Leadership Theories of Businesses and Organizations

Question: Discuss about the Leadership Theories of Businesses and Organizations. Answer: Introduction: Leadership theories have played a crucial role in advancing businesses and organizations across the globe. It must be noted that theories of leadership have often acted as the keys to success in terms of organizational growth and development. Myriads of leadership theories have been proposed by scholars and academicians in several fields and specifically in the field of management, and among those advocated leadership theories, four leadership theories deserve special mention, viz. Fiedlers Contingency Theory, Situational Leadership Theory (developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard), Path-Goal Theory, and Leader Substitute Model. Fred Fiedlers Contingency Theory appeared in his work, Leader Attitudes and Group Effectiveness that was published in 1958 (Leadership-central.com, 2016). Classified under the genre of contingency theories, Fiedlers theory states that, the efficacy of a leader does not solely depend on the style of leading, but it is also reliant on the degree of control over a particular situation (Leadership-central.com, 2016). A good leadership needs to develop a good leader-follower/member relation, and it is also imperative for a good leader to convey to the followers, clearly, the goals that are to be accomplished (Leadership-central.com, 2016). Good leadership also depends largely on the ability of the leader to use rewards and punishments effectively in the course of motivating followers/members/employees (Leadership-central.com, 2016). Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory or simply, Situational Leadership Theory advocates the role of situation in determining the efficacy of a leader. The theory states that there is no single leadership style that can be considered the best, and that, the quality and efficacy of leadership depends largely upon each individual situation (Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory, 2016). The theory states that the key ingredients required for a leader to succeed include goal-setting capability, capacity to assume responsibility and accountability, education, and experience in handling difficult situations (Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory, 2016). It is noteworthy that, For Hershey and Blanchard, tasks are different and each type of task requires a different leadership style (Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory, 2016). Another important theory of leadership is the Path-Goal Theory which states that good leaders should encourage and support their followers in the course of accomplishing the given goals and objectives by making the path they should take clear and easy (Changingminds.org, 2016). This theory states that a leader must clarify the path to success to his/her subordinates so that the subordinates can ascertain the right direction (Changingminds.org, 2016). The theory puts the burden of responsibility of removing roadblocks for the subordinates on the shoulders of the leaders, and it holds leaders accountable for increasing rewards along the route to success that subordinates take being influenced by the leaders (Changingminds.org, 2016). The Leader Substitute Model or Substitutes for Leadership Theory, on the other hand, states that there are certain circumstances in which situational factors may eventually substitute for leadership (ORG Module Unit 6: Leadership, n.d.). There are certain situational factors, which, according to the model, may neutralize leadership and may thereby prevent the leadership from taking any action (ORG Module Unit 6: Leadership, n.d.). It is noteworthy that situational or organizational factors like job design, group cohesion, employee/follower characteristics, etc, may contribute to the process of substituting leaders in a given situation (ORG Module Unit 6: Leadership, n.d.). In this respect the theory proposes that, Well-designed jobs that provide clarity, meaning and intrinsic motivation should require little guidance and inspiration from a leader (ORG Module Unit 6: Leadership, n.d.). In conclusion, myriads of leadership theories have been proposed by scholars and academicians in several fields and specifically in the field of management, and among those advocated leadership theories, four leadership theories deserve special mention, viz. Fiedlers Contingency Theory, Situational Leadership Theory (developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard), Path-Goal Theory, and Leader Substitute Model. References Changingminds.org (2016). Path-Goal Theory of Leadership. Retrieved December 18, 2016, from https://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/path_goal_leadership.htm Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory (2016). Retrieved December 18, 2016, from https://www.leadership-central.com/situational-leadership-theory.html#axzz4TA2sRHn8 Leadership-central.com (2016). Fiedler's Contingency Theory. Retrieved December 18, 2016, from https://www.leadership-central.com/fiedler's-contingency-theory.html#axzz4TA2sRHn8 ORG Module Unit 6: Leadership (n.d.). 6.7 Substitutes for Leadership. Retrieved December 18, 2016, from https://www.le.ac.uk/oerresources/psychology/organising/page_13.htm