How does the contingency model of leadership apply to leadership styles?
4 years ago
Organizational Behavior
Contingency Model of leadership
According to the contingency model of leadership, the success of leadership depends upon the situation in which the leader operates. This model was developed by Fred E. Fiedler. According to him, a leader's effectiveness depends upon the following three situational factors.
- Leader-followers relations that is the degree of followers trust, confidence and respect for the leader.
- Task structure, power, that is the nature of task performed by the subordinates.
- Leader position power, power that is, the degree associated with the position or status held by the leader in the organization.
The most favourable situation for leaders to influence their group is one in which:
- they are well liked by the members,
- the task performed is highly structured
- and the leader has enough power attached to his/her position in the organization. On the other hand, the most unfavourable situation for leaders is one in which:
- they are disliked,
- the task is highly unstructured and
- little power is attached to the leader's position. Findings of the Fiedler Model
Based on the Fiedler's model one can draw three major conclusion.
- Situation I is the most favourable situation for leader while situation 8 is the least favourable one.
- Leader that is task-oriented in nature performs best at situation I, II, III and VIII
- Leader that is people-centered performs bests at situation number IV, V, VI, VII.
Bijay Satyal
Oct 30, 2021