Introduction to Leadership: Major Leadership Theories

Leadership is all about influencing and organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal. The study of leadership have resulted in to several leadership theories that tries to explain different aspect of leadership. The leadership theories are typically classified into trait, behavioural, contingency, and integrative theories. 

1. Trait Theories

Trait theories of leadership assume that leaders are born, not made. Leader possess certain qualities and enduring tendencies that make them an effective leader. Traits are distinguishing personal characteristics and a combination of traits leads to personality. These personality traits lies hidden deep inside the people and are essential raw-material for success. The traits differentiate leaders with non-leaders. 

The Big Five Model of Personality classifies traits into following categories:

a) Surgency: It includes dominanceand extraversion traits. The continuum of dominant trait ranges from leading through competing and influencing on one side and to being a follower on other side. The continuum of extraversion ranges from extrovert to introvert. Effective leaders are high on dominance.

b) Agreeableness:  It includes trait related to getting along with people. Agreeableness trait ranges from being warm, easy-going, compassionate, friendly, and sociable on stronger side to cold, uncompassionate, unfriendly, and unsociable on weaker side.

c) Adjustment: It includes emotional stabilities traits. It ranges from self-control, being calm, positive on stable side to out of control, nervous, insecure and negative on unstable side. Effective leaders are high on emotional intelligence.

d) Conscientiousness: It includes achievement traits. The continuum of conscientiousness ranges from being responsible, dependable to irresponsible, undependable. It also includes credibility, conformity, and organization traits. Effective leader are highly trustworthy (integrity), realistically self-confident and have high energy level.  All of which can be categorized under conscientiousness dimension.

e) Openness to Experience: It includes traits related to willingness to change and trying new things. Appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, curiosity, creativity, insightful and variety of experience. Effective leaders are high on intelligence, which is categorized under openness-to-experience.

Nine traits of effective leaders are dominance, sensitivity to others, stability, high energy, self-confidence, integrity, internal locus of control, intelligence and flexibility.

2. Behavioral Theories

Behavioural theories of leadership are based upon the belief that great leaders are made, not born. Unlike traits which lies deep inside, behaviour are visible outside. These theories assumes that people can go against their personality and can learn & demonstrate required behaviour to become an effective leader. The behavioural theories explain distinctive styles used by effective leader.

Managerial Grid Model is one of the behavioural leadership model. Based on the concern for people and the concern for production, this model classifies leadership styles in to five styles.

Managerial Grid

3. Contingency Theories

Both trait and behavioral theories of leadership tries to find the best leadership styles in all situations, but the contingency theories of leadership tries to explain the appropriate leadership style in given situational variables including leader, followers, and situation in hand.

Situational theories propose that leaders should choose the best course of action based upon situational variables. As per situational leadership theory, leader should diagnose task-specific development level of the sub-ordinate based on the competence (ability and experience) and commitment level (willingness to take responsibility). Then based on the development level, leader should choose the combination directing and supporting style of leadership.

Style of leadership depending on the assessment of the sub-ordinate:

Low Competence, Low Willingness -> Directing  -> High Direction, Low Relationship

Low Competence, High Willingness -> Coaching -> High Direction, High Relationship

High Competence, Low Willingness -> Supporting -> Low Direction, High Relationship

High Competence, High Willingness -> Delegate -> Low Direction, Low Relationship

Kenneth Blanchard's Situational Leadership - II Model

4. Integrative Theories

Integrative theories of leadership tries to combine the trait, behavioral, and contingency theories to explain effective leadership.