ORGANISATIONS AND BEHAVIOUR

Organizations and Behavior

Organizations and Behavior

Introduction

Leaders help in visualize innovating methods of production and facilitate changes in the organization to empower employees and organization fight competition and adopting new market conditions (Augustine, 1998). The leadership role is critical at every level of the organization structure and understanding best suiting leadership style for the organization and using the right one for the situation makes the difference between success and the failure of the organization (Harrari, 2002). Researchers developed Behavioral theories, contingency theories, trait theories, and power influence theories to gain understanding on the concept of leadership (Kotter, 1990). Leaders use different styles based on decision-making behavior to influence followers those include autocratic, democratic, and participative. This document reviews and provides an understanding on popular leadership theories.

Discussion

Leadership Styles and Theories

Organizations understand the importance of the leadership concept to improve performance and ensure success in challenging situations. Organization need leaders facilitate changes, provide organization vision, and influence members to achieve organizational goals (Ogawa, 2005). The organization expects managers to show or follow leadership qualities to execute the detailed organizational plan efficiently in challenging market conditions. (Ian, 2009)

Trait Theory

Trait theory reviews the concept of leadership in terms of specific personal qualities and characteristics possesses by individuals to influence followers (Zaccaro, 2001). Qualities like intelligence, sense of responsibility, and creativity help individuals excel in the role of a leader. The trait theory reviews the characteristics like mental, physical, and social to understand effectiveness of one or more in the development of a leader. (Ian, 2009)

Behavioral Theory

The focus of behavioral theory is leadership behavior and not the trait of the individual. Theory provides understanding that extensive training and coaching can help individuals becoming leaders in the organization (Nahavandi, 2000). Theory emphasis that leaders are not born but made based on the learning and experience. Initiating structure and consideration are two main categories of leadership behavior that provide understanding leadership behavior. Initiating structure is the role defined by the leaders for him and the members toward the attainment of the organizational objectives (Shamir, 1995). Under initiating structure leader assigns specific task, communicates expectations, and focuses on the achievement of organizational goals. Consideration is mutual trust, respect for employee's ideas, and regard for the employee's feeling in the job relationship (Robbins & Judge, 2011)

Contingency Theory

Contingency theory reviews and provides an understanding on situational and environmental attributes responsible for effective leadership in the organization. Attributes include leadership style and capabilities/behaviors of the followers are critical in effective leadership in the organization (Donaldson, 2001). Theory emphasizes successful leaders in one organization may not be successful in another organization because of situational and environment circumstances. (Gary, et al. 2006)

Situational Theory

Situational leadership theory focuses on the followers and provides an understanding of how selection of correct leadership style is contingent upon follower's ability to accomplish organizational goals. Motivation, capability, and leader's relationship with followers are critical factors affecting the effectiveness of leadership in the organization (Vecchio, 1997).

Goal-Path Theory

According to this theory, effectiveness of ...