Trait theory and situational leadership models in organizational practice

Trait Theory and Application

The "Trait Theory" of leadership has developed most during the past 3 decades and is concerned with amassing the core personality characteristics of known leaders -- both effective and ineffective -- to predict potential for successful leadership. Trait Theory currently recognizes more than 100 identified physiological, demographic, personality, intellectual, task-related and social characteristics. The most generally recognized characteristics include: the drive for achievement; intense motivation to lead; honesty; integrity; self-confidence; higher-than-average cognitive ability; business knowledge; emotional maturity; charisma, creativity and flexibility. Trait Theory has been supported by considerable research and is advantageous in that it offers detailed and clearly-defined qualities for leadership assessment on all organizational levels. Unfortunately, the theory also has drawbacks: in some respects, those traits are quite subjectively interpreted; it cannot predict future behavior; it fails to account for development of personality and skills; it fails to address ways in which negative traits can be changed; experts disagree on the importance assigned to each trait; it sometimes leads to the mistaken conclusion that leaders are born, not made, though leadership development is clearly a combination of Nature/Nurture - inborn traits/skills and their development (Heffner Media Group, Inc., 2003; Management Study Guide.com, 2012).

Whether or not it receives due credit, Trait Theory is widely used by individuals attempting to "move up" within large organizations and by large organizations attempting to find their potential leaders. For example, a Blue Cross or "WellPoint" job description posted January 26, 2012 for "Senior Project Manager" contains a laundry list of leadership traits: "expert facilitation skills; expert relationship management & communication skills; highly detail-oriented; highly organized; ability to make sense of ambiguous situations; ability to take ownership and make an immediate impact" (WellPoint, Inc., 2012). In response, the applicant is supposed to measure his/her own traits to see how closely they match the job description characteristics. From experience, a job interview for a management position at WellPoint includes such ham-handed questions as "Can you take ownership and make an immediate impact?" At that point, the applicant is expected to essentially say, "Yes, I can!" The result can be a wholly subjective interpretation of the traits by the interviewer and the interviewee.

3. Situational Theory ("Hersey Blanchard Model") and Application

Developed in the 1970's and 80's and also known as the "Life-Cycle" theory, the Situational Theory calls on the leader for flexible leadership according to the readiness of his/her followers/subordinates. Creating four "Readiness Levels" for subordinates, Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard determined that an organization's followers have varying levels of ability and willingness to complete certain work tasks. Hersey and Blanchard labeled those four readiness levels as: "R1" or "Low Follower Readiness," indicating a follower's low ability and willingness to accomplish a task (not able and not confident); "R2" or "Low to Moderate Follower Readiness," indicating low level of ability but high level of willingness to accomplish a task (confident but not able); "R3" or "Moderate to High Follower Readiness," indicating a high level of ability but low willingness to accomplish a task (able but not confident); "R4" or "High Follower Readiness," indicating high levels of both ability and willingness to complete a task (able and confident). The leader's management style adapts to those four readiness levels, the leading style adapts, using "Task Behavior" and/or "Relationship Behavior." Task behavior consists of varying levels -- from low to high -- of direction, goal setting and role defining given by the leader to the follower. "Relationship Behavior" consists of varying levels -- from low to high -- of reciprocal communication between leaders and followers, with the leader listening to the follower and giving encouragement. The four levels of leadership corresponding to the follower's four levels are: "S1" or "Telling," emphasizing high task behavior and low relationship behavior, designed for dealing with low follower readiness (R1); "S2" or "Selling," in which the leader uses high task and relationship behaviors, designed for dealing with low-to-moderate follower readiness (R2); "S3" or "Participating," in which the leader uses low task behavior and high relationship behavior, designed for dealing with moderate-to-high follower readiness (R3); "S4" or "Delegating," in which the leader uses low task and relationship behavior (Management Study Guide.com, 2012). Situational leadership is advantageous in that it is easily applied and focuses some leadership attention on the readiness and willingness of his/her followers. It is disadvantageous in that: it is not readily applicable to leaders with very limited power, such as managers; the theory can be skewed by deadlines and complexity of the work task; when tested, this leadership style doesn't work as theorized (Leadership Central.com, 2012).

This theory is seen in an ALCOA mill in which workers are divided into hourly millworkers, forepersons and supervisors. When the supervisor gives the daily work detail to the foreperson, the foreperson is expected to meet that shift's performance demand. From personal experience, however, when the foreperson then gives the daily work assignments to the millworkers, he/she is faced with people of widely varying abilities and willingness whose jobs are strongly protected by their union. Millworkers range from people who are highly capable and willing to persons who hide makeshift beds in large aluminum coils in order to sleep during their shifts. The foreperson must nevertheless meet the daily performance quota; therefore, he/she uses every approach outlined in situational theory, probably without ever knowing that it is a well-defined and named theory.

5. Transformational Theory and Application

The Transformational Theory of leadership is one of the newer theories and calls for visionary, inspiring, daring and thoughtful leaders who inspire their followers to high performance. This theory applied in all levels and divisions of an organization, as well as the organization as a whole. The transformation theory is founded on "Inspirational Motivation," setting common vision, mission and values for the organization, and the leader within this organization work enthusiastically within that system. The leader must also encourage "Intellectual Stimulation" in the form of innovation and creativity by followers. In addition, the leader must provide "Idealized Influence," acting as a role model for followers. Finally, the leader must provide "Individualized Consideration," mentoring and rewarding innovation and creativity from individual followers. While the Transformational Theory can successfully inspire workers to high performance, it has also been criticized in that: it uses "impression management" which can allow "amoral self-promotion" by leaders and harmful manipulation of workers; it is a complex theory combining many theories and is therefore difficult to teach.

Nursing supervision within hospitals is clear-cut example of this applied theory, in which Nursing Directors are expected to be inspirational role models who are utterly committed to an ideal of high-quality patient care. Reflective of a constant emphasis on transformational leadership, a recently submitted cover letter for a nursing supervisory position begins:

"My annexed resume is submitted for the position of 'Director of Nursing, Critical Care.' While the resume details my extensive qualifications, I appreciate this opportunity to speak pointedly about my exceptional capabilities for this position. Excellent patient care is the hallmark of my Nursing career and with or without the title of 'Director,' I have readily led, collaborated or followed as needed in my unflinching commitment to that ideal. As a result, in addition to the customary minimal qualifications, I possess a depth and breadth of outstanding skills that make me an exemplary candidate and I welcome 24-hour accountability to achieve system-wide excellence."

6. Transactional Theory and Application

Described by Max Weber in 1947 and by Bernard Bass in 1981, the Transactional Theory focusses on controlling, organizing and short-term planning, inspiring followers by self-interest and a clear system of reward/punishment. Here, the leader's transactions with followers consist of four aspects: "Contingent Rewards" in which the leader sets SMART -- specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely -- goals for subordinates that are clearly linked to rewards; "Active Management by Exception" in which the leaders carefully monitor followers, watching for deviations and immediately correcting those deviations; "Passive Management by Exception," in which the leader acts only when standards/expected performance is not met, and may include punishment; "Laissez-faire," in which the leader avoids decision-making and leaves followers to make decisions. The "Transactional Theory" works well for cost-cutting, production improvement and clear/simple organizational problems; however, its reliance on punishment/reward and lack of inspiration can cause "an environment permeated by position, power, perks, and politics" (Management Study Guide.com, 2012).

A strong example of the Transactional Theory occurred at PharmChem, Inc. In 1996. Established by a married couple who were brilliant but difficult, this drug-testing corporation initially thrived, went public, and then financially nose-dived due to the enduring eccentricities of its founders. At that point, the Board of Directors removed the founders and brought in professional "corporate doctors" to deal with devastated company finances. The corporate doctors moved in en masse, slashed costs, highly improved production, renegotiated service contracts and made it crystal clear to PharmChem's workforce that: a well-defined set of performance goals had to be met; a well-defined set of work procedures had to be followed; that high performance would be financially rewarded and low performance would be fired; that it was, therefore, in the workers' best interests to perform exceptionally well and meet all goals.

7. Behavioral Theory ("House's Path-Goal Theory") and Application

Developed by Robert House in the early 1970's and alternately called the "Path-Goal" Theory, Behavioral Theory stresses the leader's behavior in clearly defining the paths to goals and removing performance obstacles so the follower effectively perceives his/her expected effort and performance. Here, the leader is a servant, coach and facilitator for his/her followers, and employs one, some or all of four possible leadership styles: "Directive," in which the leader gives guidelines, expectations, performance standards and rewards/discipline; "Supportive," in which the leader is friendly and shows concern for his/her followers' well-being; "Participative," in which the leader uses group decision-making with followers regarding work decisions such as goals and the paths to those goals; "Achievement-oriented," in which the leader sets high goals and expects followers to be responsible enough to reach those goals. The leader's use of one, some or all these styles depending on: employee characteristics, such as needs, ability, experience, anxiety, job satisfaction; work environment characteristics, such as team dynamics and task characteristics. This leadership theory is advantageous in that: it receives great support from several studies of its effectiveness; it keeps leaders mindful of their importance in follower satisfaction and performance by assisting followers in defining and achieving goals.

There is a small but lucrative surrogacy agency, which must remain anonymous, in which the owner uses one, some or all of the Behavioral Theory leadership styles, to great effect. From personal experience, this owner is directive toward staff, supportive, participative or achievement-oriented depending on the task at hand, the available staff and the client. This person, who is highly intelligent and well-educated, moves fluidly among those styles, sometimes within the same staff meeting, to achieve the goals. As a result, the surrogacy staff is highly motivated and cohesive, their skills are honed to a fine edge and they achieve goals that seem nearly impossible for such a small staff. It's a beautiful process to behold and its beauty is at least partially due to the surrogacy owner's leadership style.

8. Conclusion -- DEAR CUSTOMER: YOU SAID THAT THIS ORDER IS ONLY PART OF AN ESSAY, SO I WILL LEAVE THE CONCLUSION TO YOU.