Let’s say you recently received a promotion to a new post with leadership responsibilities. You’ve never had a formal leadership position before, so you want to increase the likelihood that you’ll succeed in your new role. Think about the key models and theories of leadership that we have covered in this section.
At least three of these hypotheses or models should be included in the Pro and Con list. Consider each idea in detail and talk about how it corresponds with your own distinctive personality. For instance, if someone feels that all subordinates should be treated equally, a contingency style of leadership could not match with that person’s approach.
Overview
If you often work with or manage people, it might be very helpful to have a solid understanding of leadership theories and styles. Understanding your chosen leadership style might be important because interviewers may evaluate your leadership potential during the job search process.
Leadership theory investigates what makes a good leader. Psychologists study and refine leadership theory, and researchers look for traits or behavioural patterns that characterize effective leaders. Some of the leadership facets they take into account are:
Actions Personality characteristics
Environmental and Situational Decision-Making
How input is interpreted
How to keep a relationship going
A leader’s management style reflects how they deal with their team members. These styles each have unique characteristics and were formally formed as a consequence of research on leadership theory.
Excellent guy hypothesis
According to the great man theory of leadership, outstanding leaders possess all the necessary personality attributes from birth, including intelligence, courage, confidence, intuition, and charisma. This notion, which gained popularity in the 19th century, contends that leadership skills cannot be acquired; they are either present or absent. This theory’s detractors assert that its fundamental premise is impractical.
Trait theory
According to the characteristic theory of leadership, some inherent traits frequently produce effective leaders. A person may possess these traits without necessarily possessing significant leadership abilities. Some leaders may be strong communicators or listeners, but not all communicators or listeners make good leaders.
