Criticism of Leadership Theories

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

The situational leadership approach suggests that different situations demand different kinds of ____________________

leadership

According to Fiedler, the situation can be described along three key dimensions, including ____________________ relations

leader-member

The behavioral approach relies on followers’ perceptions of ____________________ rather than actual behavior

leadership

No universal ____________________ style has been found to be the most effective

leadership Signup and view all the answers

The situational leadership approach suggests that effective leadership requires that people adapt their style to the demands of different ____________________

situations Signup and view all the answers

Fiedler’s Contingency Theory of Leadership tried to reconcile and unite several theories that emerged earlier, mostly from the ____________________ and behavioral approach

trait Signup and view all the answers

Leaders who have good ____________________ with their subordinates will more easily get the work done

relationships Signup and view all the answers

Task structure refers to how well the input, processes, roles, and tasks are structured and clearly ____________________

delimited Signup and view all the answers

It is not what the is but what people see the as that counts in generating the charismatic relationship.

leader Signup and view all the answers

The leaders' role ______ make that individual a charismatic or non-charismatic leader.

behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Theories of charismatic leadership have received varying degrees of empirical support and show that charismatic leadership is associated with ______ performance goals.

high Signup and view all the answers

Transformational leadership looks at how certain leaders are able to inspire followers to accomplish ______ things.

great Signup and view all the answers

The leaders' role behaviors, in the eyes of followers, make that individual a ______ or participative leader.

social Signup and view all the answers

Charismatic leadership is associated with followers' ______ satisfaction and emotions.

job Signup and view all the answers

Charismatic leadership is associated with ______ work effort and work performance.

high Signup and view all the answers

Transformational leadership looks at how certain leaders are able to inspire followers to accomplish ______ things beyond their expectations.

great Signup and view all the answers

The trait, behavioral, and ______ approaches to leadership brought several key insights for understanding leadership.

situational Signup and view all the answers

The New Leadership approach is constituted of several interrelated theories, including ______ leadership.

charismatic Signup and view all the answers

Leaders are agents of change who – through the use of emotional appeals, symbolic gestures and a combination of ______ mechanisms – transform followers into highly inspired, energized, and motivated teams.

influence Signup and view all the answers

According to the New Leadership approach, leaders define organizational reality through the articulation of a ______ which is a reflection of how they define the organization’s mission and the values which support it.

vision Signup and view all the answers

The New Leadership approach sees leaders as someone who defines organizational reality through the articulation of a ______ which is a reflection of how they define the organization’s mission and the values which support it.

vision Signup and view all the answers

Some critical questions remained unanswered, including why followers of some leaders value the collective ______ and mission more than their own individual materialistic goals and aspirations.

vision Signup and view all the answers

The ______ approach to leadership brought several key insights for understanding leadership, but some critical questions remained unanswered.

behavioral Signup and view all the answers

Contrary to the other approaches, the New Leadership approach sees leaders as someone who defines organizational reality through the articulation of a ______ which is a reflection of how they define the organization’s mission and the values which support it.

vision Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership theories with their key concepts:

Behavioral approach = Followers' perceptions of leader behavior Situational leadership = Adapting leadership style to different situations Charismatic leadership = Leader's role behaviors in followers' eyes Transformational leadership = Inspiring followers to achieve great things Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership styles with their characteristics:

Task or directive leader = Focus on task accomplishment Social or participative leader = Involving followers in decision-making Charismatic leader = Inspiring followers through emotional appeals Transformational leader = Energizing followers to achieve beyond expectations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership approaches with their descriptions:

Behavioral Approach = Relies on followers' perceptions of actual behavior Situational Leadership = Adapting style to different situations Charismatic Leadership = Associated with followers' emotional satisfaction Transformational Leadership = Inspiring followers to accomplish beyond expectations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership theories with their researchers:

Charismatic Leadership = Conger & Kanungo (1998) Transformational Leadership = Bass (1985) Visionary Leadership = Westley & Mintzberg (1989) Contingency Theory = Fiedler Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership approaches with their key outcomes:

Charismatic leadership = High performance goals and work effort Transformational leadership = Inspiring followers to achieve great things Behavioral approach = Focusing on followers' perceptions of leader behavior Situational leadership = Adapting leadership style to different situations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership concepts with their definitions:

Transformational leadership = Inspiring followers to achieve beyond expectations Charismatic leadership = Leader's role behaviors in followers' eyes Situational leadership = Adapting leadership style to different situations Behavioral approach = Followers' perceptions of leader behavior Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership concepts with their definitions:

Task Structure = Well-defined input, processes, roles, and tasks Emotional Arousal = Generating emotional response in followers Collective Vision = Shared goals and mission of the organization Influence Mechanisms = Combination of emotional appeals and symbolic gestures Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership approaches with their characteristics:

New Leadership Approach = Defines organizational reality through vision and mission Trait Approach = Focuses on innate leader characteristics Situational Leadership = Depends on adapting to different situations Behavioral Approach = Relies on followers' perceptions of behavior Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership theories with their key benefits:

Charismatic leadership = Followers' job satisfaction and emotions Transformational leadership = Innovation behavior and organizational performance Behavioral approach = Focusing on followers' perceptions of leader behavior Situational leadership = Effective leadership in different situations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership outcomes with their descriptions:

Charismatic Leadership = Associated with follower emotional satisfaction Transformational Leadership = Inspiring followers to accomplish beyond expectations Effective Leadership = Adapting style to different situations Visionary Leadership = Articulating a clear organizational mission Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership concepts with their key characteristics:

Charismatic leadership = Inspiring followers through emotional appeals Transformational leadership = Energizing followers to achieve beyond expectations Behavioral approach = Focusing on followers' perceptions of leader behavior Situational leadership = Adapting leadership style to different situations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership researchers with their contributions:

Conger & Kanungo = Charismatic Leadership Theory Bass = Transformational Leadership Theory Fiedler = Contingency Theory of Leadership Westley & Mintzberg = Visionary Leadership Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership theories with their key outcomes:

Charismatic leadership = Followers' trust and confidence in the leader Transformational leadership = Innovation behavior and organizational performance Behavioral approach = Focusing on followers' perceptions of leader behavior Situational leadership = Effective leadership in different situations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership concepts with their relationships:

Leaders' Role = Defined by followers' perceptions Followers' Emotions = Influenced by charismatic leadership Organizational Mission = Reflected in the leader's vision Leader-Follower Relationship = Critical in transformational leadership Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership styles with their key characteristics:

Task or directive leader = Focusing on task accomplishment Social or participative leader = Involving followers in decision-making Charismatic leader = Inspiring followers through emotional appeals Transformational leader = Energizing followers to achieve beyond expectations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership approaches with their focus:

New Leadership Approach = Defining organizational reality Trait Approach = Innate leader characteristics Behavioral Approach = Followers' perceptions of behavior Situational Leadership = Adapting to different situations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership approaches with their key characteristics:

Behavioral approach = Relies on followers' perceptions of leadership rather than actual behavior Situational leadership = Effective leadership requires adapting style to different situations Charismatic leadership = Associated with followers' emotional satisfaction and emotions Transformational leadership = Looks at how leaders inspire followers to accomplish beyond their expectations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership theories with their descriptions:

Fiedler's Contingency Theory = Leaders can be effective in certain situations but not in others Situational leadership = Different situations demand different kinds of leadership Charismatic leadership = Leaders are agents of change who transform followers through emotional appeals Transformational leadership = Looks at how leaders inspire followers to accomplish beyond their expectations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership styles with their effectiveness criteria:

Situational leadership = Adapting style to the demands of different situations Charismatic leadership = Associated with followers' emotional satisfaction and emotions Transformational leadership = Inspiring followers to accomplish beyond their expectations Behavioral approach = Relies on followers' perceptions of leadership rather than actual behavior Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership dimensions with their descriptions:

Leader-member relations = How well the team and the leader work together/trust each other Task structure = How well the input, processes, roles, and tasks are structured and clearly delimited Charismatic leadership = Associated with followers' emotional satisfaction and emotions Transformational leadership = Looks at how leaders inspire followers to accomplish beyond their expectations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership approaches with their leadership styles:

Situational leadership = Adapting style to different situations Charismatic leadership = Agents of change who transform followers through emotional appeals Transformational leadership = Inspiring followers to accomplish beyond their expectations Behavioral approach = Relies on followers' perceptions of leadership rather than actual behavior Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership theories with their authors:

Fiedler's Contingency Theory = Fiedler Situational leadership = Not specified Charismatic leadership = Not specified Transformational leadership = Not specified Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership approaches with their focus:

Situational leadership = Situational demands Charismatic leadership = Followers' emotional satisfaction and emotions Transformational leadership = Inspiring followers to accomplish beyond their expectations Behavioral approach = Followers' perceptions of leadership Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership styles with their outcomes:

Situational leadership = Effective leadership in different situations Charismatic leadership = Followers' emotional satisfaction and emotions Transformational leadership = Followers accomplishing beyond their expectations Behavioral approach = No clear outcome specified Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of charismatic leadership?

Developing a clear and compelling vision Signup and view all the answers

Which approach to leadership recognizes that different situations demand different kinds of leadership?

Situational leadership Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of transformational leadership?

Idealized influence Signup and view all the answers

Which leadership approach is associated with increased job satisfaction and performance?

Transformational leadership Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between transactional and transformational leadership?

Ability to inspire and empower followers Signup and view all the answers

Which leadership approach emphasizes the importance of adapting one's style to the development level of followers?

Situational leadership Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of charismatic leadership?

Inspiring loyalty and enthusiasm in followers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the behavior approach to leadership?

The actions and behaviors of leaders Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key behavior of the behavior approach to leadership?

Defining roles and setting goals Signup and view all the answers

According to the situational leadership approach, what is the primary factor that determines the effectiveness of a leader's style?

The followers' maturity level Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of transformational leadership?

Inspiring followers to accomplish beyond their expectations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between charismatic and transformational leadership approaches?

Charismatic leadership focuses on the followers' emotional satisfaction, while transformational leadership focuses on the organization's mission Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following leadership approaches emphasizes the importance of learning and developing leadership skills through practice and experience?

Behavior approach Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of charismatic leadership?

Increased work performance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of charismatic leadership?

To inspire and motivate others through a clear vision and personality Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of transformational leadership?

Inspiring and motivating others to achieve a shared vision Signup and view all the answers

Which leadership approach recognizes that different situations demand different kinds of leadership?

Situational leadership approach Signup and view all the answers

What is idealized influence in transformational leadership?

Serving as a role model and inspiring trust Signup and view all the answers

What is intellectual stimulation in transformational leadership?

Challenging assumptions and encouraging creative thinking Signup and view all the answers

What is individualized consideration in transformational leadership?

Recognizing and developing the strengths of individual team members Signup and view all the answers

Which leadership approach focuses on the leader's ability to inspire and motivate others?

Charismatic approach Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors is most characteristic of a relationship-oriented leader?

Consideration Signup and view all the answers

According to the situational leadership approach, which style of leadership is most suitable for team members who need guidance?

Coaching Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the behavior approach to leadership?

Leaders' behaviors and actions Signup and view all the answers

Which approach to leadership is most closely associated with emotional appeals and symbolic gestures?

Charismatic leadership approach Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a task-oriented leader?

Defining roles and setting goals Signup and view all the answers

Which approach to leadership recognizes that leaders can learn and develop effective behaviors?

Behavioral approach Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Criticisms of Leadership Theories

The way leaders adapt their behaviors to situations and people is unclear
Most studies rely on followers’ perceptions of leadership rather than actual behavior
No universal leadership style has been found to be the most effective
This approach is extremely US-centered and recent studies show that important cultural differences exist

Situational Leadership

The best leadership style is contingent to the situations leaders are in and to the people they work with
Different situations demand different kinds of leadership
Effective leadership requires that people adapt their style to the demands of different situations

Fiedler’s Contingency Theory of Leadership

Leaders can be effective in a certain situation but not in another
The situation can be described along three key dimensions:
- Leader-member relations (Poor/Good)
- Task structure (Low/High)
Leaders’ role behaviors can be categorized as:
- Task or directive leaders
- Social or participative leaders
- Charismatic or non-charismatic leaders

Charismatic Leadership

Charismatic leadership is associated with:
- High performance goals
- High work effort, work performance, and intrinsic motivation
- Innovation behavior and organizational performance
- Followers’ job satisfaction and emotions
- Followers’ trust and confidence, adjustment to leader and group
- Less workplace deviance, less turnover intentions, less burnout

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership looks at how certain leaders are able to inspire followers to accomplish great things

The New Leadership Approach

Leaders are agents of change who transform followers into highly inspired, energized, and motivated teams
The New Leadership Approach is constituted of several interrelated theories:
- Charismatic leadership
- Transformational leadership
- Visionary leadership
This approach sees leaders as someone who defines organizational reality through the articulation of a vision which is a reflection of how they define the organization’s mission and the values which support it

Criticisms of Leadership Theories

The way leaders adapt their behaviors to situations and people is unclear
Most studies rely on followers’ perceptions of leadership rather than actual behavior
No universal leadership style has been found to be the most effective
This approach is extremely US-centered and recent studies show that important cultural differences exist

Situational Leadership

The best leadership style is contingent to the situations leaders are in and to the people they work with
Different situations demand different kinds of leadership
Effective leadership requires that people adapt their style to the demands of different situations

Fiedler’s Contingency Theory of Leadership

Leaders can be effective in a certain situation but not in another
The situation can be described along three key dimensions:
- Leader-member relations (Poor/Good)
- Task structure (Low/High)
Leaders’ role behaviors can be categorized as:
- Task or directive leaders
- Social or participative leaders
- Charismatic or non-charismatic leaders

Charismatic Leadership

Charismatic leadership is associated with:
- High performance goals
- High work effort, work performance, and intrinsic motivation
- Innovation behavior and organizational performance
- Followers’ job satisfaction and emotions
- Followers’ trust and confidence, adjustment to leader and group
- Less workplace deviance, less turnover intentions, less burnout

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership looks at how certain leaders are able to inspire followers to accomplish great things

The New Leadership Approach

Leaders are agents of change who transform followers into highly inspired, energized, and motivated teams
The New Leadership Approach is constituted of several interrelated theories:
- Charismatic leadership
- Transformational leadership
- Visionary leadership
This approach sees leaders as someone who defines organizational reality through the articulation of a vision which is a reflection of how they define the organization’s mission and the values which support it

Leadership Behaviors

Focuses on actions and behaviors of leaders rather than their traits or personalities
Emphasizes importance of learning and developing leadership skills through practice and experience

Behavior Approach

Key behaviors:
- Initiating structure: defining roles, setting goals, and establishing procedures
- Consideration: building relationships, providing support, and encouraging participation
- Leading by example: demonstrating desired behaviors and values
- Empowering others: delegating tasks, providing autonomy, and fostering growth

Situational Leadership

Developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard
Effective leaders adapt their behavior to fit the maturity level of their followers
Four leadership styles:
Directing: high direction, low support (for inexperienced or immature followers)
Coaching: high direction, high support (for followers who need guidance and encouragement)
Supporting: low direction, high support (for followers who are competent but lack confidence)
Delegating: low direction, low support (for highly mature and capable followers)

Charismatic and Transformational Approaches

Charismatic Leadership

Focuses on leader's ability to inspire and motivate followers through their vision, passion, and confidence
Key characteristics:
- Visionary thinking: having a clear and compelling vision
- Emotional intelligence: self-awareness, empathy, and social skills
- Charisma: persuasive and influential communication
- Trust building: establishing credibility and reliability
Charismatic leaders inspire loyalty, enthusiasm, and commitment from their followers

Transformational Leadership

Developed by Bernard Bass
Goes beyond transactional leadership by inspiring and empowering followers to achieve a shared vision
Key characteristics:
- Idealized influence: inspiring trust and admiration
- Intellectual stimulation: challenging assumptions and fostering creativity
- Individualized consideration: coaching and developing followers
- Individualized recognition: recognizing and rewarding achievements
Transformational leaders create a positive and motivating work environment, leading to increased job satisfaction and performance

Behavior Approach

Focuses on the actions of leaders rather than their traits or characteristics
Leaders can learn and develop effective behaviors to become more effective leaders
Key behaviors include:
- Initiating structure: defining roles, setting goals, and assigning tasks
- Close supervision: monitoring and controlling work processes
- Consideration: building trust, supporting, and empowering team members
- Participative leadership: involving team members in decision-making

Situational Leadership

Developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard
Leaders adapt their behavior to suit different situations and individuals
Four leadership styles are:
- Directing: used with inexperienced team members, characterized by telling and directing
- Coaching: used with team members who need guidance, characterized by selling and explaining
- Supporting: used with team members who are developing, characterized by participating and facilitating
- Delegating: used with experienced team members, characterized by delegating and empowering

Charismatic Leadership

Focuses on the leader's ability to inspire and motivate others through their vision and personality
Charismatic leaders have:
- A clear vision and mission
- Ability to articulate their vision in an inspiring way
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to build trust and loyalty with their followers
- Lead by example and demonstrate a strong work ethic

Transformational Leadership

Developed by Bernard Bass
Leaders inspire and motivate others to achieve a shared vision
Key characteristics include:
- Idealized influence: leaders serve as a role model and inspire trust
- Intellectual stimulation: leaders challenge assumptions and encourage creative thinking
- Individualized consideration: leaders recognize and develop the strengths of individual team members
- Inspirational motivation: leaders articulate a compelling vision and inspire others to work towards it
Transformational leaders foster a positive and productive work environment, promoting growth and development of their team members.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz evaluates the limitations of leadership theories, including the lack of clarity in adapting behaviors, reliance on follower perceptions, and the need for cultural sensitivity.

Criticism of Leadership Theories

Podcast Beta

Questions and Answers

The situational leadership approach suggests that different situations demand different kinds of ____________________

According to Fiedler, the situation can be described along three key dimensions, including ____________________ relations

The behavioral approach relies on followers’ perceptions of ____________________ rather than actual behavior

No universal ____________________ style has been found to be the most effective

The situational leadership approach suggests that effective leadership requires that people adapt their style to the demands of different ____________________

Fiedler’s Contingency Theory of Leadership tried to reconcile and unite several theories that emerged earlier, mostly from the ____________________ and behavioral approach

Leaders who have good ____________________ with their subordinates will more easily get the work done

Task structure refers to how well the input, processes, roles, and tasks are structured and clearly ____________________

It is not what the ______ is but what people see the ______ as that counts in generating the charismatic relationship.

The leaders' role ______ make that individual a charismatic or non-charismatic leader.

Theories of charismatic leadership have received varying degrees of empirical support and show that charismatic leadership is associated with ______ performance goals.

Transformational leadership looks at how certain leaders are able to inspire followers to accomplish ______ things.

The leaders' role behaviors, in the eyes of followers, make that individual a ______ or participative leader.

Charismatic leadership is associated with followers' ______ satisfaction and emotions.

Charismatic leadership is associated with ______ work effort and work performance.

Transformational leadership looks at how certain leaders are able to inspire followers to accomplish ______ things beyond their expectations.

The trait, behavioral, and ______ approaches to leadership brought several key insights for understanding leadership.

The New Leadership approach is constituted of several interrelated theories, including ______ leadership.

Leaders are agents of change who – through the use of emotional appeals, symbolic gestures and a combination of ______ mechanisms – transform followers into highly inspired, energized, and motivated teams.

According to the New Leadership approach, leaders define organizational reality through the articulation of a ______ which is a reflection of how they define the organization’s mission and the values which support it.

The New Leadership approach sees leaders as someone who defines organizational reality through the articulation of a ______ which is a reflection of how they define the organization’s mission and the values which support it.

Some critical questions remained unanswered, including why followers of some leaders value the collective ______ and mission more than their own individual materialistic goals and aspirations.

The ______ approach to leadership brought several key insights for understanding leadership, but some critical questions remained unanswered.

Contrary to the other approaches, the New Leadership approach sees leaders as someone who defines organizational reality through the articulation of a ______ which is a reflection of how they define the organization’s mission and the values which support it.

Match the following leadership theories with their key concepts:

Match the following leadership styles with their characteristics:

Match the following leadership approaches with their descriptions:

Match the following leadership theories with their researchers:

Match the following leadership approaches with their key outcomes:

Match the following leadership concepts with their definitions:

Match the following leadership concepts with their definitions:

Match the following leadership approaches with their characteristics:

Match the following leadership theories with their key benefits:

Match the following leadership outcomes with their descriptions:

Match the following leadership concepts with their key characteristics:

Match the following leadership researchers with their contributions:

Match the following leadership theories with their key outcomes:

Match the following leadership concepts with their relationships:

Match the following leadership styles with their key characteristics:

Match the following leadership approaches with their focus:

Match the following leadership approaches with their key characteristics:

Match the following leadership theories with their descriptions:

Match the following leadership styles with their effectiveness criteria:

Match the following leadership dimensions with their descriptions:

Match the following leadership approaches with their leadership styles:

Match the following leadership theories with their authors:

Match the following leadership approaches with their focus:

Match the following leadership styles with their outcomes:

What is the primary focus of charismatic leadership?

Which approach to leadership recognizes that different situations demand different kinds of leadership?

What is a key characteristic of transformational leadership?

Which leadership approach is associated with increased job satisfaction and performance?

What is the main difference between transactional and transformational leadership?

Which leadership approach emphasizes the importance of adapting one's style to the development level of followers?

What is a key benefit of charismatic leadership?

What is the primary focus of the behavior approach to leadership?

Which of the following is a key behavior of the behavior approach to leadership?

According to the situational leadership approach, what is the primary factor that determines the effectiveness of a leader's style?

Which of the following is a characteristic of transformational leadership?

What is the primary difference between charismatic and transformational leadership approaches?

Which of the following leadership approaches emphasizes the importance of learning and developing leadership skills through practice and experience?

What is the primary outcome of charismatic leadership?

What is the primary focus of charismatic leadership?

What is the key characteristic of transformational leadership?

Which leadership approach recognizes that different situations demand different kinds of leadership?

What is idealized influence in transformational leadership?

What is intellectual stimulation in transformational leadership?

What is individualized consideration in transformational leadership?

Which leadership approach focuses on the leader's ability to inspire and motivate others?

Which of the following behaviors is most characteristic of a relationship-oriented leader?

According to the situational leadership approach, which style of leadership is most suitable for team members who need guidance?

What is the primary focus of the behavior approach to leadership?

Which approach to leadership is most closely associated with emotional appeals and symbolic gestures?

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a task-oriented leader?

Which approach to leadership recognizes that leaders can learn and develop effective behaviors?

Study Notes

Criticisms of Leadership Theories

It is not what the is but what people see the as that counts in generating the charismatic relationship.