Trait theories of leadership
• Personal qualities and characteristics that differentiate leaders from non-
leaders.
• Extraversion to be the most predictive trait of effective leadership.
• Sociable and dominant people are more likely to assert themselves in group
situations, which can help extraverts be identified as leaders.
• Conscientiousness and openness to experience may predict leadership,
especially leader effectiveness.
Trait theories of leadership
Behavioral theories of leadership
• Specific behaviors that differentiate leaders from non-leaders.
• We can train people to be leaders.
• Two dimensions of the leadership behavior:
A)- initiating structure.
B)- Consideration
Behavioral theories of leadership
A)- Initiating structure:
The extent to which a leader is likely to define and structure his or her role and
those of subordinates in the search for goal attainment.
A leader high in initiating structure is someone who assigns followers particular
tasks, sets definite standards of performance, and emphasizes deadlines (Task-
oriented).
Behavioral theories of leadership
B)- Consideration:
The extent to which a leader is likely to have job relationships characterized by
mutual trust, respect for subordinates’ ideas, and regard for their feeling.
A leader high in consideration helps employees with personal problems, is friendly
and approachable, treats all employees as equals, and expresses appreciation and
support (people-oriented).
Behavioral theories of leadership
The followers of leaders high in consideration (people-oriented):
a)- More satisfied with their jobs.
b)- More motivated.
c)-More respect for their leaders.
Initiating structure (task-oriented) was more :
a)- Strongly related to higher levels of group and organization productivity.
b)- More positive performance evaluations
Behavioral theories of leadership
the GLOBE program, a study of 18,000 leaders from 825 organizations in 62
countries, suggested there are international differences in the preference for
initiating structure and consideration.
The study found that leaders high in consideration (people-oriented) succeeded
best in countries where cultural values did not favor unilateral decision making,
such as Brazil
Situational Leadership Theory (SLT)
Successful leadership depends on selecting the right leadership style contingent
on the followers’ readiness.
The extent to which followers are willing and able to accomplish a specific task.
Ability to do task Willing to do task
Able Willing
Followers
Unable Unwilling
Situational leadership theory(SLT)
A leader should choose one of four behaviors depending on follower readiness:
1)- If followers are unable and unwilling to do a task, the leader needs to give
clear and specific directions (one way communication = only tell).
2)- if they are unable but willing, the leader needs to display a high task
orientation to compensate for followers’ lack of ability, and high relationship
orientation to get them to “buy into” the leader’s desires (sell not tell).
Situational Leadership Theory (SLT)
A leader should choose one of four behaviors depending on follower readiness:
3)- If followers are able but unwilling, the leader needs to use a supportive and
participative style.
4)- If they are both able and willing, the leader doesn’t need to do much
(delegative style).
Leader participation model
Provides a set of rules to determine the form and amount of participative
decision making in different Situations.
What types of decisions might be best made with subordinate participation
(routine, non-routine, or in between)
Contemporary leadership theories
Charismatic leadership and (transactional \ transformational) leadership:
These theories share a common theme in the great leader:
Individuals who inspire followers through words, ideas, and behaviors.
Charismatic leadership
What is the meaning of charisma?
Followers attribute heroic or extraordinary leadership abilities when they observe
certain behaviors, and tend to follow these leaders power.
Charismatic leadership
How charismatic leaders influence Followers?
1)- Vision:
long-term strategy for attaining a goal(s), by linking the present with a better
future : I have dream. Yes, we can (Fit the times and circumstances).
Reflect the uniqueness of the organization.
Charismatic leadership
How charismatic leaders influence Followers?
2)- Tone of cooperation and mutual support.
3)- Build followers’ self-esteem and confidence with high performance
expectations and the belief that followers can attain them.
4)- Conveys a new set of values and sets an example for followers to imitate.
5)- Engages in emotion-inducing and often unconventional behavior to
demonstrate courage and conviction about the vision.
Transformational leadership
Transformational leadership:
leaders able to motivate followers to perform:
Above expectations.
Extra effort from workers.
Higher productivity.
Higher morale and satisfaction.
Higher organizational effectiveness.
Lower turnover, lower absenteeism.
Greater organizational adaptability
Is the Transactional is opposite to the
Transformational leadership?
No, as they complement each other; they aren’t opposing approaches to getting
things done.
The best leaders are transactional and transformational.