The Main Approaches to Leadership (1, 2)

Question 1

What are the four different types of leadership?

Answer 1

Qualities of traits approach
Functional or group approach
Styles of leadership
Contingency theories

Question 2

What is the Qualities or Traits approach to leadership?

Answer 2

Analyses the qualities or traits of successful leaders. This is done over a number of leaders and generates a list of common qualities or traits. This approach believes leaders are born not made. These traits can then be looked for when selecting and promoting an organisations leaders.

Question 3

What is the Functional or Group approach to leadership?

Answer 3

Considers the roles, functions and responsibilities of leaders. When identified the arising behaviours can then be learned and developed. This allows anyone to get a leadership role.

Question 4

Give an example of functional or group approach to leadership?

Answer 4

Professor John Adairs action-centred leadership. Individuals are expected to fulfil 3 principle obligations or functions (Venn Diagram: Achieving the task, Building and maintaining the team, Developing the individual)

Question 5

What skills does a leader need?

Answer 5

Defining the objective
Briefing
Controlling
Evaluating
Leading by example
Motivating
Organising

Question 6

What is the Styles of Leadership approach to leadership?

Answer 6

presents the idea that leaders influence others more directly by adapting their style to the circumstances

Question 7

Give an example of Styles of Leadership approach to leadership.

Answer 7

Robert Tannenbaum and Warren Schmidts continuum of leadership styles. The style of leadership is affected by 3 forces
Situation - different situations drive a requirement for different forms of leadership, team size, organisational norms etc
Leader - the leadership style is driven by the leaders beliefs, values and preference. Style is dictated by the personality, experience and ability of leader
Individual - the impact of an individual on the leadership style is driven by the need for independence, tolerance of ambiguity, knowledge of problem, the individuals expectations.

Question 8

What 4 practical styles of leadership did Ashridge Management College apply to the Tannenbaum and Schmidt three broad approaches to leadership (Autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire)?

Answer 8

Tells - the leader identifies the problem, chooses the solution and tells this to individuals expected to implement it
Sells - the leader identifies the problem, chooses the solution and persuades them to accept the decision
Consults - includes a leader identifying the problem, but consulting with individuals before making a decision
Joins - the leader identifies the problem but the group is given the responsibility and authority to make decisions

Question 9

What is Douglas McGregor model using leadership styles?

Answer 9

All decisions are made based on assumptions, generalisations and theories. The leader will make a decision based on how they assume they will react. McGregor suggests two contrasting sets of assumptions
Theory X - people must be coerced and will always try to get out of work
Theory Y - individuals will exercise self-direction and self control seeking responsibility

Question 10

What are contingency approaches to procurement leadership? Name 3 different examples.

Answer 10

1. Fiedlers contingency model
2. Vroom-Yettons model
3. House and Dessiers path-goal theory
4. Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchards model of situational leadership using the levels of readiness to determine leadership approach

Question 11

What is Vroom-Yettons contingency model for leadership styles?

Answer 11

There are 3 aspects to a leaders decision making and leading style used:

1. Quality - the importance of identifying the right solution
2. Acceptance - the motivation and commitment required from the group needed to implement
3. Time - available to make the decision

Question 12

What did Fred Fiedlers contingency model suggest?

Answer 12

Leadership style is dependent on the “favourability” of the leadership situation which is comprised of:
Leader-member relations
Task structure
Position power
If a task is very favourable or unfavourable a directive approach could be taken. If it is in the middle the participation may be required.

Question 13

What is the ‘path-goal’ contingency theory developed by Robert House and Gary Dessler?

Answer 13

It says the perceptions, expectations and motivations have on an effect on the individuals performance.