Leadership Theories Flashcards
What is McGregor’s theory called
Theory X and theory Y
What is McGregors theory concerned with
How a manager perceived staff
How does a theory X manager perceive staff
- Inherently lazy, disliking work and responsibility
- Lacking the will and ability to work unsupervised
- Lacking initiative
- Motivated by money
How does a theory Y manager view employees
- Enjoying work if the right conditions are created
- Willing to accept responsibility and challenges
- Creative and willing to contribute
- Self-disciplined
- Not motivated solely by money
What is the typical leadership style of a theory X manager
Autocratic
How can theory X be a self fulfilling prophecy?
Managers opinion causes demotivation
Worker performs badly
Cement managers opinion
Why is a theory y manager likely to have a more productive workforce
Beliefs of manager will always be reflected by employees performance, which in this case is positive/motivating
Draw Blake and mouton’s leadership grid
People needs on left Task needs on bottom Low, high for each Country club Team leader Impoverished Authoritarian Middle of the road
What is meant by a country club leader
- Managers main concern is well-being if team
One advantage of country club leader
- High morale due to feeling of belonging
Disadvantage of country club leader
Workers may take advantage of their ‘nice approach’
What is meant by an authoritarian leader (Blake and monton)
Managers main concern is with the task rather than employee well-being
Advantage of an authoritarian leader
Useful for low skilled employees
Disadvantage of authoritarian leadership
Can lead to resentment and lack of commitment, therefore reduced productivity
What is meant by an impoverished leader
A manager that has a lack of concern for either task or people needs
Disadvantage of impoverished leader
The attitudes of the manager will be reflected throughout whole team/organisation, so productivity and morale is low
What is meant by a team leader (Blake and monton)
A manager that has a strong and equal regard for both employee and task needs
Advantage of a team leader
High levels of morale/motivation are accompanied by high productivity
What is meant by a middle of the road leader
A manager who compromises between the 2 sets of needs, neither set of needs is met and less than optimal outcomes are achieved
Disadvantage of middle of the road
Leader is indicisive so growth/improvement in production doesn’t occur
What does Carlyle and Golton’s trait theory concern
The 5 characteristics exhibited by successful leaders, that can’t be taught
What are Carlyle and Golton’s 5 characteristics
- Motivational
- Integrity (having strong moral principles)
- Self-confidence (being assured)
- Creativity (new ideas)
- Intelligence (able time reason and solve problems)
Benefits of Carlyle and Golton’s trait theory
- Is straightforward to identify the characteristics which a leader does or does not possess
Drawback of Carlyle and Golton’s trait theory
- Suggests that other traits are not useful for strong leadership eg respect for workers or team work
- Assumes traits can’t be taught
What are the 4 leadership styles in tannenbaum and Schmidt’s contingency approach
- Tell
- Sell
- Consult
- Participate
What is meant by ‘tell’ in Tannenbaum and Schmidt’s
The manager making a decision and employees complying with this (can be seen as autocratic)
No opportunity for employees to be involved in decision making
What is meant by ‘sell’ in Tannenbaum and Schmidt’s
The manager making a decision and persuading employees to adopt it, there is an opportunity for feedback
What is meant by ‘consult’ in Tannenbaum and Schmidt’s
Manager presents ideas to employees and invites discussion, therefore offering a more collaborative approach.
Two-way communication is the norm so leader listens to feedback
What is meant by participate in Tannenbaum and Schmidt’s
Manager will allow employees to make decisions, although usually within defined limits or boundaries.
Emphasis on employees so a democratic style
What are the three parts to Adair’s three circles theory
Task
Team
Individual
What does ‘team’ concern in Adair’s three circles theory
Establishing a style or culture within a group, developing cooperation and being able to anticipate and resolve conflict
What does task concern in Adair’s three circles theory
Creating a plan with aims and visions, including responsibilities to complete the task
What does ‘individual’ concern in Adair’s three circles theory
Understand team members as individuals, so that you can give them applicable assistance, support, responsibilities, objectives, recognition and praise
Why do the circles in Adair’s model overlap
Representation that too much time and resources spent on one aspect could lead to the detriment of another
2 Benefits of Adair’s theory
- Suggests leadership traits can be taught, unlike Carlyle and Golton
- Ensures all areas of strong leadership are considered
One limitation of Adair’s theory
- Not realistic or achievable to include all aspects at once as they naturally conflict each other
