9990 · 4.2.1
Traditional and modern theories of leadership flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9990 Traditional and modern theories of leadership (syllabus 4.2.1). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
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Trait theory of leadership?
Leaders possess innate qualities (intelligence, self-confidence, determination) — 'great person' view; weak at predicting who will lead effectively.
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Ohio State leadership dimensions?
Initiating structure (task focus) and consideration (relationship warmth) — independent dimensions, not either/or.
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Michigan leadership styles?
Production-centred (task) vs employee-centred (relationship) — employee-centred linked to higher satisfaction.
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Fiedler's LPC scale?
Least Preferred Co-worker — measures leader's task vs relationship orientation; style is relatively fixed.
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Fiedler situational favourableness?
Leader-member relations, task structure, position power — determines whether task- or relationship-oriented leader fits best.
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Why contingency theory matters?
No single best style — effectiveness depends on matching leader orientation to situational control.
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What is the core assumption of trait theories of leadership?
That effective leaders possess a set of stable, innate personal characteristics or 'traits' (e.g., intelligence, charisma, determination) that differentiate them from non-leaders.
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Name the two key leadership behaviour dimensions from the Ohio State University studies.
1. Initiating Structure (task-oriented behaviours, e.g., organising work, defining roles). 2. Consideration (relationship-oriented behaviours, e.g., trust, respect for subordinates' ideas).
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What does Fiedler's Contingency Theory propose?
It proposes that leadership effectiveness depends on the 'match' between a leader's style (measured by the LPC scale) and the favourableness of the situation (determined by leader-member relations, task structure, and position power).
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What is the 'LPC' scale in Fiedler's theory?
The 'Least Preferred Co-worker' scale. It asks a leader to think of the person they least enjoyed working with and rate them on a series of bipolar adjectives. A low score indicates a task-oriented leader; a high score indicates a relationship-oriented leader.
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According to Path-Goal Theory, what is the leader's primary function?
To motivate subordinates by clarifying the path to achieving their work goals, removing obstacles, and making the journey easier. The leader adapts their style to fit the subordinate and the work environment.
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What is the main difference between trait and behavioural theories of leadership?
Trait theories assume leaders are 'born' with innate qualities, focusing on *who* the leader is. Behavioural theories assume leadership can be 'made' or learned, focusing on *what* the leader does.
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What are the three variables that determine situational favourableness in Fiedler's model?
1. Leader-member relations (the level of trust and confidence followers have in the leader). 2. Task structure (the degree to which job assignments are procedurised). 3. Position power (the leader's influence over hiring, firing, discipline, promotions, and salary increases).
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What is a major criticism of Fiedler's Contingency Theory?
The LPC scale is criticised for being difficult to interpret (what does it truly measure?) and for the assumption that a leader's style is fixed and cannot adapt to different situations.