Leadership approaches to develop more effective organisations

Assignment Brief

Using different theoretical approaches to leadership critically discuss how these can help develop more effective organisations.

Sample Answer

Using Different Theoretical Approaches to Leadership to Develop More Effective Organisations

Leadership is a key part of any successful organisation. Good leaders help guide teams, make important decisions, and inspire others to reach shared goals. There are many leadership theories that can help us understand what makes a leader effective. This essay looks at several leadership theories and how they can be used to improve organisations.

1. Trait Theory of Leadership

Trait theory is one of the oldest leadership theories. It says that leaders are born with certain traits such as confidence, intelligence, and honesty. According to this theory, people with these natural qualities are more likely to become good leaders.

How it helps organisations:

Trait theory helps organisations when selecting people for leadership roles. For example, in hiring or promotion, employers may look for traits like communication skills, emotional intelligence, and decision-making ability. However, a weakness of this theory is that it ignores the impact of training and experience.

2. Behavioural Theory

Behavioural theory focuses on what leaders do rather than who they are. It looks at leadership styles, such as:

• Task-oriented (getting the job done)

• People-oriented (supporting and motivating staff)

How it helps organisations:

This theory shows that leadership behaviours can be learned and improved through training. For instance, managers can be trained to better communicate, delegate tasks, and motivate their teams. It supports the idea that effective leadership is not just about personality but also about developing the right skills.

3. Contingency Theory

Contingency theory says that there is no one best way to lead. The best leadership style depends on the situation. For example, a crisis may require a strict and clear leader, while a creative project may need a flexible and supportive leader.

How it helps organisations:

This theory encourages leaders to assess situations before acting. It also teaches that adaptability is key. Organisations benefit when managers are trained to match their leadership style to different teams or challenges.

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