Overview
This lecture covers key theories and characteristics of leadership, including traits, behaviors, contingency models, leadership styles, trust, and ethical considerations, with practical implications for identifying and developing effective leaders.
Defining Leadership
- Leadership is the ability to influence individuals or groups toward achieving a goal.
- Leaders can be in formal roles (managers) or informal (non-sanctioned leaders).
- Both natural and developed leaders exist; key traits include confidence, social intelligence, and vision.
Leadership Traits and Emotional Intelligence
- Extroversion is linked to motivation to lead, while agreeableness is less critical.
- Building trust and strong relationships enhances leadership effectiveness.
- Emotional intelligence (empathy, emotion management) is a strong predictor of leadership emergence.
Behavioral Theories of Leadership
- Key behaviors: initiating structure (organizing work, setting standards) and consideration (respect, support for employees).
- Both trait and behavioral theories offer insights but exact predictors of leadership success are complex.
Contingency and Situational Leadership Theories
- Fiedler's Contingency Model: leadership effectiveness depends on the match between leader style (task vs. relationship-oriented) and situational control (leader-member relations, task structure, position power).
- Situational Leadership Theory: successful leadership style depends on followers' readiness and ability, requiring leaders to adapt (telling, selling, participating, delegating).
- Leader Participation Model: leader’s involvement in decisions varies with task structure and situation; shared and fellowship models focus on distributed or follower-centric leadership.
Leadership in Crisis and Charismatic Leadership
- Crisis situations often reveal or elevate leaders (transformational, charismatic).
- Charismatic leaders communicate vision, take risks, show sensitivity, and can have both positive and negative organizational impacts.
Leadership Styles: Transactional and Transformational
- Transactional leaders focus on exchanges (rewards for performance).
- Transformational leaders inspire, motivate, and foster identification and fairness.
- Transformational leadership is linked to higher satisfaction, motivation, and performance.
Authentic, Ethical, Servant, and Abusive Leadership
- Authentic leaders act consistently with values and beliefs, earning trust.
- Ethical leaders model proper behavior; unethical leaders foster negative climates.
- Servant leaders prioritize followers’ growth and well-being.
- Abusive supervision leads to low satisfaction, performance, and morale.
Trust and Leadership
- Trust (integrity, benevolence, ability) enables risk-taking, sharing, and productivity.
- Loss of trust severely harms leadership effectiveness and group performance.
- Trust varies by culture and develops over time through consistent actions.
Attribution, Selection, and Development of Leaders
- Leadership is often attributed based on perceived traits and appearances.
- Identifying leaders involves assessing traits, experiences, and fit for organizational culture.
- Leadership training is more effective for those with innate leadership potential.
- Mentoring helps develop future leaders through guidance and example.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Leadership — The ability to influence people toward achieving goals.
- Emotional Intelligence — The ability to perceive, manage, and use emotions effectively.
- Initiating Structure — Organizing work, defining roles, setting goals.
- Consideration — Building mutual trust and respect.
- Contingency Theory — Leadership effectiveness depends on matching style to situation.
- Transformational Leadership — Inspiring and motivating followers beyond transactions.
- Transactional Leadership — Leadership based on reward and exchange.
- Servant Leadership — Putting followers’ needs first to help them grow.
- Abusive Supervision — Hostile behaviors by leaders harming subordinates.
- Trust — Willingness to be vulnerable based on positive expectations.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review chapter materials and lecture notes.
- Reflect on your own leadership style and areas for development.
- Prepare for discussions or assignments on leadership theories and case studies.