Running Head: Situational Approach and Path-Goal Theory

Situational Approach and Path-Goal Theory 4

What is a situational approach to leadership?

The situational approach, which Blanchard and Hersey developed, has the primary premise that varied situations require different leadership styles. According to Blanchard and Hersey, a situation refers to attitudes and values from which a group of people or individuals has to deal with the occurrences, planned occurrences, and the results embraced; That a tangible activity is the solution to a situation. However, situations are complex and have five elements (Thompson & Glas 2018). The elements include:

The features of a group

Structure of the interpersonal links within the group.

Physical challenges on the group

The features of a groups environment where members originate.

The perceived representation among the group members and the group itself of values and attitudes engendered by them.

Therefore, the situational influences inhibit a leader who has to implement his leadership style to the situation at hand. According to Northouse, situational leadership contains both supportive and directive dynamics. For instance, a situationally motivated leader would realize that the motivation and skills of any member of the group are not static. A mix of leaders directive and supportive activities must also change with the situation. An example of situational approaches is in a sports team that regularly changes because team members come and go; thus, the weaknesses and strengths of the whole team change too (Thompson & Glas 2018).

What is a path-goal theory?

On the other hand, the Path-Goal...

The path-goal theory can be best illustrated as to how leaders choose particular behaviors that fit the employees work environment and their needs appropriately to guide the employees in their journey towards achieving their daily work targets (Bans-Akutey, 2021). This model aims to improve employees satisfaction, motivation, and empowerment to enable them to be more productive in the organization. The employees satisfaction is tagged on the leaders performance as both the coach and the facilitator, rewarding the employees good performance. The path-goal theory model has four leadership behaviors: supportive, achievement-orient, participative, and directive. An example of a Path-Goal leader can be found in various levels of management like Steve Jobs has always been referred to as one of the Path-Goal leaders (Bans-Akutey, 2021).

Define, describe, and discuss three differences between the situational approach to leadership and the Path-Goal theory

Whereas situational leadership involves the attitudes or capabilities of the employees as well as the situation, the path-goal theory has…