Leadership Theories Flashcards
Great Man Theory
Great leaders are born, not made
- Leadership can be learned
Trait Theory
Certain traits or charasteristics help to lead efficiently (extroversion, self-confidence, courage, charisma)
- There are so many traits that work for leadership, hard to narrow down an exhaustive list of traits.
- Some people who don’t have those traits are still great leaders (Warren Buffet)
Skills theory
Leaders need skills rather than traits
3 skill approach: techical, people, conceptual skills. which of the 3 is more important depends on the organizational level.
- Fails to explain why certain traits work, and others don’t
Style Theory
Every leader has a different syle of leading
Situational Theory
no one-size-fits-all model, every situation requires a different style and skills.
Leaders should adapt to the situation.
Contingency Theory
Even though every situation has its own requirements of leadership style and skills, the leaders still defaults to their own style, personality and approach.
–> Put the right leader in the right situation/organization.
Transactional Theory
This theory says that people will follow leadership if there is a fair and equitable transaction that takes place—if the incentives match what is required of them.
leader’s job is to find the right mix of rewards and punishments.
+ Self-motivated employees, order and structure, large organizations
- creativity, innovation
Transformational Leadership
<-> transactional theory
motivating, inspiring, caring for workers to create buy-in
leaders gain respect by changing the environment and relationship.
+ Trust, admiration, loyalty & respect –> harder working than expected
Leader-Member Exchange Theory
effective leadership if fair exchange between leader and followers
–> results in an in- and out- group
Servant Leadership
The leaders serves his workers by providing everything so the workers can work optimally.
+ trust and cooperation (Jesus approach)
- danger for too much focus on workers, instead of organization
