Leadership and Theory

Outline:
 What is Leadership?
 Leadership Theories
 Classical Leadership
 Contemporary Leadership
 Aesop’s Fable: The crab and his mother
Report:
 What is Leadership?
Northouse (2004) defined leadership as “the process whereby an individual influences a

group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (p. 3). Leadership is very important for the
effectiveness of an organization as well the success of a project or an activity.
 Leadership Theories
 Great Man Theory

 Trait Theory
 Behavioral Theory
 Contingency Theory
 Relationship Theory
 Participative Theory
 Management Theory
 Great Man Theory
This theory was called "great man" because it focused on identifying the innate qualities
and characteristics possessed by great social, political, and military leaders.
According to this theory, capacity for leadership is inborn, that is, a person is a natural
born leader. These born leaders are highly influential individuals, gifted with divine
inspiration and the right characteristics like charisma, intelligence, wisdom, political skills
etc. with a capability to have a decisive historical impact.
Description
 Leaders are often from aristocracy, rarely from lower classes
 In times of need great man would arise almost by magic.
For exa. - Jesus, Mohammad & Buddah
Assumptions
 Leaders are born not made
 Great leaders arise when there is a great need.
 Traits Theory (1930's - 1940's)
Essentially, the Traits Theory postulates that personal characteristics (e.g. personality
traits, cognitive skills, interpersonal skills) determine an individual's potential for
leadership roles (Furham, 2005). Thus, leadership is something intrinsic to the
individual.
This approach emphasizes leader’s attributes such as personality, motives, values, and
skills (Yukl, 2006).
Assumptions
• People are born with inherited traits
• Some traits are particularly suited to leadership
• People who become good leaders have the right combination of traits
 BEHAVIOR THEORY
This theory advocates that leadership is shown by acts rather than traits and that the
leadership is the result of effective role behavior.
The behavioral theory concentrated on the unique behavioral aspects found in leaders
that enabled them to attain effective leadership.
Behavioral theories of leadership are based upon the belief that great leaders are made,
not born.
According to this theory, people can learn to become leaders through teaching and
observation.
Descriptions
• Do not seek inborn traits or capabilities rather they look at what leaders actually do
• Easy to teach & learn then to adopt 'traits' or 'capabilities'.
Assumptions
• Leaders can be made rather than are born

• Successful leadership is based in definable, learnable behavior
 Contingency Theory
There is no one best way of leading and that a leadership style that is effective in some
situations may not be successful in others.
Leaders who are very effective at one place and time may become unsuccessful either
when transplanted to another situation or when the factors around them change.
Assumptions
The leader's ability to lead is contingent upon various situational factors, including the
leader's preferred style, the capabilities and behaviors of followers and also various
other situational factors.
 Relationship Theory
Relationship theory, also known as transformational theories focus upon the connections
formed between leaders and followers. Transformational leaders motivate and inspire
people by helping group members see the importance and higher good of the task.
Assumptions
These leaders are focused on the performance of group members, but also want every
person to fulfill their potential. Leaders with this style often have high ethical and moral
standards.
 Participative Theory
Participative leadership theory suggests that the ideal leadership style is one that takes
the input of others into account. These leaders encourage participation and
contributions from group members and help group members feel more relevant and
committed to the decision-making process. In participative theories, however, the leader
retains the right to allow the input of others.
 Management Theory
Management theories, also known as transactional theories, focus on the role of
supervision, organization, and group performance. These theories base
leadership on a system of rewards and punishments. Managerial theories are
often used in business; when employees are successful, they are rewarded and
when they fail, they are reprimanded or punished.
 Classical Leadership Style

 Contemporary Leadership
Classical and Contemporary Leadership Styles
Among various leadership styles, classical and contemporary leadership styles
are mostly in discussion over the centuries. In fact, in the majority of
organizations today, either of these two styles of leadership could be found
active.
1. Classical Leadership style: It is almost an autocratic leadership style. In
this style, the leader takes the leading role and works from the front. It was the
most prevalent leadership style during the 1960s to 1980s. The leader is
motivated by his own ego and determines a future plan of action himself. He
takes less advice from the peers or juniors, and tries to influence the employees
through motivational speech, and providing fringe benefits. In this leadership
style, the leader keeps little confidence on the subordinates and only likes to
direct them as per his own plan.
2. Contemporary Leadership style: It is the most sought after leadership
style these days. There are many organizations that value their employees’ goals
and prefer to align the organizational goal with the goals of the employees. This
helps the management to motivate their employees more easily, and leaders
don’t have to work hard and micromanage day-to-day organizational activities.
Resources:
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/leadership-definition-2948275#:~:text=Leadership%20is
%20the%20art%20of,to%20meet%20the%20company's%20needs.
https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-is-a-leader-and-how-do-you-become-one

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Outline:

Northouse (2004) defined leadership as “the process whereby an individual influences a

 Great Man Theory

 Great Man Theory

• Leaders can be made rather than are born

 Classical Leadership Style

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