Sample Power Point slide from a Management class in the Associate of Science Business Administration degree

1. MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
Phase 3 I.P.

2. What is leadership?
 Leadership is defined as “a process of
influencing a group to achieve goals”
(Robbins & Coulter, 2009).

3. Leadership studies
 Traits theory
 Behavioral theory
 Contingency theories

4. Frederick Fiedler’s Model of
Leadership
 Effective leadership is dependent on style of
leadership and situational variables (Robbins &
Coulter, 2009)
 Leadership defined as “Task Oriented” or
“Relationship Oriented” (Robbins & Coulter,
2009)
 Research indicates that Task Oriented leaders
perform best in high and low favorable situations
(Robbins & Coulter, 2009)
 Relationship Oriented leaders perform best in
moderately favorable situations (Robbins &
Coulter, 2009)

5. Effectiveness of Fiedler’s Model of
Leadership
 Leadership style is assumed to be inflexible.
(Robbins & Coulter, 2009)
 “Least-Preferred Coworker” (LCP) questionnaire
designed to assess leadership style heavily
criticized
 “Situational factors difficult to assess” (Robbins
& Coulter, 2009)
 Research validates much of the model (Robbins &
Coulter, 2009)
 Model proves that effective leadership styles must
reflect situational factors Robbins & Coulter,
2009)

6. Hersey & Blanchard: Situational
Leadership
 Involves the relationship between task
orientation leadership, relationship orientation
leadership and the degree of maturity of the
followers (Vecchio, 1987)
 Follower maturity categorized as
“low”, “moderate” or “high” (Vecchio, 1987)
 Leadership styles summarized as
“telling”, “selling”, “participating” and
“delegating” (Vecchio, 1987)

7. Effectiveness of Situational Leadership
 Situational theory lacks empirical evidence
(Vecchio, 1987)
 Situational theory is difficult to test due to
differing degrees in the relational variables
(Vecchio, 1987)
 Situational theory lacks definition or clarity on
the subject of effectiveness beyond the terms
“appropriate” and “inappropriate” leadership

8. Robert House: Path-Goal Leadership
 Path-goal leadership derives from expectancy
theory of motivation (Robbins & Coulter,
2009)
 Path-goal leadership states the job of the
leader is to provide:
 Supportive direction to followers on
compatibility of personal and organizational
goals (Robbins & Coulter, 2009)
 Path free of obstacles to achievement of these
goals (Robbins & Coulter, 2009)

9. Effectiveness of Path-Goal Leadership
 Substantial research of path-goal leadership
has been conducted (Robbins & Coulter, 2009)
 Bulk of research sustains the logic of the path-
goal theory (Robbins & Coulter, 2009)
 By choosing a leadership style that makes up
for deficiencies in the work-place or the
limitations of followers a leader can encourage
feelings of job satisfaction and increase job
performance (Robbins & Coulter, 2009)

10. Which theory works best in today’s
working environment?
 The Path-Goal Leadership theory
 Reflects importance of both the leader and
followers to organizational goal achievements
(Robbins & Coulter, 2009)
 Reflects the need for adaptation and flexibility in
leadership style to fit variables in the work-place
and in unique qualities of followers with differing
degrees of skill and competencies (Robbins &
Coulter, 2009)
 Provides the best foundation for contemporary
leadership theories (House, 2008)

11. Leading a business team
 Be flexible in task and relationship orientation
 Evaluate the team members, the job and the
work environment
 Be flexible and adaptive about leadership
styles
 Be receptive to and supportive of the needs of
team members
 Be worthy of respect, confidence, and trust

12. References
 Fiedler, F. E. (n.d.). The contingency model: A theory of
leadership effectiveness. Retrieved January 26, 2011,
from ISU Peoria Cohort:
http://peoria.k12.il.us/msmith/isu_cohort/eaf583/e-
reserves.htm
 House, R. J. (2008). Path-goal theory of leadership: Lessons,
legacy and a reformulated theory. Retrieved January 24,
2011, from EBSCOhost:
http://home.ubalt.edu/tmitch/642/E%20articles/house%20199
6%20path%20goal%20reformulaton.htm
 Robbins, S. & Coulter M. (2009). Management. Upper Saddle
River: Pearson Prentice-Hall.

13. References
 Vecchio, R. P. (1987, January 12). Situational leadership theory:
An examination of a prescriptive theory. Journal of Applied
Psychology 1987 Vol. 72, No. 3 .
 Vroom, V. &. Jago, A. (2007, January). The role of the situation in
leadership. American Psychologist.