Critical Evaluation of Contingency Theories Leadership - Coursework Example

University: Сritiсаl Еvаluаtiоn of А Соntingеnсy Thеоry of Lеаdеrshiр Name: Date: Сritiсаl Еvаluаtiоn of А Соntingеnсy Thеоry of Lеаdеrshiр Introduction In today’s business environment, there are numerous industries and institutions, each with different priorities and objectives. Moreover, each business has very unique and different operational rules. Therefore, it is not easy for one to say that there is one management leadership style across the board. This is where the founder and management guru, of all time, Joan Woodward’s work on contingency theory came into play when fitting in of the variation of management styles. It is common knowledge that his work marks the situational theory approach to management and its organization (Brain, 2002 p.67). The main aim of this essay is to explore three types of contingency theories, and how they affect the business environment in United Kingdom. Several leadership theories have been put forward which include behavioral, contingency, trait and full range models of leadership. Leadership theories Behavioral theory In behavioral theory, several researches have been carried out about certain set of behaviors which have been evaluated from successful leaders. These reports indicate very interesting statistics on the behavior taxonomy and broad leadership styles where leaders require a very strong personality in order to lead effectively (Bien and Ospina, 2012 p.120).  Full range theory of leadership Full range theory of leadership entails a transformational leadership. It involves motivation and morale when connecting the workers’ sense of identity to mission and vision of the organization .In this kind of leadership, there are four main components which depict a picture of a good leader (Bacher, 2007p.140).They are; individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation,inspirational motivation and idealized influence.These qualities are to some extent embraced in an organization but does not approach the issue of leadership in an organization holistically. Contingency theory Contingency theory has been used for several years as a management tool for organizations. This theory proposes that an individual’s actions cannot be predetermined but are instead related to a particular situation. In leadership circles, this theory has been examined for a couple of years in order to identify how successful leaders make use of it in day to day management activities (Bacher, 2007p.140). Leaders put emphasis on situational theory as the reaction to trait of leadership. Many scholars and social scientists argue that history is made of more than the result of intervention of great men and women as this trait theory elucidates (Bacher, 2007p.125).  In addition to that, theorists argue that times do produce the person and not the converse. Many do believe that there are no single psychological profiles of great leaders and what a leader does is very dependent upon the elements of a situation in which he or she functions. It analyses both the external and internal environmental situations and coming up with an ideal managerial tool. It is, therefore, very important to note that contingency theory incorporates all aspects of leadership unlike the other models. Fiedler tries to elucidate that an effective manager is the one who tends to accomplish the tasks by developing good relationships with those who are interested to carry this tasks alone. This is one of the most effective leadership tools because of its wholesome approach in addressing day to day challenges of the business. However, many have failed to distinguish between contingency and situational theories in day to day running of business. This systematic failure to draw a line between these two categories has led to a situation whereby students, scholarsand other management gurus use them interchangeably as one being the subset of another but in real sense are the same. When exploring a critical examination of these theories, at least four distinct features stand out and that is; both categories are extension of behavioral group of leadership, a successful leader in a given situation can become a failure in a different situation, one tenet of leadership in one organization may be different in another organization and finally some factors of effective leadership are determined by both internal and external factors. Contingency theories Situational leadership theory In this particular situation, there two models which have been tested and approved by many management gurus across the board. They are Tannenbaum and Schmidt leadership theory and Hersey and Blanchard situational leadership theory. In Tannenbaum and Scmidt theory, the two management strategist developed this model in 1975 where they used to describe various factors within the institution (Murray ET all, 2006 p.165). These factors arose from the manager, subordinates and the situation that they played a leading role for the manager to make a particular decision and is mode of leadership. These factors are leader-centered and subordinate-centered. The two pointed out that any leader should not choose a strict and autocratic model in the affairs of the company.. In addition, Hersey and Blanchard theory of leadership elucidates an extension of Tannebaum and Schimdt style of leadership (Bien and Ospina, 2012 p.89). They derived four basic leadership qualities based on the traditional dichotomy of leadership and they are directing, coaching, supporting and delegating of duties in an institution. Fieder contingency theory of leadership In this theory, Fiedler argues that a leader worth his or her salt should be examined in light of the ability to lead, that his effectiveness which is dependent on the interaction of the leader’s style and what the situation demands during a particular instance (Bien and Ospina, 2012 p.150).These elements in this model include leader members relations, leader position power and structure and a leader. According to these management gurus, these three characteristics when combined in the leadership lead the following scenarios: A very favourable situation where all the three most important leadership styles are a norm. Unfavourable situation where all the three situational elements are low and poor. An intermediate favourable condition in which some conditions are good or high while others are poor or low. It was important for this management guru to be creative enough and come up with two more additional leadership styles, and that is task oriented and relationship oriented. He argued that both types of managers can be very good in each style given the right conditions. In task oriented type of leadership, managers tend to be more effective as compared to relationship oriented where at least managers must observe two of the three critical situations and that is highly favorable and unfavorable (Bacher, 2007p.140). However in relationship oriented managers tend to be more effective than task oriented in situations which are intermediate and unfavorable. House path goal theory It is a good example of contingency theory that was developed by Robert house and premised on the expectancy theory of motivation. The work of a manager is to guide or assist workers in order to realize their full potential (Ray, 2013 p. 45). The management set out the goals to be met and therefor e the role of leaders in to engage his or her juniors who are his followers to attain the goals. The behavior of a particular leader is acceptable to the subordinates when they view him as a source of motivation and satisfaction and hence this satisfaction is a contingent measure of performance. Path goal theory identifies achievement oriented objectives that are participative, supportive and direct as mode of leadership. When it comes to achievement of oriented mode of leadership, managers set out challenging and difficult tasks for the followers who are expected to deliver their utmost best, which will in return, demonstrate their capability and ability in their line of duties. (Bacher, 2007p.170). This kind of leadership is best suited when an organization lacks a challenge, and when employee deliver, and this helps the business to move to the next level. In addition to that, directive mode of operation is best employed when the leaders allow followers to know what they are expected to do and this isolates ambiguity in the institution as there are clearly defined duties for each and every one ( Ray,2013 p. 195). Finally, participative leadership encourages leaders to consult with their followers for their suggestions before making any decision. This eliminates a situation where managers who are fond of making judgmental errors as this issues are eliminated from the decision making process. Path goal theory in many instances assumes that managers are thecaliber of leaders who are indeed listening and flexible enough to implement some of these rules for the betterment of the organization. Here, good leaders in many cases clarify issues and chart the way forward with their followers who in return, reduce unnecessary roadblocks. Conclusion This essay has evaluated in detail the idea of contingency theories of leadership, its features and importance for any institution and organization to survive in an unforgiving and challenging business environment. It has explored different theories of leadership in detail and made a clear line between its categories of leadership to various situational models (Brain, 2002 p.160). It indeed demonstrated that effective leadership is very much dependent on relationship between leaders and his followers..Additionally, there should be a proper channel of communication between managers and their juniors. Finally, in an organization there must be appropriate center of power and influence in order to avoid confusion in this kind of relationship. This includes the basis of power and influence within this organization and how it is applied. References Top of Form BRAIN, C. (2002). Advanced psychology: applications, issues and perspectives. Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes. Top of Form BACHER, C. (2007). Contingency theory What are the strengths and weaknesses of the systems approach as used by contingency writers in analysing organisations? München, GRIN Verlag GmbH. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:101:1-2010081519089. Bottom of Form Top of Form MURRAY, P., MURRAY, P., POOLE, D., & JONES, G. (2006). Contemporary issues in management and organizationalbehavior. South Melbourne, Vic, Thomson Learning. Top of Form RAY, A. (2013). Important leadership theories in the realm of management sciences. [S.l.], Grin Verlag. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form UHL-BIEN, M., & OSPINA, S. (2012). Advancing relational leadership research: a dialogue among perspectives. Charlotte, NC, Information Age Pub. Bottom of Form Read More