1 LEADERSHIP THEORIES Leadership approaches describe the methods and the different models that are adopted in the managerial process by the managers who act as the leaders of the organization. The styles range from small businesses to huge and wide businesses. The contingency and the path theories are ways taken up in the analyzing leadership. Which analyze and describe the different models taken up by leaders and the followers and the strategies that are taken up. The relationship between the leaders the followers as well as the main basics taken up also are defined in the models of the leadership. The contingency theory is a behavioral theory which is based on the view that there is not a specific best way to lead an organization make a decision or to organize cooperation. The theory must take account of the situations in which the leaders operate (Paulsen, 2013). The theory spells that the moves and decisions as well as the leadership systems are influenced by both the external and the internal factors. Basically there is no single theory of contingency management rather there are certain important contingencies for organizations which are the technology, customers and competitors, suppliers, distributers the government (Quader, 2011). In addition the decision making process for any organization is determined by a variety of factors. These factors range from the importance of the decision, the amount and nature of the available information, the likelihood of the decision to be accepted by the subordinates to how well the employees are motivated. This theory proposes that a person’s actions cannot be predetermined. However they are dependent on the situation at that moment and instance. The contingent theory of management emphasizes that the effectiveness of leadership is dependent on the combination and the matching between the leadership style and the situation. Hereby the situation is defined in terms of the relation between the leader and the member; measure of the leadership acceptance between the different hierarchies in the organization, the task structure; a measure of the clarity of the tasks or projects as well as the positional power which measures the amount of authority the leader has to influence the productivity of the followers. The leaders style is defined as either task or relations oriented. These tasks are simply the projects that are taken up and the relations are defined as the different relations that exist between the leaders and the followers (McShane & Glinow, 2014). The contingency theory is one of the more common leadership theories. Its basis is that leadership emerges when different kinds of people are encased in different kinds of situations. The path goal theory of leadership was developed to describe the way that the leaders encourage and support their followers in the achievement of the goals set by setting up a clear and easy path to be taken in the goal attainment process (Quader, 2011). The leaders t.

1. 1
LEADERSHIP THEORIES
Leadership approaches describe the methods and the different
models that are adopted in the managerial process by the
managers who act as the leaders of the organization. The styles
range from small businesses to huge and wide businesses. The
contingency and the path theories are ways taken up in the
analyzing leadership. Which analyze and describe the different
models taken up by leaders and the followers and the strategies
that are taken up. The relationship between the leaders the
followers as well as the main basics taken up also are defined in
the models of the leadership.
The contingency theory is a behavioral theory which is based on
the view that there is not a specific best way to lead an
organization make a decision or to organize cooperation. The
theory must take account of the situations in which the leaders
operate (Paulsen, 2013). The theory spells that the moves and
decisions as well as the leadership systems are influenced by
both the external and the internal factors. Basically there is no
single theory of contingency management rather there are
certain important contingencies for organizations which are the
technology, customers and competitors, suppliers, distributers
the government (Quader, 2011). In addition the decision making
process for any organization is determined by a variety of
factors. These factors range from the importance of the
decision, the amount and nature of the available information,
the likelihood of the decision to be accepted by the subordinates
to how well the employees are motivated. This theory proposes
that a person’s actions cannot be predetermined. However they
are dependent on the situation at that moment and instance.
The contingent theory of management emphasizes that the
effectiveness of leadership is dependent on the combination and

2. the matching between the leadership style and the situation.
Hereby the situation is defined in terms of the relation between
the leader and the member; measure of the leadership
acceptance between the different hierarchies in the
organization, the task structure; a measure of the clarity of the
tasks or projects as well as the positional power which measures
the amount of authority the leader has to influence the
productivity of the followers.
The leaders style is defined as either task or relations oriented.
These tasks are simply the projects that are taken up and the
relations are defined as the different relations that exist between
the leaders and the followers (McShane & Glinow, 2014). The
contingency theory is one of the more common leadership
theories. Its basis is that leadership emerges when different
kinds of people are encased in different kinds of situations.
The path goal theory of leadership was developed to describe
the way that the leaders encourage and support their followers
in the achievement of the goals set by setting up a clear and
easy path to be taken in the goal attainment process (Quader,
2011). The leaders take up the role to clarify the path to be
taken by the followers, eliminate the roadblocks and the
hindrances as well as the increasing of the rewards along the
process.
This theory of leadership takes up several means and models of
leadership and administrative structure. Supportive leadership is
lined with the understanding of the employees’ needs and their
welfare that then is used in the development of a friendly
environment for their development and effective working. The
development of the follower’s self-esteem and making the job
more interesting are aimed by this system of leadership
especially when the working environment is stressful and
boring.
The path theory is a specific manifestation of the contingency
theory. The path is one that is defined by struggle whereby
much work is needed to be done to reach the laid goals.
Leadership is crucial in this situation in that the nature of the

3. path and the routes to be taken can end up being frustrating
(McShane & Glinow, 2014).
A path theory of leadership stresses charisma and the
motivation of the followers. It is a source of the motive power
and enthusiasm which also stresses the idea that a leader should
set out the nature of the route the team must travel in ensuring
that the goal set is attained easily. The issues revolve around
the nature of the route a team must take up to attain the set
goals. The degree to which the leaders take up the role to make
the path clear the easier it gets for the followers to attain the
goals.
A directive leadership model of the path theory of leadership
describes the model whereby the leaders tell the followers what
they are supposed to do alongside giving the guidance along the
way. The allocations of specific schedules and time or the
specific work to be done are also taken up. The rewards may
also be increased and the role ambiguity reduced in that the
followers are made aware of what is required of them. This may
be applied where the task is unstructured and complex and also
when the follower is inexperienced. A sense of security for the
follower as well as a definition of a clear line of control are
defined and made clearer to the follower (Arbak, 2013).
Participative leadership is also another form of the path
leadership that involves the consultative relation between the
leader and the follower and the exchanging of ideas when
making up decisions and taking up certain actions. The
approach is taken up in cases whereby the followers are experts
and their advice is needed and considered very relevant in the
propelling of the organization.
Achievement oriented leadership being another mode of the path
leadership theory which involves the setting of challenging
goals both at work and in the self-improvement program. There
is an expectation and demonstration of high standards (Lin,
2013). The leaders show a high degree of faith and reliance in
the capabilities of the followers to succeed. The approach is
taken up when the task is complex.

4. The path theory is defined by certain situational factors. These
are the different aspects that affect the path that is taken up by
the leaders as well as the success and the outcome of the entire
program and the leadership program. The personality of the
subordinates is one of these factors.
The locus of the control defines the nature of the leader. The
subordinates perceived to have an internal locus of control are
well suited by a participative leader (Vogt, 2013). This is a
leader who takes participates readily in the operations of the
firm and interacts readily with the subordinates in the decision
making process. The satisfaction of each of the parties is highly
influenced by the different situations as well as the provisions
that the people are subjected to.
The kind of perception that the subordinates have in them also
defines their personality (Arbak, 2013). This is important in
affecting the kind of leadership that is used by the leaders. The
subordinates who perceive themselves as having high ability do
not like directive leadership.
The characteristics of the environment are also situational
factors. The environments affect the effectiveness and the
satisfaction of the entire leadership structure and the followers.
Directive leadership is less effective and redundant in an
environment when working on a high structure.
Workers satisfaction is undermined where there is a highly
formal and authoritative leadership structure is taken up. This is
a system whereby there is very high degree of command and
there is limited freedom for the subordinates. The followers are
subjected to many terms and conditions of operation making it
hard for them to operate properly.
A well-formed team environment where there is developed team
management and cooperation is one that eliminates the need for
a very authoritative system (Vogt, 2013). This is based on the
fact that in the case of such a system there is very high level of
social support and development. The followers are able to
motivate and support themselves making the entire project very
successful and manageable. The supportive system is also made

5. less necessary.
The path theory and the contingent theories illustrate certain
key differences in the approach that is taken up in each of them.
The differences stream from the various aspects that is the
breadth of the theories, the main concepts and ideas behind the
theories, as well as the basics used and adopted by the two
theories.
In terms of the basics of the theories, the core of the
contingency theory for instance is that leadership emerges from
the situation when different kinds and groups of people are
faced by different situations and circumstances. In such an
instance when one finds themselves in a situation where they
are well equipped and thrives easily, they most likely emerge
successful. The path theory on the other hand takes up an
approach that is a larger realm of contingency. In this the path
is a manifestation of the contingency theory.
The path theories come into their own when the route that a
team must travel appears difficult, long or vague (Lin, 2013). If
the goal is formulated by the management is general, the
purpose of the management in such a case is to clarify the ways
through which the vague and the unclear goals are to be met.
Upon laying the goals clarity of the aims is reached. The
contingency theory is however broader and goes past these. The
theory looks at all the possible situations and matches the
different personality types to each of the situations where they
can succeed as leaders. Generally the path approach is specific
while the contingency approach is broad and wider.
Conclusively the contingency theory and the path theories of
leadership as illustrated demonstrate certain key aspects and
characteristics that are also used in distinguishing them.
References
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Lin, L. &. (2013). The influence of leadership behavior and
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Paulsen, N. C. (2013). Transformational leadership.
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Quader, M. (2011). Perception of leadership styles and trust
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Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2008). Motivation and
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