In this guide, you’ll learn everything there is to know about leadership theories. In particular, we’ll look at the five theories as well as why it’s significant to learn them.
To begin with, leadership theories spring forth from varied ways of thinking. Some stress personalities and qualities, while others emphasize environmental factors that promote effective leadership.
One of the most essential factors that influence the success or failure of a company is its human aspect. In the commercial world, the most valued talent is leadership.
This discusses several well-known leadership theories that can help you strengthen your talents and allow you to improve your performance in the workplace.
Let’s get started.
What is a Leadership Theory?
Leadership theories are philosophies proposed to explain how and why certain individuals attain leadership positions.
These ideas illuminate the characteristics and actions of a leader and can assist individuals in developing their leadership skills.
Individuals are difficult. They are difficult to comprehend and anticipate even at the best of circumstances. Leadership theories aid in making things simpler.
You cannot foresee how each individual will respond to a particular event. However, if you recognize the sort of leader you are, you will be able to take action that is more decisive. And your team will be able to attain its objectives via the use of sound, decisive judgment.
5 Leadership Theories Explained
A leadership theory explains why and how some people become leaders.
Each theory focuses on the traits and actions that individuals may acquire to improve their leadership skill. And according to the already established leaders, a good leader must possess strong ethics and high moral standards.
With that said, here’s a brief explanation of the different types of leadership theories that you should know about:
1. The Great Man Theory
According to the Great Man Theory, leaders are born with the necessary characteristics and skills for leadership. The thesis posits that leadership is innate, and that the finest leaders are born, not made.
Although the notion seems disappointing to individuals who wish to study leadership, it is nonetheless an intriguing perspective.
This approach emphasizes the characteristics of effective leaders. These characteristics have stayed mostly unaltered throughout time.
2. Contingency Leadership Theory
This leadership theory emerged in the 1960s and is based on the premise that no single leadership style is applicable in every circumstance.
The contingency theory is a generic idea stating that there is no optimum method to create an organization or lead a team. According to this hypothesis, the optimal leadership style will vary depending on the circumstances.
The contingency theory highlights several situational elements to find the most appropriate leadership style. Effective leadership, according to this theory, is comprised of all three factors: qualities, conduct, and situation.
In addition to possessing the proper traits, effective leaders are also able to assess the requirements of their followers and the circumstances at hand.
In addition to possessing the proper traits, effective leaders are also able to assess the requirements of their followers and the circumstances at hand. To support this hypothesis, several models of Contingency leadership were constructed.
These are:
- Fred Fiedler’s Contingency Model or LPC Contingency Model
- Situational Theory
- Path-Goal Theory
- Leadership Substitutes Theory
- Multiple-Linkage Model
- Cognitive Resources Theory
- Normative Decision Theory
3. Behavioral Theory
Behavioral theory emphasizes the activities and behaviors of leaders rather than their attributes or qualities.
To support this notion, Robert R. Blake and Jane S. Mouton created the Managerial Grid, commonly known as a leadership grid. They identified five unique leadership styles by classifying managers into 81 potential categories based on their scores.
The following are the many leadership styles identified by the Managerial Grid:
- Indifferent: The work or the personnel are not as valued. It is the least successful leadership style.
- Country Club: Instead than focusing on duties, the Country Club pays more attention to the health and engagement of its workers.
- Task Oriented: Leaders are more concerned with their work than with staff involvement.
- Status Quo: These leaders place an equal amount of attention on staff health and work.
- Sound: These leaders are extremely concerned about both their personnel and their production.
4. Trait Theory
In the late 1940s, Ralph M. Stogdill introduced the characteristic theory of leadership by analyzing the traits of several leaders. These qualities are similar to those of future leaders in order to measure the effectiveness of their leadership potential.
Scholars exploring trait theory concentrate on the following individual characteristic categories:
- Physical characteristics, including look, weight, and height
- Age, education, and family history
- Intellectual traits such as decisiveness, judgment, and knowledge
- Task-related characteristics such as commitment, initiative, resolve, and business acumen
- Personality attributes such as extraversion, self-assurance, honesty, and passion for leadership.
This idea was equally under scrutiny for a number of reasons.
Like the Great Man Theory, this view overlooked environmental and situational considerations.
The stated characteristics of leader according to the theory varied throughout time and made it difficult to determine what makes a good leader. Also, the Trait theory proved incapable of explaining leadership failures, which occurred despite the fact that leaders possessed the necessary characteristics.
5. Contemporary Leadership Theory
This leadership theory emerged in the 1990s and it represents the New Era of leadership ideas. Researchers feel that a single component of leadership is insufficient and cannot account for the organizational complexity that always occurs.
By definition, contemporary theory is a collection of contemporary literary approaches to management. Modern leaders utilize personal influence to develop and motivate others to attain corporate objectives.
This notion states that every individual has leadership abilities, and as such, it’s possible to make leaders.
Earlier techniques were conventional and relied on leader-follower relationships. However, modern thinking emphasizes more intricate interaction and situational dynamics.
This theory examines several modern leadership theory approaches, including:
- Management Theory
- Relationship Theory, also known as transformational leadership theory
- LMX notion
- Servant Leadership Theory
- Authentic Leadership Theory
- Complexity Leadership
- Charismatic Leadership Theory
- Participative Leadership Theory
- Power and Influence Theory
Final Thoughts
Every team must have a leader in order to succeed. Without a leader, nothing will ever operate efficiently.
When you learn about leadership theory, you study materials that make putting leadership theory into practice even for rookie leaders.
Remember that when it comes to putting leadership theory into practice, the responsibility lies within you.