Leadership Theory
BA365 Leadership Theory Mid Term Paper
For this paper I decide to look at four of the leadership theories. The ones I chose are Trait, Contingency, Situational, and Behavioral. I will talk about the definitions of those four theories. Also I will discuss the overviews of the four theories including positives and negativities of each.
Leadership Theories
There is a wide and ever growing variety of theories to explain the concept and practice of leadership; to me leadership is a dynamic and complex process. Per our text book leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purposes. (Daft, 2011) The theories that I will talk about simplify leadership into different theories. The first I will talk about is the Trait Theory.
Trait theory assumes that people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership. (Cherry, 2012) Also Trait theories often identify particular personality or behavioral characteristics shared by leaders. (Cherry, 2012) Per our text book traits are the distinguishing personal characteristics of a leader, such as intelligence, honesty, self confidence, and appearance. (Daft, 2011)
Contingency Theories of leadership focus on particular variables related to the environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is best suited for the situation. (Cherry, 2012) Success with this theory depends upon a number of variables and qualities of the followers and aspects of the situation. (Cherry, 2012)
Situational Theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variables. (Cherry, 2012) Per our book the Hersey and Blanchard’s extension of the leadership grid focusing on the characteristics of followers as the important element of the situation, and consequently, of determining effective leader behavior. (Daft, 2011)
Behavioral theories leadership is based upon the belief that great
For this paper I decide to look at four of the leadership theories. The ones I chose are Trait, Contingency, Situational, and Behavioral. I will talk about the definitions of those four theories. Also I will discuss the overviews of the four theories including positives and negativities of each.
Leadership Theories
There is a wide and ever growing variety of theories to explain the concept and practice of leadership; to me leadership is a dynamic and complex process. Per our text book leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purposes. (Daft, 2011) The theories that I will talk about simplify leadership into different theories. The first I will talk about is the Trait Theory.
Trait theory assumes that people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership. (Cherry, 2012) Also Trait theories often identify particular personality or behavioral characteristics shared by leaders. (Cherry, 2012) Per our text book traits are the distinguishing personal characteristics of a leader, such as intelligence, honesty, self confidence, and appearance. (Daft, 2011)
Contingency Theories of leadership focus on particular variables related to the environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is best suited for the situation. (Cherry, 2012) Success with this theory depends upon a number of variables and qualities of the followers and aspects of the situation. (Cherry, 2012)
Situational Theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variables. (Cherry, 2012) Per our book the Hersey and Blanchard’s extension of the leadership grid focusing on the characteristics of followers as the important element of the situation, and consequently, of determining effective leader behavior. (Daft, 2011)
Behavioral theories leadership is based upon the belief that great
References: Behavioral Approach. (2012). Retrieved September 20, 2012 from http://qualities-of-a-leader.com/behavioral-approach/ Cherry, K (2012). Leadership Theories – 8 Major Leadership Theories. Retrieved September 20, 2012 from http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/p/leadtheories.htm Contingency Theory of Leadership (2012). Retrieved September 20, 2012 from http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Organizational%20Communication/Contingency_Theories.doc/ Daft, R.L. (2011). The Leadership Experience (5th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage Learning. Smith, C (2012). Contingency Theory of Leadership. Retrieved September 20, 2012 from http://www.articlesbase.com/leadership-articles/contingency-theory-of-leadership-1907810.html Trait Theory of Leadership. (2012). Retrieved September 20, 2012 from http://managementstudyguide.com/trait-theory-of-leadership.htm What is the Situational Leadership Theory? (2010). Retrieved September 20, 2012 from http://www.businessmate.org/Article.php?ArtikelId=191