The main contents of this chapter include all of the following: Concerned with styles and situations, framework for effectively matching the leader and the situation, task motivated (reaching a goal) or relationship motivated (developing close interpersonal relationships) leadership styles. | Leadership Chapter 6 - Contingency Theory Northouse, 4th edition Overview Contingency Theory Approach Perspective Leadership Styles Situational Variables Research Findings of Leader Style Effectiveness How Does the Contingency Theory Approach Work? Contingency Theory Approach Description Contingency theory is a leader-match theory (Fiedler & Chemers, 1974) Tries to match leaders to appropriate situations Leader’s effectiveness depends on how well the leader’s style fits the context Fiedler’s generalizations about which styles of leadership are best and worst are based on empirically grounded generalizations Perspective Definition Assessment based on: Leadership Styles Situational Variables Contingency Theory Approach Description Effective leadership is contingent on matching a leader’s style to the right setting Leadership Styles Leadership styles are described as: Task-motivated (Low LPCs) Leaders are concerned primarily with reaching a goal Relationship-motivated (High LPCs) Leaders are concerned with developing close interpersonal relationships Leader Style Measurement Scale (Fiedler) Least Preferred Co-Worker (LPC) Scale High LPCs = Relationship-motivated Low LPCs = Task-motivated Situational Variables/3 Factors Leader-Member Relations - Refers to the group atmosphere and the degree of confidence, loyalty, and attraction of followers for leader Group atmosphere – Good – high degree of subordinate trust, liking, positive relationship Poor – little or no subordinate trust, friction exists, unfriendly Situational Variables/3 Factors Task Structure Concerns the degree to which requirements of a task are clear and spelled out High Structure – requirements/rules - are clearly stated/known path to accomplish - has few alternatives task completion - can be clearly demonstrated limited number - correct solutions exist Situational Variables/3 Factors Task Structure, cont’d. Concerns the degree to which requirements of a task are clear and spelled out Low Structure – . | Leadership Chapter 6 - Contingency Theory Northouse, 4th edition Overview Contingency Theory Approach Perspective Leadership Styles Situational Variables Research Findings of Leader Style Effectiveness How Does the Contingency Theory Approach Work? Contingency Theory Approach Description Contingency theory is a leader-match theory (Fiedler & Chemers, 1974) Tries to match leaders to appropriate situations Leader’s effectiveness depends on how well the leader’s style fits the context Fiedler’s generalizations about which styles of leadership are best and worst are based on empirically grounded generalizations Perspective Definition Assessment based on: Leadership Styles Situational Variables Contingency Theory Approach Description Effective leadership is contingent on matching a leader’s style to the right setting Leadership Styles Leadership styles are described as: Task-motivated (Low LPCs) Leaders are concerned primarily with reaching a goal Relationship-motivated (High LPCs) Leaders
