Traditional and modern theories of leadership Flashcards
What are Universalist theories?
These look at the personal qualities or characteristics which are shared by great leaders. (‘Great man theory’). Argues that great leaders are born and not made- the nature side of the nature-nurture argument.
What are Behavioural theories?
These look at specific qualities shown by leaders as opposed to the personal qualities of leaders.
What is the R.M. Stogdill and A.E. Coons study about?
These researchers at Ohio State Uni collated data from numerous studies and identified over 100 behaviours shown by leaders. These were further analysed to fall into 2 categories.
What are the two distinct categories of behaviour?
Initiating structure and Consideration
What is initiating structure?
This includes allocating tasks to people, creating tasks and groups, setting deadlines and ensuring they are met.
What is consideration?
This is when leaders show genuine concern for the feelings of their workers. Will show trust and respect. Listen more than the other category and improve performance by boosting self-confidence.
What is task-oriented behaviour? - Uni of Michigan
Studies were taken at the University of Michigan and this produced 2 main types of behaviour.
TOB refers to behaviours that focus specifically on the task (like the initiating structure) Will set targets and standards, supervise and monitor.
What is Relationship-oriented behaviour? - Uni of Michigan
Studies were taken at the University of Michigan and this produced 2 main types of behaviour.
ROB refers to behaviours that focus more on the well-being of the workforce. these leaders spend time understanding the interpersonal relationship between workers and workers and managers. (like ‘consideration’ behaviour)
What is Adaptative leadership?- Heifetz et al (1997-2009)
As organisations grow larger, traditional forms of leadership may be failing. The organisation may need to adapt to the new changes.
They argue that instead of providing solutions, the leader facing adaptive challenges must be able to shift the responsibility for change to the entire workforce.
Disadvantages of adaptative leadership
Maybe distressing as some people may have to learn new skills, align with new values or even accept that there is no longer a place for them in the organisation.
Employees are used to managers coming up with solutions and this too will have to change.
Characteristics of adaptive leadership
Leaders will no longer protect the employees. Their role is no longer to maintain and support the organisation but to allow disorientation, conflict and challenge to create a new organisation that can survive.
Differences between Traditional and adaptive leadership.
Traditional- about authority and issuing directions to others.
Adaptive- About helping others find their inner authority.
Traditional- About maintaining organisation values and norms
A- about challenging these norms and exploring new ways of working
T- makes use of skills available
A- pushes boundaries and attempts to extend skills
T- is about tired and testing solutions based on prior experience
A- About new solutions which have not been tested. unknown outcomes
T- useful in times of certainty
A- Useful in times of uncertainty
What are the six principles of adaptive leadership?
Get on the balcony; Identify the adaptive change; Regulate distress; maintain disciplined attention; give the work back to people; protect voices of leadership from below
PRIM GG
What is ‘get on the balcony’?
An adaptive leader needs to see the big picture and view the organisation as if they were observing from above.
what is Identify the adaptive change?
Leader needs to be able to not only identify the needed change but the extent and nature of the change required.
