LEADERSHIP
BEREKET BERHANU
Prepared by: Bereket B.
Learning objectives
Understand leadership as an influence process in
organizations
Distinguish between leadership styles
Distinguish the trait, behavioral, and contingency
theories of leadership
Discuss some alternative views of leadership
Session Contents
Introduction
Manager Vs Leader
Characteristics of Leaders
Definitions of Leadership
Leadership Styles
Trait Approaches of Leadership
Behavioral Theories of Leadership
Contingency Theories of Leadership
Situational Theories of Leadership
INTRODUCTION
Leadership: is the ability to develop a vision that
motivates others to move with a passion toward a
common goal. So leadership is a process by which a
person influences others to accomplish an objective and
directs the organization in a way that makes it more
cohesive and coherent.
Manager Vs Leader
Managers sustain and control organizations
Leaders try to change them
Leaders have vision and inspire others to follow it
Managers follow an organization’s present vision
Management and leadership requirements
Differs in different organizational positions
Differs at different times in an organization’s history
Characteristics of Leaders
- Vision -Integrity.
- Courage -Integrity
- Humility -Strategic Planning
- Focus -Cooperation.
- Ability to delegate. -Communication.
- Self-awareness. - Gratitude.
- Learning agility. -Influence.
- Empathy.
Definition
⚫ leadershipis the “process of social
influence in which one person can enlist
the aid and support of others in the
accomplishment of a common task”.
M Chemers.
⚫ " Leadership is ultimately about
creating a way for people to
contribute to making something
extraordinary happen."
Alan
Keith.
F O U R F A C T O R S OF
L E A D E R SHIP
⚫ Leader - You must have an honest understanding of
who you are, what you know and what you can do. To be
successful you have to convince your followers not your
superiors, that you are worthy of being followed.
⚫ Follower -You must know your people. The
fundamental starting point is having a good
understanding of human nature, such as needs,
emotions and motivation.
⚫ Communication-The nonverbal communication
is leading. E.g.- when you set example that
communicates to your people that you would not ask
them to perform anything that you would not be
willing to do. Bad communication harm the relation
between leader and employee.
⚫ Situation- We must use our judgment to decide the
best course of action and the leadership style needed
for each situation. What we do in one situation will
not always work in another.
Styles of leadership
The three major styles of leadership are (U.S. Army Handbook,
1973) :
Authoritarian or autocratic
Participative or democratic
Delegative or Free Reign
Autocratic – The authoritarian leader makes
decisions alone as power is centralized in one
person. Decisions are enforced using rewards and
the fear of punishment. it is an abusive,
unprofessional style called “bossing people
around. ”
Democratic- The participative leader include one
or more employees in the decision making process.
Communication flow freely; suggestions are made in
both directions. The participation encourages
member commitment to the final decision.
Laissez-faire- The free-rein leader gives power
to subordinates to make the decisions. However, the
leader is still responsible for the decisions that are
made. This is used when employees are able to
analyze the situation. Deligative style is generally
not useful.
Theories of leadership
TRAIT
THEORY
BEHAVIRA
L
THEORY
CONTINGENCY
THEORY
SITUATIONA
L THEORY
1. Trait Theory
The Trait Approach arose from the “Great Man” theory as a way of
identifying the key characteristics of successful leaders.
It was believed that through this theory critical leadership traits
could be isolated and that people with such traits could then be
recruited, selected, and installed into leadership positions.
This theory was common in the military and is still used as a set of
criteria to select candidates for commissions.
Advantages of Trait Theory
It is naturally pleasing theory.
It serves as a yardstick against which the
leadership traits of an individual can be
assessed.
It gives a detailed knowledge and
understanding of the leader element in the
leadership process.
Limitations of The Trait Theory
There is bound to be some subjective judgment in
determining who is regarded as a "good" or
“successful" leader.
There is also a disagreement over which traits are
the most important for an effective leader
2. Behavioral Theory
These theories of leadership are based upon the belief
that great leaders are made, not born.
Rooted in behaviorism, this leadership theory focuses
on the actions of leaders not on mental qualities or
internal states.
According to this theory, people can learn to become
leaders through teaching and observation.
The behavior approach says that anyone who adopts
the appropriate behavior can be a good leader.
Studies of Behvioral theory
Ohio state leadership university
studies.
Managerial Grid
University of Michigan studies
3. Contingency theory
In Contingency theory of leadership, the success of the
leader is a function of various contingencies in the form of
subordinate, task, and/or group variables. The Leaders who are
very effective at one place and time may become unsuccessful
either when transplanted to another situation or when the factors
around them change.
This helps to explain how some leaders who seem for a while
to have the 'Midas touch' suddenly appear to go off the boil and
make very unsuccessful decisions.
4. Situational Leadership
Situational Leadership- is an adaptive leadership style.
This strategy encourages leaders to take stock of their team
members, weigh the many variables in their workplace and
choose the leadership style that best fits their goals and
circumstances
