How effective leaders design their behaviors is important, because it essentially rubs off onto the group they are inspiring. This can be conducted through using motivation as a way to mold the behavior of the group to the most optimal level (House & Aditya 1997). Yet, there are a number of potential limitations within this theoretical structure as well. Mainly, under behavior theories of leadership, if a leader, or manager, does not behave well, they will prove an ineffective leader. Moreover, the research shows that a number of behavior theories popular today fail to explicitly "specify the boundary conditions" for invoking particular "behavior manifestations" (House & Aditya 1997 p 416). This shows that there is limited research and evidence to illustrate how leaders can utilize behavioral theories to successfully invoke the very exact type of behavior they are looking for from within the group. Finally, behavioral theories are often also "plagued by limitations of measurement" since behavior can be such an abstract concept to study and define in very specific circumstances (House & Aditya 1997 p 420). Thus, there are limitations within the context of modern behavioral theories regarding leadership. In addition to behavioral theories as prominent assumptions of leadership, the research also highlights contingency theory as having a major impact on the contemporary discourse on leadership. Contingency theory is much different...

Essentially, contingency theories define each situation as specifically unique, and therefore invoke certain behaviors or characteristics in order to create effective leadership. The main contribution of contingency theory within the study of leadership is that it gave a multi-faceted approach to leadership that allowed for more specific control elements to be used based on the uniqueness of each and every situation.
It is clear that leadership and management do not always go hand in hand. What makes a good leader is not inherent in what constitutes being a manager. Moreover, there are a number of very different theories that help illustrate how to lead effectively in a modern context. Many of these theories have strong foundations which can be used in practical implementations, but often are hard to define because of their abstract connotations. Leadership is an abstract concept, and one which does need more attention in the contemporary discourse.

References

De Pree, Max. (2004). Leadership is an Art. Random House Digital.

House, R.J. & Aditya, R.N. (1997). The social scientific study of leadership: Quo Vidis? Journal of Management, 23(1997), 409-473.

Smirich, Linda & Morgan, Gareth. (1982). Leadership: The management of meaning. Journal of Applied…