomplish the
desired goals as per Mimouni and Metcalfe (2011).
Disadvantages of contingency theory
But, the limitation of the contingency theory of leadership is weeded by the
another model which is called by the name of leadership trait theory. The given theory is
effective as it gives information about number of traits which leader can develop with an
aim to become a good leader. For example, in order to deal with some conflicting
situation which occur within firm a leader must have good problem solving ability.
However, it has been critically evaluated that there are some limitations associated with
the trait and contingency theory of leadership.
Pasmore (2014), have argued that for any leader it becomes very difficult with
regard to change its leadership style as per the situation which is being faced by it. This
is because, to get the information about the situation is itself a very difficult task. Thus,
for the leader it becomes very difficult with regard to make the practical implementation

of the contingency theory of leadership in an effectual way. On contrary to this,
disadvantages are also associated with the trait theory. In this context, it is assessed
that trait theory totally ignore the environmental factors which varies as per the
condition. Thus, this proves that the trait which respective theory has suggested cannot
be used in all situation.
According to Ladyshewsky (2007), the leaders who possess such type of
leadership style it helps individual to develop multi-ability skills and quick decision
making so that they can accept the responsibility at their own and provide assistance to
subordinates in order to grow and develop the objectives. For instance, leaders who
possess such type of personal traits help them to adopt effective skills as per the
situation and thus they are task-oriented. Further, it is essential for leaders to influence
subordinates and enhance their skills in regard to achieve organizational goals. In
addition to this, it can be stated that leaders are required to build relationship among
each other in order to overcome mistrust and insecurities with leadership intentions and
methods. However, it is a highly structured tasks which is relatively independent of
either relationship or positional power (Ladyshewsky, 2007). On the other hand, low
structured task can be completed with the help of either directive or participative
leadership style. It is effective at the time when implementing principle of low positional
power as leaders requires to use it in order to develop skills of individuals and influence
them to achieve results. Further, when there is bad a situation arises at the time of poor
relation between member and leader then it is essential for leaders to adopt task
oriented leadership style so that best goals can be attained (Makuwira, 2013).
Thus, it can be assessed that contingency leadership theory is suitable for
leaders up to a great extent and which they can use within organization in order to grow
organization in an effective manner. As per Mulec (2006), contingency theory is useful
as it helps leaders to reduce the amount of expectations from a leader and thus it
focuses upon matching the abilities of leader as per the task so that they work
effectively according to the situation. On the other side, it is also useful as it assists in
creating leadership profiles within firm and become a valuable instrument at the time of
reorganization or management change. Thus, it is essential for leaders to follow
effective leadership style that helps them to achieve desired goals and objectives.

Furthermore, such theory also faces varied criticism such as leaders sometimes fails or
unable to provide reasons for leadership effectiveness in different situations (Mulec,
2006). However, it can be stated that contingency leadership theory is best suited for
leaders of different organizations such as Bank of America, General Electric, IBM,
PepsiCo and Royal Dutch Shell etc. Hence, leaders of all such groups undertake
contingency theory as it assists them to adopt different styles such as autocratic,
democratic and laissez faire as per the situation arises in company. However, in order
to maintain reputation of company and help them to carry out outstanding job it helps in
identifying and developing leaders and help enterprise to differentiate themselves from
other organizations and deliver best performance (Owen, 2012).
Thus, through using competency model it helps organization as well as leaders
to enhance their skills and competencies and achieve organizational goals. Also, they
are able to develop high potential, succession management system within firm to
achieve results. For instance, CEO of RBC Financial Group aims to become the most
successful and largest organization and thus such objective is directly linked with its
firm's capacity to attain and sustain competitive advantage. Also, it is crucial for leaders
to develop their skills and abilities in order to take initiative develop effective skills so
that they can attain continuous change and reinvention according to Panega (2007).
As per the view of Pue (2005), another crucial leadership theory is trait theory
which is based upon the features and attributes of different leaders that involves both
successful and unsuccessful. However, successful leaders possess unique interests,
abilities and personally traits as compared to ineffective leaders. Another advantage of
using such theory within leaders helps them to enhance their skills and abilities and
achieve desired goals. For instance, effective leaders possess different traits such as
drive, leadership motivation, honesty and integrity, self confidence, cognitive ability,
business knowledge, emotional maturity and others (Pue, 2005). Thus, it can be
assessed that key leadership traits helps leaders to acquire essential skills in order to
formulate organizational vision and develop effective plan in order to pursue it. Also, it is
crucial for leaders to adopt necessary action plan in order to implement the
organizational vision into reality. For instance, superior managers and executives of
company are required to adopt effective traits in order to accomplish goals. Thus,

Thomas Watson of IBM has been assessed as the leader who possess determination
trait in order to create a company larger than NCR. It helps leaders to achieve their
motive and ambition. However, trait theory is also useful for leaders in order to become
effective leaders and achieve set targets (Pasmore, 2014).
Furthermore, it can be assessed that trait theory has been adopted by leaders
that helps them to assume different capabilities and possess significant positive
relationship between leadership and personality traits such as intelligence, extroversion,
self efficacy and openness in order to enhance their experience. Thus, such leaders
have emerged themselves as leaders across a variety of situations and tasks so that
best goals can be achieved according to Gamage (2006). Basically trait theory is liked
with the personal traits of the leaders that they use within different leadership situations.
It identifies that a successful leader such as Adolf Hitler and Mahatma Gandhi possess
effective leadership traits and thus become successful so that best goals can be
attained. However, such abilities are not developed among individual, people are born
with such traits and thus inspire others to achieve desired results (Moving an
Organization towards Best Practice, 2014).
As per the opinion of Hodgkinson (2005), effective leaders must not only be full
of drive and ambition but they should be able to lead others and thus energize others to
work efficiently and achieve desired goals. Further, it has been assessed that
successful leaders are required to develop willingness in order to exercise power and
control over other subordinates and tell them to carry out best actions. Furthermore, it
can be evaluated that it is essential for leaders to develop a strategic vision and thus
achieve the desired goals. Following are the activities that need to be undertaken by the
leaders in order to create a successful implementation of vision. These are as follows-
 Structuring- It can be stated that within today's effective organizations it is
essential for leaders to develop effectual structure so that best flow of
information can be done (Lees and Mabey, 2007).
 Selecting and training- Further, leaders are required to ensure that they select
best people who possess effectual traits and thus assist them to implement the
vision. With the help of proper training it helps individual to enhance their skills
and attain organization's vision.

 Motivating- Leaders are also required to encourage others so that they can
communicate best message to followers (Mimouni and Metcalfe, 2011).
 Managing information- Also, leaders are required to manage the information
within firm. For instance, effective leaders need to possess such traits so that
they can encourage their subordinates to express their opinions and achieve
organizational goals. (Manion, 2011)
 Team building- Here, it is essential for leaders to achieve goals through
developing collaboration among each other and thus build team and execute
towards achieve goals.
 Promoting change and innovation- Further, effective leaders are required to
promote change and innovation (Makuwira, 2013).
Thus, it can be stated that trait theory is beneficial for leaders in order to enhance
their skills and abilities and execute organizational goals.
Furthermore, it can be assessed that contingency leadership theory is very useful
for leaders to achieve desired goals. As it helps them to develop their strategies as per
the situations and thus become task oriented. For instance, leaders of ASDA can
effectively determine the situation arises in the organization as according to that they
can adopt their leadership style such as autocratic, democratic and laissez faire style
(Owen, 2012). Thus, at the time of quick decision making it helps firm to build effectual
leaders and thus assists them to satisfy the needs of individuals and encourage them to
achieve organizational goals.
Usefulness/ implication of contingency and trait theory in different
forms organizations
Besides this, the contingency and trait theory have the usefulness for the
different organization. For example, for big and private organization contingency theory
seems more suitable. This is because, these firms confront with number of situations on
daily basis. In addition to this, such type of firm also faces immense competition from
the other firms. Thus, these firm will require such leader who can make an effective
decision in the changing environmental condition. However, for the small firms which
follows flat structure trait theory of leadership seems more appropriate. This is because,
such firms can be managed by the leader by having the combinations of different type

of traits such as communicator, motivator and problem solver etc. There are varied
examples of firms that uses different forms of leadership. Richard Branson of Virgin
Airlines uses democratic leadership style as it helps firm to involve each and every
individual to participate in decision making process so that best results can be attained.
Further, Steve Jobs of Apple uses autocratic leadership style in order to make
innovative and creative design and technology for customers. Also, Steve does not
involve other members in decision making because it is essential for Apple to remain
unique in global market. Further, it can be stated that it is essential for businesses to
use effective leadership style as it affects their working and thus helps in gaining best
outcomes. Sometimes democratic leadership style is not useful for small firms as they
are still at growing age and thus it is essential for management to implement effectual
strategy so that desired outcomes can be attained. While, for big businesses they
mainly undertake autocratic leadership style so that competitive position can be
attained.
Conclusion
Overall, it has also being assessed from the respective essay that the leader
must be dynamic and it must change its style of managing the people of enterprise as
per the situation which is being faced by it. This is because, if leader does not perform
this then it will become difficult for it with regard to mark an effective presence in the
environment which is highly competitive. Furthermore, the style of managing the people
should also be change by the leader as per the culture of country where it tends to
operate its operation. It can be evaluated that leadership is required to be dynamic in
environment so that competitive growth can be attained quickly and thus economic
integration can be achieved. However, effective leadership strategy helps managers to
become leaders and lead the business enterprise to attain organizational goals.
Thus, it is recommended to the leader that they must take help from the trait
theory when they want to get the information about the traits which they wanted to
improve. In the similar way, the leader should not stick upon one specific type of
leadership style. It is because, it must change its style of managing people as per the
condition which occur in front of it. Hence, it can be stated that leaders are required to
use effective leadership theory so that they can provide best information to people and