Management Leadership Styles

Leadership can be defined as ability to influence a group towards achievement of a vision or set of goals .Leadership can be assumed simply on basis of position of power or can arise outside the formal structure of the organization .

Various theories were put to explain different styles of leaderships in management . Below are few of the various well known theories to explain the different leadership styles .

·       Trait theories.

·       Behavioural theories.

·       Contingency theories.

·       Transformational theories.

Trait theories – What type of person makes a good leader?

Trait theories argue that leaders share a number of common personality traits and characteristics, and that leadership emerges from these traits. Early trait theories promoted the idea that leadership is an innate, instinctive quality that you either have or don't have. What's more, traits are external behaviors that emerge from things going on within the leader's mind – and it's these internal beliefs and processes that are important for effective leadership .Trait theory help us identify some qualities that are helpful when leading others and, together, these emerge as a generalized leadership style. Examples include empathy, assertiveness, good decision-making, and likability.

Traits of leader :

openness to experience intelligence

general self-efficacy adjustment /   Adaptability/flexibility

Need for achievement extraversion

Self-confidence conscientiousness

“Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” George S. Patton

Behavioral theories – What does a good leader do?

Behavioral theories focus on how leaders behave. Do they dictate what needs to be done and expect cooperation? Or do they involve the team in decisions to encourage acceptance and support?

In the 1930s, Kurt Lewin developed a leadership framework based on a leader's decision-making behavior. Lewin argued...