CONTINGENCY LEADERSHIP
- This theory emphasizes on matching leader’s effectiveness to the situation that the leader is dealing with
- In contingency leadership, the leader does not conform to the situation but the leader is matched to the situation by the organization
Situations in Contingency Leadership:
1. Leader-member situation: It is the understanding between the leader and the subordinates. If the subordinates have trust, confidence and are motivated by the leader, then the leader-member relation is considered to be positive.
2. Task Structure: Task structure refers to the clarity of the work and the clear path of achieving the end task. There are clear guidelines as to how to do the task and follow the path to achieve success in that particular task
3. Positional Power: The amount of authority a leader uses to influence the productivity of the subordinates. Amount of authority could refer to rewarding the workers for doing good work which would encourage them further or punishing workers in order to increase their productivity.
ADVANTAGES OF CONTINGENCY LEADERSHIP
- Helps develop relationships between the manager and the workers
- More effective and precise leadership
- Leaders know their tasks without confusion
- People with more experience will lead
Disadvantages of Contingency Leadership:
- Fails to explain why certain leaders with certain leadership styles are more successful in some situations than others
- •Also fails to explain what to do when there is a mismatch between the leader and the situation in the workplace
THREE SITUATIONAL VARIABLES
- Leader member relations
- Task structure
- Position Power
- By measuring a leader’s LPC score and three situational variables, one can predict whether the leader is going to be successful in a particular setting.