WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

The study of leadership in organizations is very crucial in the field of OB. An effective leader is capable of inspiring and motivating even the most inefficient employees to strive towards attaining the goals of the organization. Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led Warren G.Bennis

NATURE OF LEADERSHIP
LEADING Builds the commitments and enthusiasm needed for people to apply their talents fully to help accomplish plans. LEADERSHIP The process of inspiring others to work hard to accomplish important tasks.

CONTINGENCY THEORY OF LEADERSHIP

According to the contingency theory a good managerleader moves back and forth on a leadership style continuum as circumstances dictate. The choice of leadership style depends in each case on forces in the manager, the subordinates, and the situation itself.

FIEDLERS CONTINGENCY MODEL

 The Fiedler contingency model is a leadership theory of industrial and organizational psychology developed by Fred Fiedler.  Fiedlers contingency model postulates that the leaders effectiveness is based on situational contingency, that is a result of interaction of two factors, known as 'leadership style' and 'situational favorableness' (later called situational control).

Suggests that the key to leadership success is putting the styles to work in situations for which they are good fits.
 The first step in applying Fiedler's theory is to understand one's predominate leadership style.  The second step is to diagnose the amount of situational control available to the leader.  The third step is to obtain a match between leadership style and the situation.

Contingency theory of leadership emphasizes that effectiveness of leadership is dependent on matching a leaders style to right situation. This theory was originally developed by Fiedler after studying various leaders in different contexts, but predominantly military. The model states that there is no one best style of leadership. Instead, a leader's effectiveness is based on the situation. This is the result of two factors "leadership style" and "situational favourableness" (later called "situational control"). Fiedler believed that leadership style is fixed, and it can be measured using a scale he developed called Least-Preferred Co-Worker (LPC) Scale

People

Task

LOW LPC

Task

People

HIGH LPC