Reflection - Topic 5 Contingency Leadership Theories

Topic 5  Contingency Leadership Theories

This topic delves into different leadership models and how each of these leadership styles are suited for different situations.

Here's what I've learnt...

If I were to summarised what I've learned from this topic, I would divide it into 4 main parts.

First, what is Contingency Leadership Theories to me? 

Contingency Leadership Theories explains that a successful leadership is not directly proportional to the abilities of a leader, but rather depends on the situational favorableness and how it interacts with the leader's leadership style. The least-preferred coworker scale (LPC) can be utilized to assigns an individual's leadership style as either task-oriented or relationship-oriented.

Second, what is The Leadership Continuum Model? 

The Leadership Continuum Model says there are variations of leadership practices along a continuum that moves from an autocratic leadership style (boss-centered leadership) towards democratic (subordinate-centered leadership). The area of authority by a leader and the area of freedom for an employee is redefined constantly by interactions between them and the situations/variables at a particular time.

Third, what is Path-Goal Leadership Model? 

The Path-Goal Leadership Model is a theory specifying that a leader's success is governed by their ability to select a suitable leadership style (directive, supportive, participative, or achievement-oriented) under current situational forces in order to boost contentment and maximise performance in their employees.

Fourth and the last, what is Contingency Leadership - Prescriptive, Descriptive, Normative Model?

The Prescriptive Model emphasizes on "what to do", thus a leader will directly instructs his subordinates which style to use in a given situation; the descriptive model emphasizes on "what is", thus a leader will recognize the fact that contingency variables arise all the time and does not direct which style to use in a given situation; the normative leadership model emphasizes on "what is better", thus a leader will decide which leadership styles (decide, consult individually, consult group, facilitate, and delegate) is best to use in a given situation based on time-driven and development-driven decision tree.

Here's what I thought...

In the previous topic of leadership model, leadership is divided into 2 genres, autocratic and democratic leadership. However, after understanding this topic, I think that true leadership in real life lies somewhere between the two extremes. It is a continuum of leadership behaviour, and along which many leadership styles may be placed. 

Regardless, a leader should be flexible and fine-tunes the way he spearheads the team depending on the circumstances. As the saying goes, “the only constant in life is change”. There is no best way to lead a team, but being rigid and refusing to adapt to the current situation is definitely a bad example of leadership.

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