Leadership Flashcards
Definition of leadership
- the behavioural process of influencing individuals and groups towards set goals
Theories of leadership
1) Great Man Theory
- leaders inherit specific traits-this enables them to be effective
- leaders posses intelligence, self confidence, assertion and dominating personality
- does not take into account how leaders were emerged, the situation and the type of group being lead
2) Social Learning Theory
- suggests all behaviour patterns are learnt due to environmental influences- vicarious experiences
- however it makes no allowance for any aspect of the trait approach
3) Interactionist Theory
- combines both the trait theory and influences of the environment
- it takes into account for the need for differing behaviour patterns, depending on the situation, characteristics of group and required outcome
Leadership Styles
Autocratic leader - very little member input - task orientated this style of leadership is most effective when: 1) large numbers of performance 2) decisions have to made quickly 3) limited time to complete the task 4) clear and specific goals 5) fans is dangerous
Democratic Leader
- encourages group to disuse ideas- he or she makes the final decision
- more informal and relaxed within a group
this style of leadership is most effective when:
1) involves individual sports
2) performer more experienced
3) friendly relationships
4) limited facilities available
5) decisions don’t have to be made quickly
Laissez-faire leader
- leaves group to their own devices allowing them to make their own decisions
- he adopts a passive role
- they usually become aggressive to each other, do little work and give up easily
Task otientated/ autocratic approach is suited to
1) larger groups
2) older players
3) male performers
4) novice performers
Relationship orientated/ democratic approach is suited to
1) small groups
2) younger players
3) female performers
4) experienced players
Selection of leaders
1) Prescribed Leader
- individual appointed to lead the group by higher authority- manager or NGB
2) Emergent Leader
- an individual becomes a leader based on support within a team- nominated based on ability and expertise
Fiedlers Contingency Model
- this suggests the effectiveness of a leader is dependent on a combination of personality traits and the situation
- he identifies 2 types
1) TASK ORIENTATED ( autocratic) - concentrates on efficiency, setting goals and completing task as quick as possible this approach is desirable when > situation is dangerous > time is limited > large numbers > quick decisions r required
2) RELATIONSHIP ORIENTATED (democratic)- concentrates on developing interpersonal relationships this is useful when: > time is available > consultation required > personal support
- the effectiveness of each style depends on the favourableness of the situation which is dependent on
1) leader and group relationship
2) leaders position of power/ authority
3) tad structure - task orientated would be effective in favourable situation
- relationship orientated would be better employed in moderate favourable situations
Chelleadurai multi dimensional model
- this suggests before a leadership style can be chosen, 3 characteristics must be considered
1) situational characteristic- factors such as task difficulty, the nature of the opposition, the size of group and time
2) leader characteristics- personality, experience, skill level and leadership style
3) group members characteristics- ability, motivation, age, gender and personality - the next stage invoke a considering the 3 types of leader behaviour
4) REQUIRED BEHAVIOUR- depending on the situation and the task- the coach may need to give instructions quickly during time out
5) ACTUAL BEHAVIOUR- the leaders actions in a situation
6) PREFERRED BEHAVIOUR- what the group want depending on their skill and goals- eg a team which is goal orientated will want clear instructions
Qualities of an effective leader
1) determined
2) effective decision making
3) confident
4) organised
5) vision
6) approachable
7) inspirational
8) good communication
Outline the characteristics of a favourable situation and name the style of leadership that should be used when this occurs. (4 marks)
A. Task-centred/task-orientated/autocratic leadership style
B. Leader respected by group
C. Leader has good relationship with group
D. Group highly motivated
E. Group high ability/highly successful
F. Clear task/goal/roles
G. Good support network
H. Good resources/equipment/facilities
Identify three characteristics of a good leader and explain the difference between an
emergent leader and a prescribed leader. (3 marks)
A. Characteristics (any 3 from) confident/organised/inspirational/good communicator/knowledgeable/visionary/good decision maker/ interpersonal skills/approachable/ determined/empathy/charismatic/motivational/
B. Emergent leader – group approval/elected by the team
C. Prescribed leader – appointed by external authority to lead the group
Describe the two styles of leadership identified by Fiedler and the situation in
which each is most effective. (2 marks)
- Task-orientated/autocratic and relationship-orientated/personorientated/
democratic - Task-orientated/autocratic – most and least favourable and relationship orientated/
person-orientated/democratic – moderately favourable
The effectiveness of these styles depends on whether the situation is favourable. What factors determine the ‘favourableness’ of the situation?
(3 marks)
- Quality of leader’s relationship with group
- Leader’s level of authority
- Resources available eg facilities/equipment/time
- Demands of task/environment/danger
Using examples, explain why a leader, when choosing a leadership style, needs to consider the characteristics of the group they are leading. (2 marks)
- Larger group – task – orientated/autocratic or smaller group – relationorientated/
democratic - Younger teams – relation-orientated/democratic or older teams –
autocratic/task-orientated - Female teams – relation-orientated/democratic or males – task
orientated/autocratic style - Elite/highly skilled prefer relationship-orientated/democratic or novices/weaker
players prefer task – orientated/autocratic
