Leadership I Flashcards
Define leadership
The influence that particular individuals exert on employees’ goal achievement in organizations
What are the four components of leadership?
- Influence
- Process
- Group
- Common goal achievement
Describe how influence relates to leadership
Influence is using power to affect others. Without influence you cannot have leadership, because leaders have to change the attitudes and behaviours of others
Describe how process relates to leadership
Process looks at what leaders do. Leadership is all about doing - what do leaders do to increase their workers’ motivation and happiness?
Describe how groups relate to leadership
The leader doesn’t work along. They need a group around them to help them succeed
Describe how common goal achievement relates to leadership
Leaders are responsible for directing a group of people to achieve something together; they must inspire cooperation
What are the three leadership theories?
- Trait theories
- Behavioural theories
- Situational/contingency theories
Define trait theories of leadership
The theory that individual characteristics translate to good leadership
Define behavioural theories of leadership
The theory that leadership is a process; it looks at what people actually do to make their followers more productive
Define situational/contingency theories of leadership
The theory that good leaders fit the best leadership style to the environment
How accurate is the trait theory of leadership?
Traits aren’t going to predict effective leadership across the board; it depends on other factors like timing and circumstances. Some traits can lead to leadership, but not necessarily all the time
What are the limitations to the trait approach of leadership?
- Traits are not strongly linked to leadership
- It does not take into account the situation in which leadership occurs
- It does not tell us what leaders do to influence others successfully
According to the trait approach to leadership, can leadership be learned?
No; you have to be born with “leadership traits”
According to the behaviour approach to leadership, can leadership be learned?
Yes; leadership can be learned, practiced, and developed
What are the two main behaviours of leadership?
- Consideration
2. Initiating structure
Define consideration behaviours of leadership
The leader is approachable, shows concern, and is supportive
Define initiating structure behaviours of leadership
The degree to which leader behaviours facilitate group goal attainment
What characteristics are shown by leaders exhibiting consideration behaviours?
- Friendly, pleasant, agreeable
- Care for other people’s welfare, happiness, progress, and success
- Encouraging, mentoring, helpful
What characteristics are shown by leaders exhibiting initiating structure behaviours?
- Focus is on goal attainment, defining schedules and roles, and assigning employees to tasks
- Less time on “people issues”, more time directing workers
What are consideration behaviours related to?
Follower satisfaction, motivation, and perceptions of leader effectiveness
What are initiating structure behaviours related to?
- Leader and group performance
2. Employee productivity
What is one caution with consideration behaviours?
Just because people feel motivated and feel like they are producing well, it doesn’t mean they are. If they feel too comfortable they might not put in as much effort
What are the limitations to the behavioural approach of leadership?
They do not consider the situation in which the behaviour occurs; different tasks, employees, and situations require different kinds of leadership
What is the main point of situational leadership theories?
The effectiveness of leadership behaviours do not generalize across all situations; the effectiveness of any behaviour depends on the situation
What are the two best known situational leadership theories?
- Fiedler’s contingency theory
2. House’s path-goal theory
Define path-goal theory
The theory that a leader’s job is to assist followers in attaining their goals
According to path-goal theory, how can leaders best assist followers in attaining their goals?
Leaders can get rid of the problems that are in the way of their employees goals. The leader must work to resolve the task so that the employee can do their job to the best of their ability
Path-goal theory consists of what two sets of contingencies (situations)?
- Environmental variables
2. Characteristics of employees
How can effective leaders enhance goal-oriented performance according to path-goal theory? (5 things)
- Enhancing motivation
- Enhancing abilities of followers
- Providing guidance
- Reducing obstacles
- Providing resources to facilitate performance
According to path-goal theory (a theory within situational theories), what are the four types of leadership behaviours?
- Directive/contingency behaviours
- Supportive behaviours
- Participative behaviours
- Achievement oriented behaviours
Define directive/contingency behaviours (according to path-goal theory)
Structuring behaviours
When are directive behaviours most effective?
When individuals have difficulty doing tasks or the tasks are ambiguous
What are some examples of directive behaviours?
Scheduling, directing, telling people what to do, instructing
Define supportive behaviours (according to path-goal theory)
Consideration behaviours
When are supportive behaviours most effective?
When individuals are under stress or otherwise show that they need to be supported
What are some examples of supportive behaviours?
Being accommodating for employees who need some off for child care
Define participative behaviours (according to path-goal theory)
Getting employees involved in the decision making
When are participative behaviours most effective?
When individuals need to buy into decisions or have a high need for empowerment or autonomy
What are some examples of participative behaviours?
Getting employees opinions in the decision-making process; getting everyone to brainstorm ideas for a new work-volunteer program
Define achievement-oriented behaviours (according to path-goal theory)
Inspiring employees to feel like they can accomplish more (building self-esteem and self-efficacy)
When are achievement-oriented behaviours most effective?
When individuals like challenges and are highly motivated; when there are challenging tasks that require inspiration to boost their morale and performance
What are the strengths of path-goal theory?
- Generally supported by research
2. Considers employees, situation, and leader
What are the weaknesses of path-goal theory?
- Dependent on leaders recognizing the various situations
2. Dependent on leaders being able to adjust behaviours to various situations
What are the moderators in path-goal theory?
Environmental factors and employee characteristics
Define emergent leadership
When a leader emerges in a leaderless group
What are the two types of emergent leaders?
- Task leader
2. Social-emotional leader
Define task leader
The emergent leader who is concerned with accomplishing the task
Define social-emotional leader
The emergent leader who reduces tension, manages disagreements, settles arguments, and maintains morale
What are the advantages of participative leadership?
- Increased employee motivation
- Increased quality
- Increases employee acceptance
What are the disadvantages of participative leadership?
- Increases time and energy needed
- Leaders may perceive loss of power
- Lack of receptivity or knowledge
