By the same token, by not having any specific policy implications, servant leadership theory does not expressly reject the transformational, situational or results-focused ideas of leadership. It is merely an adjunct to these theories, and is mostly useful for deciding on whether or not somebody should become a leader in the first place.
Situational Leadership and Results-Focused Leadership
These two leadership theories are opposed to one another, but they share the same philosophical underpinnings. The underlying theory of each of these leadership styles is that the leadership style is flexible, and the best leaders have the ability to utilize different styles and techniques depending on the needs of the day. Where the two differ is in the understanding of the most important determinant of leadership style. Situational leadership theory argues that leaders need to adapt to the different circumstances, changing their style to suit the challenges with which they are faced. Different external environments will result in different leadership styles, for example.
Results-oriented leadership theory argues that the leadership style should vary according to the results that the leader hopes to achieve. The external and internal environments are inputs, and therefore unimportant to the choice of leadership style. The leader must choose his or her style based on the outcomes achieved, and these will be consistent no matter what the environmental situation is. In contrast, situational leadership theory argues the opposite -- that the situation dictates the leadership style, regardless of the desired outcomes. Different outcomes may call for different tactics, but not different style.
Under both of these theories, the ideas of transformational leadership are rejected. The situation or the desired results could dictate either a transactional style or a transformational style; the use of one exclusively would lead to inferior leadership. The choice of leadership style must be determined by inputs or desired outputs, and any notion of one true correct way to lead is rejected. To be fair, while transformational and transactional leadership styles are largely mutually exclusive at any given point in time, neither theory expressly rejects...
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