Content
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Contingency Theories and Models
The premise of contingency models of leadership state that, “Leadership is contingent upon XYZ.” In other words, virtually anything could contribute to the effectiveness of leadership; it’s contingent upon a lot of things. The situation or context, relationship with subordinates, budgets, locale, age and gender, experience and a multitude of other factors, according to contingency models, will affect leadership. This week, we’ll be introduced to contingency models and begin exploring this approach to effective leadership.
Objectives this Week
By the end of this week you will be able to:
- Explain the central premise of contingency approaches to leadership.
- Identify the situational variables that moderate leadership effectiveness.
- Apply a contingency model to a leadership situation in your own organization.
- Critique the explanatory power and the limits of contingency models.
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Content in Context
The readings this week focus on situational leadership versus management by principle. Blake and Mouton (1981) pointed out that some contradictions on the use of power and authority exist in the leadership literature. The fundamental issue involved is that of situationalism versus management by principle. Some researchers claim that there is no one best leadership style to use in any situation because situations different so much. Others, who base their conclusions on behavioral science theory claim that there is one best style to us all of the time because it leads to better outcomes for organizations and for individual followers (Blake & Mouton, 1981). Much of the debate centers on the attitudes and behaviors of leaders toward their followers and toward organizational goals (Hersey & Blanchard, 1982). Other researchers have pointed out that contingency theory leads to the conclusion that different leadership styles are needed for different situations (Vroom & Jago, 2007).
The quality of relationships between leaders and their followers can help determine organizational outcomes. High-quality relationships between leaders and followers can help contribute to the creation of positive attitudes and behaviors in organizational members (Ilies, Nahgrang, & Morgeson, 2007). Other studies have shown the quality of the relationship between leaders and followers can contribute to greater organizational commitment on the part of followers (Lee, 2005).
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Select a contingency model of leadership. How is the model you selected manifested in your organization? Provide examples and appropriate research articles to support your position.
Submission Instructions
Complete the assignment by clicking on the Discussion title above or the button below and then "Create Thread." Next, review at least three peers' work. If possible, select posts for which there are not yet any replies.
View the Discussion rubric by clicking the button below.
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Within your organization, what is leadership contingent upon? Provide examples from your organization and appropriate research articles to support your position.
Submission Instructions
Complete the assignment by clicking on the Discussion title above or the button below and then "Create Thread." Next, review at least three peers' work. If possible, select posts for which there are not yet any replies.
View the Discussion rubric by clicking the button below.
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Select two contingency models from the literature. Critique both models for their applicability and effectiveness within your organization. How is the model manifested in your organization? What does it look like? Give specific examples. Is the leadership contingency model getting the results you think it should? In other words, are the models you selected being applied effectively and getting the outcomes and employee performance you think it’s capable of achieving?
Submission Instructions
Maximum 5 pages – not including title page, references or appendices.
APA format is required. Minimum of 2 academic and/or professional references.
The rubric for this assessment will be used to provide feedback and grade your work. Review the rubric by clicking the link below and use it to guide your work.
MHA Assignment RubricStart Assignment
Complete the assignment by clicking on the assignment title or the button above.
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4.1 | The Contingency Model (10 points)
4.3 | Contingency Model Critique (100 points)