HRM301 Organizational Behavior

Dr. Naomi Rotter

Objectives:

After today's session you should be able to:

1. Define leadership and describe leadership traits that characterize leaders.

2. Explain trait approach to leadership and its limitations.

3. Distinguish between person oriented and task oriented leader behaviors.

4. Explain the contingency approach to leadership and describe Fiedler's contingency theory, path-goal theory, and situational leadership.

I. Leadership

A. A usable definition

B. Some leader traits

II. The trait approach to leadership

A. The great man/woman approach

B. The research

C. The limitations

III. Leader behaviors

A. People orientation -- consideration

B. Task orientation -- initiation of structure

C. Consequences for the group

1. Consequences of consideration

2. Consequences of initiation of structure

IV. The contingency approach

A. A general definition

B. Fiedler's contingency theory

1. Key concepts

a. Leadership orientation

b. Situational favorableness

1. leader-member relations

2. task structure

3. position power

c. Leader effectiveness

2. Applying the theory

C. House's path-goal theory

1. Key concepts

a. Leader behavior

1. Directive

2. Supportive

3. Participative

4. Achievement oriented

b. Situational factors

1. Subordinate characteristics

2. The work environment

2. Applying the theory

D. Situational leadership

1. Key concepts

a. Task behavior

b. Relationship behavior

c. Leadership style

1. Selling

2. Telling

3. Delegating

4. Participating

2. Applying the concepts