Theories of leadership Flashcards
(21 cards)
What are the 3 things to take into consideration when choosing the right leadership style?
- Consideration of the situation
- The group
- The leader
What does Fiedler’s contingency model of leadership focus on?
Focuses on the situation
What does Fiedler’s model suggest?
That autocratic/task-orientated style of leadership is best used in two opposite situations: when everything is good (most favourable situation) and when everything is bad (least favourable situation)
What is best used for a moderately favourable situation?
A democratic/person-orientated style
What are the characteristics of a leadership in a most favourable situation?
- Leader has respect
- High ability
- High levels of motivation
- Task is clear
- Harmony between group and leader
What are the characteristics of a leadership in a moderately favourable situation?
- Team members will contribute
- Group is of reasonable ability
- Motivation is moderate
- Parts of the task are clear
- Good relationships
- Limited support
What are the characteristics of a leadership in a least favourable situation?
- Little respect for the leader
- Low ability
- Motivation is low
- Task is unclear
- The leader is weak
- Hostility between group members
What is an example of a most favourable situation?
A team which has played together for several years under the same captain and the team has good relationships. They have several set plays rehearsed. When the captain calls the play, they are all aware of what should happen and complete the move immediately.
What is an example of a least favourable situation?
An unpopular manager is placed in charge of a team. The team members may not show the new leader any respect. The new leader is unclear as to what is needed to motivate the team and what strategies to employ.
What is an example of a moderately favourable situation?
Two new players join a netball team. The whole team discuss which positions are best for them.
When is task-orientated leadership best used effectively?
- Cognitive performers
- Large groups
- Limited time
- Dangerous situations
- Males prefer this style
When is person-orientated leadership best used effectively?
- Advanced performers
- Small groups
- Unlimited time available
- Tasks are not dangerous
- Females prefer this style
What does Chelladurai’s multi-dimensional model of leadership look at?
Other factors that influence choice of leadership style - not just situation
What must the leader use to balance all the aspects out in Chelladueai’s model?
An interactive approach to balance out: situation, leader and group
Why is situation a factor in Chelladurai’s model?
Strength of the opponents, time available or if there is any danger involved
Why is leader a factor in Chelladurai’s model?
Their ability, personality, characteristics and preferred leadership style
Why is group a factor in Chelladurai’s model?
Ability levels, motivation of group, group size and relationships between group members/leader
What 3 other things is leadership style is also affected by?
- The required behaviour
- The actual behaviour
- The preferred behaviour
Why does required behaviour affect leadership style?
What the situation demands – a dangerous task such as trampolining would require an autocratic rather than a democratic approach to maintain safety levels
Why does actual behaviour affect leadership style?
Chosen by the leader (based on their ability) to match both the situation and the group demands, e.g. the leader considers all the factors and decides to adopt a democratic approach.
Why does preferred behaviour affect leadership style?
Is what the group want or prefer, e.g. a group of cognitive learners may want instructions on new tactics.
