Fiedler's Contingency Theory - Coursework Example

Leadership as a concept is very important and can be traced back to the Anglo period and looks to set example and makes other people follow them. The concept of leadership has been developed through different perspectives, approaches, models and theories which are classical, behavioural, situational, contingency, contemporary theories and more. Situational and contingency model of leadership is more widely used due to the different gains it provides. This paper will look at discussing the Fiedler's contingency theory and the Hersey-Blanchard model of leadership. It will look forward the bring forward the manner in which differences between the theories are helpful and the manner it has shaped the concept of leadership. Fiedler's contingency theory as the name suggest is a contingency model of leadership. This model states that effectiveness of a leader is dependent on the interaction of leader style and characteristics with the given situation so that task can be accomplished. This has helped to determine leadership as leader-member relations, task – structure and leader – position power (Tannenbaum and Schmidt, 2005). The overall framework has thereby helped to identify the leadership style as Very favourable situation which the three elements which have been identified are high Intermediate favourableness situation when the three elements identified are satisfactorily Unfavourable situation when the three critical elements are low This has helped Fiedler to identify two leadership style which are task oriented and relationship oriented. Both the leadership style are relatively inflexible and is not appropriate for every situation but is very effective given the relative situation. This thereby makes it important that the leadership style is matched with the required situation and changes are made according to the different needs and requirements of the situation. One of the models of situational leadership is Hersey-Blanchard model of leadership which has been developed based on Tannenbaum and Schmidt‟s leadership style continuum. Hersey-Blanchard model of leadership has identified four style of leadership which are telling (directing), selling (coaching), participating (supporting), and delegating (Onoyase, 1992). Another dimension which has further been added is maturity level of subordinates which looks at emotional stability and the ability to deal with the difficult issues which the group is facing. The four different maturity levels which have been identified are: M1 = Low readiness level M2 = Moderate readiness level M3 = High readiness level, and M4 = Very high readiness level The effectiveness of the leadership style depends on the ability of leaders to match their maturity continuum with the leadership style so that effective functioning becomes possible and the overall dimensions provides better results to act on which is as below M1 = Low readiness level = Telling M2 = Moderate readiness level = Selling M3 = High readiness level = Participating M4 = Very high readiness level = Delegating This thereby provides the required flexibility which leaders need to stress on and thereby acts as an important medium through which the success of a leader will be determined. There exist differences between the situational model and contingency model of leadership. According to Syque (2007) situational leaders focuses on the different behaviour which leaders need to adopt and is decided based on the behaviour of followers whereas contingency theory of leadership focuses on a broader perspective and includes situational ability along with capability and other factors which helps in particular situations. The different views helps to formulate the strategies which leaders need to take based on different situations through different models (Lunenburg, Fred and Oristein, Allan, 2004). This will have relevance on the working scenario as leaders based on different situation needs to look at determine the model which will thereby help to improve the manner in which working is better controlled. The different relative style will thereby help to carry out the different functioning through which overall working effectiveness will be developed. Peretomode (2012) has further stated that situational style of leadership is relatively flexible which allows the leader to move in different situations thereby helping to deal with the issues better whereas contingency model are more rigid and look to act as a dictator as it looks to direct employees under changing business situations. The different style helps organization and leaders to find out the mechanism which will be most beneficial for leaders which they can use so that overall framework changes (Fiedler, Fred, Chemers, Martin, 2006). Using a flexible or rigid framework of leadership ensures different working mechanism and thereby helps to bring about the required changes through which different business decisions are taken. In addition to it Fiedler’s contingency leadership model is based on the assumption that it is difficult to make changes in the leadership style whereas Hersey-Blanchard situational leadership model states that leaders are able to adjust their style which thereby helps to achieve the different objectives. This thereby indicates the ability and readiness of leaders to adjust based on different situation which thereby helps to achieve the task which has been identified. Both the models thereby lays emphasis on different task and relationship behaviour (Hersey & Blanchard, 1969). Both the different style of leadership thereby focuses on different core areas which help to understand the important core areas which need to be focused on. The opposing views helps to develop and identify the important fundamental through which organizations are able to identify the leadership model which will help to improve their functioning and will direct the different dimensions through which better results and tasks will be accomplished (Peretomode, 1991). The opposing views further helps to multiply the overall mechanism as it shapes the manner in which different leadership styles work in different situations. Managers using the situational model of leadership need to implement the alternative leadership style which is needed so that better functioning becomes possible. Understanding the level of maturity with regard to the readiness to carry out the work, so that the style which is adopted will help to ensure better accomplishment of task. Hersey and Blanchard states that leaders need to adjust to the different situations so that different situation are better understood and based on it the required results are achieved (Stewart & Gapp, 2011). Using the correct style will help to provide the useful flexibility through which the working mechanism will improve and will provide an opportunity through which better decisions will be taken. The different categories of leadership helps to identify the dimension which needs to be used based on different situations. Both the contingency and situational model of leadership looks to work on different dimensions and areas through which leaders are better prepared to deal with the different situation (Fiedler, 1976). Adopting the model and style which helps to reap positive results need to be adopted based on the required fundamentals so that the decisions which are taken provides flexibility and helps to accomplish the different task in the most beneficial manner. This will also ensure that opposing leadership styles provides with an opportunity where better work will be ensured and the manner in which different decisions are taken will be better (Egwuyenga, 2002). Having opposing views and style of leadership ensures that a framework through which better styles can be undertaken is improved. Different leadership style provides an opportunity through which organizations based on different situations and need, can look to select the style of leadership which will fetch them the best reward. This will help to ensure that the different resources are used effectively and will provide a directive through which overall functioning will improve (Hoy, Wayne & Miskel, 2005). The overall framework will thereby help to ensure that business decisions will be better as opposing views helps to provide an opportunity to counter check the leadership style which will thereby help to check the manner in which different functioning has been carried out. The process would lead towards multiplying the effectiveness of decision making and would provide the required flexibility through which leaders will be able to select the different leadership style based on different situation and needs. The paper thereby brings forward the different theories of leadership which includes situational theory and contingency theory of leadership. Both the views are contrasting and different from each other as they bring forward the different leadership style through which functioning of organizations can be carried out. Having different contrasting views provides an option for organization to determine the strategies which they need to look forward for their organization and based on it helps to ensure that better functioning is governed. This thereby shows that the mechanism will help to determine the manner through which better leaders will be identify the different aspect which they need to consider so that the overall function can be determined. 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