Leadership Path Goal Theory The Boy Scouts" using the "path- goal theory

Leadership theories

Path Goal Theory

Explain how the theory works and include an example

Explain the effect of power and influence that leaders have on followers in the organization

Are the followers receptive?

Would you recommend another strategy?

Transformational Leadership

Transactional Leadership

Evaluate the role of transformational and transformational leadership in the organization

Effectiveness of transformational and transactional leadership in the organization

Examples

Assess the traits and characteristics of an effective team leader within the organization

Explain how the leadership supports vision, mission, and strategy in the organization

If you were the leader in the organization, what would you change and why?

Conclusion

References

Introduction:

The leadership theories are different in their relevance and approach, however, the importance of effective leadership cannot be undermined in operations of a successful organization. The boy scouts and other military organizations also deploy various leadership and management practices in order to motivate their members. It further leads them for successful operations and achievement of desired objectives. The businesses incorporate different techniques and leadership practices including transformational and transactional styles to achieve results.

The boy scouts and military use path goal theory in order to motivate and govern their organizations. The goal oath theory provides an effective approach for the leadership to highlight the importance of the goals, offers rewards for achievement, and guides through a strategy to achieve objectives. The effectiveness of goal path theory, characteristics and traits of the leadership following different styles of leadership are elaborated in the following sections. The changes proposed are also a significant part of the research.

Leadership theories:

Winkler (2010) provides a detailed account of the leadership theories used in the contemporary business settings. The major classification of the theories is related to the attribution theories, psychodynamic leadership approach, neo-charismatic leadership, and leader-member exchange theory. The symbolic leaders, micro-politics, role theory and social learning theory of leadership are mostly considered relevant in the modern world of business. The path goal theory is also highlighted as a classical theory which is still applicable in the real world of leadership. The emphasis of the research will be on goal path theory in relation to the boy scouts and military leadership approaches.

Path Goal Theory:

The path goal theory is also denoted as a contingency theory of leadership that is focused on the leader rather than the followers. The path goal theory emphasizes on the personal ability of the individual leaders to motivate employees in attaining the organizational and personal objectives. The leadership influences through style, tasks, and performer's abilities. The leaders define the goals and also indicate a path to achieve the stated rewards. Furthermore the leaders also provide necessary support to their subordinates to achieve these goals. The basis of goal path theory rests on the assumption that the followers of a leader are motivated through providing a belief on their ability to perform the tasks; the efforts will lead them to achieve certain results, and the worthiness in the reward against their efforts.

Explain how the theory works and provide example:

The theory works for the boy scouts organization and other military related enterprises in terms of the leader's ability to provide a basis for their followers. The military leaders in particular provide a path to their followers through defining the strategy prepared at the highest level to achieve certain missions. These missions are goals designated to the followers along with the clear reward in case of attaining certain objectives. The leaders in a military organization are directive, participative, and achievement oriented.

The effect of power and influence that leaders have on followers in the organization:

The leaders and followers use their power and influence in order to accomplish various tasks within an organization. The power is denoted as the ability to influence other person's behaviour whereas influence is depicted as effect of person's actions that has an impact on attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours on of other. There are different sorts of powers that are derived from the organizational authority and sources of position that a leader holds within the hierarchy. The legitimate, reward, and corrective power is derived from the position held by the leaders within an organization. The personal powers exerted by the leaders in an organization are related to the expert and referent powers. The personal efforts also provide a source of power to the leaders for influencing the employees (Samson, & Daft, 2009).

Are the followers receptive?

The leadership behavior is also associated with the characteristics of subordinates, and nature of the task. The directive leadership style according...

The task is unclear with complex rules to be followed. The supportive role of the leaders nurture the employees that are unsatisfied, need affiliation, and human presence for performing the tasks. Task structure refers to the nature in terms of unclear rules, receptive, and mix of these two conditions. The formal authority of the leader may be too waging in providing clear instructions for the job.
Would you recommend another strategy?

The accurate strategy for achieving a goal should be in line with the requirements of the tasks and clear identification of the reward. It is already highlighted that the clarity in the goals, rewards system, and support for achievement of the goals is required. The effective leaders often create a leadership environment where the employees are motived through clear worth of the reward they are going to achieve after putting their best efforts in achievement of the goals. The strategy based on these three rules will provide effective leadership and enable the military and boy scouts to be motivated for the organizational objectives.

Transformational Leadership:

The transformational leaders tend to influence, inspire, move, and transform their followers through personal examples to achieve organizational results. The capability of the leaders to influence their subordinates in achievement of goals beyond their capabilities is also associated with the transformational leaders. The change management is also associated with the transformational leadership. The leadership tends to introduce new models, products, and services to create a changed vision, structure, goals, and strategies for the organization. The transformational leaders are popular in their approach to encourage and motivate the employees through a clear vision and strategy.

Transactional Leadership:

The transactional leaders are contrary in their approach from transformational leaders. The transactional leaders focus on the organizational plans to increase consistency in their subordinates. The transactional leaders are most likely to plan, schedule, control, and work with their employees in detail for their tasks. The contribution of these leaders is essential in creating a transaction for their organizations to achieve their objectives. The transactional leaders require a continuation in performance; therefore the employees are rewarded and punished based on their performance. The nature of style and performance requirements of these leaders is almost similar for transactional leaders.

The role of transformational and transformational leadership in the organization:

The transformational leadership is associated with the change and transformation of the existing business vision, policies, structures, and most importantly the objectives. The transformational leadership is popular in changing business and economic requirements as it leads the subordinates through their own examples and provide them an opportunity to perform beyond expectations. The leadership inspires its subordinates and leads them by personal examples, character, and charisma. It is also associated with the charismatic leaders which lead the followers through inspiring them and motivating them to achieve the organizational and personal objectives.

Effectiveness of transformational and transactional leadership in the organization:

The transactional leaders offer a contract reward or contingent rewards for their subordinates. The exchange of rewards for motivating employees in performing according to the required standards is the major element of the character in transactional leaders. The exchange of rewards, goal achievement reward promise, and recognition for accomplishments is also one of the characters for reward systems developed by the transactional leaders. It is also observed that some transformational leaders also require the characteristics of transactional leaders to sustain the results.

Examples:

The transformation of New York Police Department observed a fall in crimes under the leadership of Bill Bartton in 1994. The police department was demoralized and staffed with unsatisfied employees. The takeover of the visionary leader helped the police to boast their level of satisfaction and as a result the confidence level of the citizens rose from 37% to 73% in two years according to the Gallop survey. The famous inspirational leader Steve Jobs also created a sensational inspiration within his company and the market to produce remarkable market entry. The Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer also effectively raised the expectations of the employees to perform beyond expectations.

The traits and characteristics of an effective team leader within the organization:

The traits and characteristics of organizational leadership are an important factor that plays a significant role in governing and effectively managing an organization. The leadership traits and characteristics are also varying in their nature and requirements. Different styles of leadership are researched and presented in the academic and professional literature. According to Bolman, and Deal (2011) the effective leaders should have following characteristics and traits in common. The leadership should possess a strong vision about their roles and expectations from other.…