TRAIT THEORY:
Trait theory is based on personal characteristics. Research efforts to determine specific traits of effective
leaders have resulted in dead ends.
These traits seem to show the difference between leaders and nonreaders:
– The desire to lead
– Ambition and energy
– Honesty and integrity
– Self-confidence
– Intelligence and job-related knowledge
The Trait theory of
leadership holds that there is certain specific personality, social physical and intellectual traits that differentiate a leader from a non-leader. Honesty and Integrity, Intelligence, Task related knowledge, the ability to solve, Problems creatively and the ability to communicate and listen.
BEHAVIORAL THEORIES:
Behavioral theories that identify behavior differentiate effective leaders from ineffective leaders. It is based on most appropriate behaviors.
If we compare behavioral theory with trait theory, we will find that behavioral approach to leadership were successful because it helps in implications which is quite different from trait theory. Trait research provides selecting right persons for formal positions in groups and organizations whereas behavioral research tells about to train people to be leaders. Behavioral theory holds that identifies leaders, and then teaches them how to be an effective leader.
OHIO STATE STUDIES:
OHIO State University identifies independent dimensions of leader behavior. There are two dimensions INITIATING STRUCTURE and CONSIDERATION. High in initiating structure and high in consideration seemed to be the best style, but the situation needs to be taken into account.
Initiating Structure: The extent to which a leader is likely to define and structure his or her role and those of subordinates in the search for goal attainment
Consideration: The extent to which a leader is likely to have job relationships characterized by mutual trust, respect for subordinate’s ideas, and regard for his/her feelings
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STUDIES:
Michigan University also came up with two dimensions of leadership behavior EMPLOYEE ORIENTED and
PRODUCTION ORIENTED. Leaders who were employee oriented in their behavior were strongly favored by Michigan whereas leaders who were production oriented showed low group productivity and lower job satisfaction.
THE MANAGERIAL GRID:
Two dimensional view of leadership style was developed by Blake and Mouton. This model identifies five different leadership styles, based on concern for people and concern for production. The Blake Mouton Managerial Grid is a practical and useful framework that helps you think about your leadership style. By plotting 'concern for production' against 'concern for people', the grid highlights how placing too much emphasis in one area at the expense of the other leads to low overall productivity.
The model proposes that when both people and production concerns are high, employee engagement and productivity increases accordingly. This is often true, and it follows the ideas of Theories X and Y, and other participative management theories.
While the grid does not entirely address the complexity of "Which leadership style is best?” it certainly provides an excellent starting place to critically analyze your own performance and improve your general leadership skills.