Michigan University and Ohio Leadership Model - Case Study Example

Running Header: Organisational Behaviour Case Study 2500 words (Leadership Theory and Practice,Motivation, Attitudes, Communication Theory and Practice). Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Table of contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….…3 Behavioral leadership…………………………………………………………………….4 Michigan University and Ohio leadership model……………………………………..…4 Difference between the Michigan and the Ohio model………………….…….………...5 Analysis of the leadership of Anna Bligh………………………………………….……7 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..….……..10 References ……………………………………………………………….…….……..11 Introduction Occurrence of a crisis calls for leaders who are able to handle the situation well and in accordance with the expectations of victims. Leadership skills may be inborn or sometimes leadership skills are acquired through experience and training. Alan (2007) describes a leader as that person who highly molds a number or group of people in the direction of achieving a certain goal. The main aspects of leadership involve persons; that is, the leader, people and the main purpose. A leader goes first and makes the lead by example like the case of the Anna Bligh. Her case study gives us a clear picture of who a leader is; showing what is leadership. This case study of Anna Bligh taking control in the Queensland flood crises will help us in getting answers to what really is leadership; must one be in an office or in authority to express leadership skills?, does one become a leader just because he or she takes a lead? Leadership is making commitments and serving as an example to many. The topic of leadership has been discussed broadly for a long time; this led to the famous Ohio and Michigan behavioural leadership studies to explain the dimensions of human leadership behavior. Further to this case study will find out the differences and the similarities between these two famous leadership behavior studies. Anna Bligh in the cause of her duty portrays leadership qualities; this will be discussed in this evaluation to clearly draw concrete conclusions on how leadership theories relate to theoretical concepts in the study of motivation, communication, attitude, and whether the actions of Anna Bligh had an impact to these three important aspects of leadership. Does understanding of motivational theory impact on leadership? This question will be well answered after the analysis of the Anna Bligh actions during the Queensland crisis. Behavioral leadership As Thomas (2009) explains, behavioral leadership involves the study of behavior or actions shaping the style of leadership. Leadership theories explains leadership in two different forms; leadership which is situational, according to the different environments a leader is operating in, and bureaucratic leadership for persons empowered through an office. Behavioral leadership puts more emphasis on the actions of the leader, Transactional leaders are considered effective compared to transformational leaders. The main query is if people can be offered training to become leaders? This led to the two main behavioral studies; the University of Michigan studies and the Ohio behavioral studies, which were meant to bring out a clear view of what makes an effective leader. These researches were later on followed by the contingent theories to describe leadership concept broadly. University of Michigan and Ohio leadership models This University of Michigan research which was conducted in 1950s referred leaders to be production pointed; this are the leaders who have a strong attitude of getting the job done and doing the job very well. The second aspect articulated by the Michigan studies is that leadership is employee oriented; this involves a leader taking individual interest towards their staff and the best way to bring up strong comradeship. The leader under the production pointed leadership closely directs and monitors subordinates, giving clear roles and goals. Under the employee centered leadership style; the leader is more sensitive to the subordinates while making communications to develop high level of trust. The two leadership styles show that they are distinct in that, a manager cannot be high on both dimensions (Connel 2010). Anna and Bligh’s case article shows a high level of communication and willingness to ensure that work is done and that it is well done. In this case the work being done is rescue and giving information to the fellow Queenslanders who have been adversely affected by floods and its consequences. Anna plays a major role as a the leader of the rescue team as we learn that she hardly sleeps trying to do all that is possible to ensure the rescue team delivers according to the expectations of the affected people. This Ohio study referred two distinct leadership styles which include initiating structure and consideration. The initiative structure of leadership style is almost the same as the job centered. It also focuses on getting a job done. This is a similarity to the Michigan study as they both have a focus on doing a job well. Regarding consideration leadership style, leaders focuses on nurturing a common trust, getting social relations, and respecting subordinate’s ideas. This leadership style is more relationship oriented. These two styles seem not to be mutually undivided as leaders or managers could be high on the tasks being done and the relationship. This model is no different from the Michigan University’s model; the role of a leader is to lead by example as it is brought out by the efforts of Anna Bligh to serve the people and her subordinates to effectively deliver the mandate of the rescue team. (Connel 2010) As indicated by Debrah, Nelson and James (2007), there is one major difference between the Ohio and the Michigan University leadership study; the two leadership behaviors are put in the opposite ends but in the same time; this makes it a one dimensional form of leadership. On the other hand the Ohio models put into consideration that the two leadership behaviors are not dependent on each other. This makes this model a two dimensional, making this particular model to have four leadership styles. According to Keith (1997), a leader’s ability to lead is detailed upon various factors which are situational; this includes leaders most liked or preferred leadership style, the potentialities and the conduct of followers among other situational factors. Contingency theories mainly argue about none existence of a particular way suitable for leadership and further argues that leadership styles that is good in one situation may not necessarily mean that it is effective in all situations. This unlike the Ohio and the Michigan models show that leaders who are effective in various places and at a specific time, may not do well when taken into other situations or even when some factors around them change either positively or negatively. An example of the case of Anne Bligh doing or playing a great leadership role in the Queensland flood disaster, the contingent theories may mean that if Anne was taken to a different area faced by different crises, she may not be as successful as in the Queensland crisis. Contingency theories mainly take the view that the capability of the leaders and some other important variables within a crisis. A good practical case is that of the Anna Bligh where leadership qualities were well portrayed making Anna to be viewed as a successful leader. Smith (1984) argues that, in contingency theory, decision making process is very crucial and depends on various situational aspects among them, the quality and the way the followers will accept the decision made. For example if a leader has to influence the followers on a certain change in the management; not all the people affected by this particular decision will be proud of it. This calls for a well negotiated and involving final decision to fit the subordinates. In this case a leader should be able to lead as an example. As Stephen (2003) asserts, in the contingency theories of leadership is that a leader’s values and expectations must be inline with their goals, communication aspect must be strong between the parties involved a leader should involve a direct approach and a participative approach as in the case of the Anna Bligh who enhances participation of concerned parties to mange the flood disaster as it is their main goal. Among the contingent factors of a leader is the power on the influence in the chosen goals, the subordinate’s expectations, the many complexities of an organization, and the uncertainty plus the certainty of the task to be accomplished. Contingency theories require a leader to make a situational analysis of the best action to take. This is so because each situation faced requires a unique way of handling it. A good example is the need to use an authoritative approach or leadership style to get work done this is so because a leader is a person who is able to make firm decisions because getting all team members to get motivated is a huge task. Evaluation of Anna Bligh’s leadership skills As described by Mathew and Christian (2011), Anna Bligh is the leader of the States Emergency management System, a role she perfectly takes control of. A leader leads by an example; as people described Anna as a coolheaded and one who holds all details of the Queensland disaster, this is one characteristics of a leader who gets well informed on the issues being taken care of. The contingency theories explained by Ingow (2009) shows Anna as one influential leader especially in making wise decisions when offering well managed moral support that is very useful to those affected by the Queensland flood disaster. Further to this Anna displays the most important characteristic of an able leader by having a good member relation both to the affected people, to her subordinates and also to her family which was also affected by floods. Contingency theories emphasize on the importance of situational response and this is well portrayed by Anna Bligh who shows a lot of confidence when handling and leading the emergency team. Anna hardly sleeps, works round the clock promoting community spirit to the rescuers to empathize with those affected by the floods as well as help her family. As Miles and Stroebe (2001) a further claims; leadership requires nurturing respect and trust. This has been portrayed clearly by Anna Bligh who have been holding meetings, conferences, telephone calls and emails from the victims, friend and among her subordinates and other staffs who were all included in the entire management of the flood disaster in the Queensland. The process of decision making is and should all be inclusive through negotiations by all parties involved. The conclusion or the final; decision should be well advised by first understanding the situation on the ground. This helps in perfect strategizing, decision making and problem analysis. Anna Bligh was not exceptional as she was involved in retrieving gathering as much information as possible through consultative meetings with the other senior members from government departments, police and the defense force members. This portrays the positive qualities of leadership as explained by the contingency theories together with the other models of leadership from the Ohio and the University of Michigan. Accurate and timely information is also very critical in leadership. The media conferences held by the rescue team under the leadership of Anna Bligh creates an opportunity to the entire world to understand that early evacuation is very important in management of disasters. A leadership theory highlights timely information dissemination as an aspect of a good leader. Being motivated as it is described by Thomas (2009); it is a crucial determinant on how to handle situations like the one Anna Bligh was facing as the leader of the rescue management system leader. This is character which has a direct impact to the people being served as well as the subordinates of the leader. Leadership theories explain the role played by motivation in team management and working together. Motivation being the driving force that helps in the achievement of goal achievement; an intrinsic motivation is much stronger and leaders who posses show high level of charisma towards the followers and the subordinates. Motivation is one of the key importances of management; followers need to be motivated to gain the ability to get the work done, increase their productivity, and to get the required job satisfaction. Motivation requires an understanding of all the employees at individual capacity, thus making motivation a hard task for leaders. Many leadership theories and models attribute the success of a leader to the motivation skills portrayed by the leader among other things. Therefore it is very important to have a motivated leader. Communication has also been attributed to success of many leaders and especially in the case of the Anna Bligh. In her case communication both formal and informal were used and highly depended to effectively give information to those affected and as well to get information from those involved in the rescue team under the leadership of Anna. The leadership of Anna had an impact on the importance of accurate information dissemination and the need for communication in leadership. This shows that the Queensland disaster is an eye opener for the realization of that good role prayed when a leader is able to gather information and communicating the same information to all concerned parties. Organizational behavior studies is equally important to enhance knowledge of how each subordinate or staff behaves in the work place so as to make sure that a leader has a good understanding of the people he or she is leading. The other most important thing is development of positive attitudes towards tasks and goals to be accomplished. Leadership‘s success requires an attitude that is aimed at guiding the leader on the way forward; mainly after realizing the task ahead. As proposed by the leadership theories attitude development is crucial in forming a good organizational relationship. Attitude has a direct link with successful leadership. Anna Bligh got this right by ensuring that she held conferences often, regular meeting with the government departments, the police and the defense force this was a step towards developing positive attitude to his followers as an approach in ensuring success and the satisfaction of the employees working under her. Conclusion Leadership is a very demanding task regardless of the position or situation a leader is in. However, leadership skills are the most important if a leader has to be successful. Many theories have been put in place to describe forms and different styles of leadership all over the world; from the Ohio and Michigan university models of leadership to many contingency theories. It is important to note that charismatic leaders are few. The importance of leader’s knowledge on how people within an organization act cannot be neglected, this is so because leadership is made successful through working as a group. Although studies have been conducted in various fields of leadership values but less has been accomplished in determining a concrete definition of the term effective leadership. Leadership is seen to be successful after the outcomes or the goals of a particular task are accomplished. Successful or effective leaders should place concerns and needs of the subordinates, the community and also customers ahead of the interests of their own from. A strong conclusion can be made that servant leaders show empathy, they are committed, towards the growth of their followers. Leadership may be inborn or can also be acquired through training. Although there is no style of leadership that is seen to be the best, conclusion can be made that followers are very contented with a considerate leader. We should all strive to become successful leader in the capacity we serve. References Alan, S 2007, ‘definition of a leader’, viewed 2 April 2011, 2011,http://www.vtaide.com/gleanings/leader.htm Connel, J 2009, ‘Leadership behavior and motivation’, Journal of Social Psychology, vol.10, pp.271-30. Debrah, Nelson, and James, C 2007, Understanding organizational behavior. Cengage Learning, United States. Ingow, W 2009, Contemporary leadership theories: Enhancing the understanding of the complexity, subjectivity and dynamic of leadership. Springer Publishers, United States. Keith 1997, Leadership: Classical, contemporary and critical approaches, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom. Mathew, F and Christian, K 2011, ‘Anna Bligh steps up and takes control’, The Australian, Jan 15. Miles, H and Stroebe, W 2001, Introduction to social psychology: a European perspective, Wiley-Blackwel, United States. Smith, M 1984. ‘Contingency rules theory and compliance behaviors’, Human Communication Research, vol.10, pp.489-512. Stephen, J and Zachary, N 2003, ‘Leadership theory and practice: Fostering an effective symbiosis’, Leadership Quarterly, vol. 14, pp. 769. Thomas, E 2009, Behavioural leadership-the management grid, Drack and Binding, Germany. . Read More