Lead And LeaderShip
 
 

Leadership

1. Concept 

2. Nature 

3. Importance 

4. Attributes of a leader 

5. Developing leaders across the organisation 

6. Leadership Grid / Managerial Grid

 

Activities of a Successful and Effective leader

 

Leadership: ‘The ability to influence the behaviour of others, in a particular direction.

 

Essentials of Leadership:

  1. Leader
  2. Group being led
  3. Situation – environment – contingencies – crisis
  4. Leader’s assumptions about subordinates
  5. Leader’s abilities, skills, knowledge, competencies etc.
  6. Leader’s actual behaviour while interacting with subordinates
  7. The influence on the subordinates in the form of result, productivity, motivation, action,
  8. The quality of impact – long lasting, holistic, perpetual, multiplying,

 

Skills and Techniques:

  1. Cultural flexibility
  2. Communication skills
  3. HRM and HRD Skills
  4. Creativity
  5. Self mgt. – learning and unlearning
  6. Managing time, stress, conflicts
  7. Managing individual decisions
  8. Problems – recognize, define, solve
  9. Motivating and influencing others
  10. Delegation– Team building – empowering

 

Techniques: 1) Training 2) Job design 3) Behavioural Mgt.

 

Leadership Styles: ‘the behaviour the leader exhibits during supervision of subordinates’

 

Styles are affected by:

1.      Authority: retained by the leader

2.      Task: emphasis placed upon it - challenges

3.      People: emphasis placed upon it – assumptions about people

4.      Resources:

5.       Constrains :

6.      Entrepreneurial Leadership Style

 

 

                                     

 

The 7 Leadership Grid Styles

 

The Leadership Grid / The Management Grid [A network of horizontal and vertical lines that provide coordinates for locating points on an image]

Developed by founders Drs. Robert R. Blake and Jane S. Mouton, The Leadership Grid is a very simple framework that elegantly defines 7 basic styles that characterize workplace behavior and the resulting relationships. They suggest that most effective leadership is characterized by the combination of high concern for production with high concern for people. They focused on production / relationship orientations, uncovered in the Ohio State and Michigan University studies. 

The grid consists of two behavioral dimensions:

  1. Concern for production
  2. Concern for people.

The Leadership Grid/Managerial Grid

The Seven Managerial Grid Styles:

9,1 Controlling – Direct and Dominate – Authority-Compliance: I expect results and take control by clearly stating a course of action. I enforce rules that sustain high results and do not permit deviation.” Managers in this position have great concern for production and little concern for people.  They desire tight control in order to get tasks done efficiently.  They consider creativity and human relations to be unnecessary.

 

1,9, Accommodating – Yield & Comply – Country Club Management: I support results that establish and reinforce harmony. I generate enthusiasm by focusing on positive and pleasing aspects of work.” Managers in this position have great concern for people and little concern for production.  They try to avoid conflicts and concentrate on being well liked.  To them the task is less important than good interpersonal relations.  Their goal is to keep people happy.  (This is a soft Theory X approach and not a sound human relations approach.)

5, 5, Status Quo – Balance & Compromise – “I endorse results that are popular but caution against taking unnecessary risk. I test my opinions with others involved to assure ongoing acceptability.” ‘Organisation - Man Management.’  Often termed as ‘middle-of-the-road’ leadership. Leaders in this position have medium concern for people and production.  They attempt to balance their concern for both people and production, but they are not committed.

 

1, 1 Indifferent – Evade & Elude Impoverished Management: “I distance myself from taking active responsibility for results to avoid getting entangled in problems. If forced, I take a passive or supportive position.” Often referred to as ‘Laissez-faire leadership’.  Leaders in this position have little concern for people or productivity, avoid taking sides, and stay out of conflicts.  They do just enough to get by.

9, 9 – Sound – Contribute & Commit –“I initiate team action in a way that invites involvement and commitment. I explore all facts and alternative views to reach a shared understanding of the best solution.” ‘Team Management’.  This style of leadership is considered to be ideal.  Such managers have great concern for both people and production.  They work to motivate employees to reach their highest levels of accomplishment.  They are flexible and responsive to change, and they understand the need to change.

9+9 - PATPaternalistic Prescribe & Guide “father knows best” management.  –“I provide leadership by defining initiatives for myself and others. I offer praise and appreciation for support, and discourage challenges to my thinking.” A style in which reward is promised for compliance and punishment threatened for non-compliance

OPP – Opportunistic – Exploit & Manipulate –“I persuade others to support results that offer me private benefit. If they also benefit, that’s even better in gaining support. I rely on whatever approach is needed to secure an advantage.” “what’s in it for me” management.  In which the style utilised depends on which style the leader feels will return him/her the greatest self-benefit.

 

The leadership Grid
Grid Relationship Skills

The Grid theory translates into practical use through Grid style relationship skills that people experience day in and day out when they work together. These relationship skills depict the typical and vital behaviors for each style that make relationships effective or ineffective. Some behaviors strengthen and motivate teams while others obstruct progress.


Grid theory makes behaviors as tangible and objective as any other corporate commodity. By studying each of the seven Leadership Grid styles and the resulting relationship skill behaviors, teams can examine, in objective terms, how behaviors help or hurt them. They can explore types of critique [A serious examination and judgment of something] that work best for them and why. They can openly discuss how to improve decision-making and conflict resolution skills. These and other subjects usually considered "off limits" in terms of productivity are the very subjects that usually impede productivity. The Grid approach makes these subjects not only "discussable" but measurable in objective terms that generate empathy, motivation to improve, and creativity.

 

  1. Critique - Learning from experience by anticipating and examining how behavior and actions affect results
  2. Initiative - Taking action to exercise shared effort, drive, and support for specific activities
  3. Inquiry - Questioning, seeking information, and testing for understanding
  4. Advocacy - Expressing attitudes, opinions, ideas, and convictions
  5. Decision-Making - Evaluating resources, criteria, and consequences to reach a decision
  6. Conflict Resolution - Confronting and working through disagreements with others toward resolution
  7. Resilience - Reacting to problems, setbacks, and failure, and understanding how these factors influence the ability to move forward

What are the actions and attributes of a leader - What is it that makes him different from others.

1.         A leader is quick to praise and encourage the smallest amount of improvement.

2.          

3.         A leader learns to use the phrases "thank you" and "please" on his way to the top.

4.         A leader is a person of honesty and integrity.

5.         A leader makes others better. A leader is genuinely interested in others.

6.         A leader looks for opportunities to find someone doing something right.

7.         A leader is always growing. A leader takes others up with him.

8.         A leader is not afraid of confrontation.

9.         A leader acknowledges his own mistakes, own his failures before talking about someone else's - before others discover and reveal them.

10.     A leader has a good name

11.     A leader never allows murmuring—from him or others.

12.     A leader is possessed with his dreams.

13.     A leader launches forth before success is certain. [The act of propelling with force]

14.     A leader is specific in what he expects.

15.     A leader holds accountable those who work with him.

16.     A leader does what is right rather than what is popular.

17.     A leader is a servant.

What makes a great leader? There are many qualities and characteristics of great leaders and certain ones are found in every leader.

1. Great leaders have made the decision to be a great leader. They are determined and committed to be great leaders. They have declared themselves as leaders and written down "I am a great leader." Even when the going gets tough they are still great leaders and they do not fledge.

2. Great leader’s help others become great leaders. They come from a position of service and they are always thinking about how they can help the other person to become a great leader as well. They offer everyone with whom they come in contact the chance to join them in becoming a great leader.

3. Great leaders learn from other great leaders. They are constantly reading books by other great leaders, as well as listening to them and reading about them. They know who the great leaders in their profession are and they stay current with what they are doing and with the knowledge that they are creating.

4. Great leaders are willing to take risks. They understand that only by taking risks will they reach new heights. Taking risks enables them to understand what other leaders experience and to help their developing leaders become comfortable taking risks as well.

5. Great leaders step outside of their comfort zone on a regular basis. They know that only by stretching themselves will they become even greater leaders. Minor leaders or non-leaders stay inside their comfort zone and are too scared to try new things. They rationalize and make excuses as to why they cannot achieve their goals.

6. Great leaders set goals. They make their goals specific, measurable and reasonable. They write down their goals and they set deadlines as to when they will be achieved. They focus on their goals with gazelle intensity and they persist at achieving them even when the going is tough.

7. Great leaders are committed for the long haul. They understand that they will not attain the level of great leadership overnight. They are constantly seeking improvement in their leadership and they are humble and willing to change. They make adjustments in their leadership when necessary. They are committed to constant and never ending improvement. They realize that there is not only one path to leadership and they are willing to experiment and put forth the time and effort necessary to find the path to leadership that will work best for them.

Does leadership have an effect on project success? Is there a difference between management and leadership? Can leadership be learned?

The answer to all these questions is yes.

Six essential attributes of leadership: This is not a complete list, but one that provides a good jump start to successful project leadership.

1. Lateral Thinking

The first essential attribute, lateral thinking, represents a variety of methods to get the team out of their usual way of thinking. In essence, lateral thinking breaks down the instilled and predetermined patterns often employed when working on a problem. Through lateral thinking, project managers try different perceptions, concepts, and points of entry. They consider multiple possibilities and approaches instead of a single approach. The variety of perspectives used in lateral thinking allows us to solve difficult project challenges more successfully.

2. Empowerment

Often, there is little recognition given to people who spend time solving elementary problems. These problems could plant the seed for bigger, more complex problems. Employees develop the habit of ignoring an issue until it becomes unmanageable. Often, leaders seek to go on record for being a problem solver. Empowered project teams counter this attitude. They focus on getting the job done while solving or preventing problems while the problems are still emerging.

The ultimate paradox of project leadership power is that, to be an effective leader, project managers must develop all team members into leaders. In this way, processes empowerment becomes important. Successful leaders are able to motivate, energize, and empower others. When people are excited and empowered, it affects both their task initiation and task persistence. In other words, empowered people get more involved, take on more difficult situations, and act more confidently.

3. Active Optimism

Leaders are optimistic. They think positively. Positive thinking is more than just avoiding negative emotions. It translates into actions that are forward thinking and involved. When negative events happen, excellent project leaders focus on the positive aspects of the event. They look at a problem as an opportunity for learning and team development for the team and for themselves.

4. Determination to Improve

On-going self-assessment and self-evaluation are critical exercises for ensuring that the project is meeting its objectives and generating a positive impact. A strong determination to constantly improve is simple idea. Leaders focus on challenging themselves and project team members. Further, it sets on-going self-evaluation and achievement into motion. In turn, this focus on continuous process improvement reaps results.

5. Encouragement of delegation

Delegation is one of the most important roles of a leader’s job. His primary job isn’t to execute but rather to motivate and accomplish tasks through his project team members. Delegation of tasks and authority means less time spent on fighting fires and correcting errors and more time on vision development, motivation, project change control, and goal setting.
Delegating relieves time-pressures. It provides the team members with an opportunity to expand their decision making and problem solving skills and encourages creativity and initiative- motivating them to achieve their potential. In addition, delegation forces the leader to spend time with his team members, thus developing interpersonal relationships. The feedback and attention will encourage the team to attain higher levels of responsibility. Delegation helps set performance standards based on team member rather than purely on their activity. As a leader who encourages delegation, will be able to step back and look at the bigger picture rather than being caught up in the minutia of the project.

6. Real potential

To meet future challenges, leaders must be inspired by real potential and strategies for the future. Only then can they set a vision with reasonable goals and promote the process of developing effective strategies to achieve them. Considering the organizations potential and future enables leaders to think constructively about what could be and what would be necessary to achieving a vision. Proactive and realistic future-oriented thinking can lead to greater project success. For leaders, a successful future requires real planning now.

In summary, a successful project leader is one who considers:

Lateral thinking
Empowerment
Active optimism
Determination to Improve
Encouragement of delegation
Real potential

Interest in leadership development is strong. Nonetheless, there is conceptual confusion regarding distinctions between leader and leadership development, as well as disconnection between the practice of leadership development and its scientific foundation. The present review examines the field of leadership development through three contextual lenses:

(1) Understanding the difference between leader development and leadership development (conceptual context)

(2) Reviewing how state-of-the-art development is being conducted in the context of ongoing organizational work (practice context); and

(3) Summarizing previous research that has implications for leadership development (research context).

The overall purpose is to bridge the practice and science of leadership development by showing the importance of building both human and social capital in organizations. Specific practices that are reviewed include 360-degree feedback and executive coaching, mentoring and networking, and job assignments and action learning. Practices and research are framed in terms of a general need to link leader development, which is primarily based on enhancing human capital, with leadership development that emphasizes the creation of social capital in organizations.

 

I.             Leadership style based on authority retained:

 

1.      Authoritarian/Autocratic Style: decides, directs, controls

2.      Participative/Consultative/Consensual/Democratic Style:

3.      Free-reins/Laissez-fair Style: absence of leadership

 

II. Leadership style based on assumption Task versus People emphasis:

  1. High Task and Low Relationships
  2. High Task and High Relationships
  3. Low Task and High Relationships
  4. Low Task and Low Relationships
  5. Moderate Task and moderate Relationship

 

III. Leadership style based on assumption about People

 

McGregor’s – Theory X and Theory Y

 

IV. Entrepreneurship Leader Style:

Entrepreneur is a person who converts an innovative idea into business.

  1. Trait Theory
  2. Great Person Theory
  3. Charismatic Leadership Theory

 

Luthans –empirical study – real managers are successful and effective –

Success defined in terms of speed of promotion within an organisation, and their tenure,

Within 5 yrs *  4th level  >20 yrs at 3rd level   

  1. Communication – exchanging 1/3 of the time/efforts – 5/15
  2. Traditional Mgt. Functions 1/3 of the Time/efforts – 5/15
  3. HRM 1/15 of the Time/efforts                                   - 1/15                                      
  4. Networking 4/15 of the Time/efforts                         - 4/15

 

Networking biggest contributor ---------- HRM least contributor to success

 

Effective Managers – defined in terms of

  1. Getting quality and quantity standard performance
  2. Peoples’ satisfaction and commitment

Communication and HRM most imp. ------ Networking least imp.

 

Limitations of the study

  1. Definition of successful and effectiveness
  2. Generalization of findings
  3. ‘Why’ of the act – over looked/not covered

Implications:

  1. Attention to formal Reward System: effective motivation – promotion linked performance
  2. Cultural values developed – respect, rewards, support – effective performance and investment in HRD
  3. Inputs human oriented leadership skills

Leadership Theories: classified as

 

1.      Leader based

2.      Group being lead

3.      Situation

4.      Path-goal theory

1. Leader

Great Person Theory: Leaders are born…can be developed… need job related skills

 

3.      Group Exchange theories:

ü  Leaders provide more benefits/rewards than burden/costs for followers – i.e. there is a + ve exchange / value addition – from the leadership

ü  Followers too have impact on Leaders

ü  Leaders lead / treat individual subordinates differently – a pair of 2 units should be considered for study – [L+S] – as the interaction affects the relationship and the behavour of both – e.g. if the subordinate is more committed, Leader would share more information, resources etc.

ü  Leaders develop in-group / out-group

ü  The Vertical Dyad Linkage model [VDL]

ü  Leader member Exchange [LMX]  

 


Fred Fiedler’s Contingency Model:

Line Callout 1 (No Border): Task Directed  Leadership
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                            I                       I                       I                       I

                                                            1                       2                      3                      4

Favorableness of the Situation: - 1.V. Unfavorable. 2. Unfavorable. 3. Favorable

4 V. Favorable

                       

Leadership effectiveness depends upon:

  1. Leadership style – relationship with the followers
  2. Degree of task structure – how well it is spelled out
  3. Favorableness / un-favorableness of situation
  4. Leadership position, power, formal authority

e.g. if very favorable situation - position, power, formal authority – all 3 high

            if very Unfavourable situation – all 3 low

             if charismatic Leadership style – task oriented, hard nose – type of leader would    

               be most effective.

            If moderately favourable – HR lenient type would be most effective

 

Because: power, resources, well-structured tasks, motivates people and they are willing, ready, expect to be directed, participation expected

e.g. airlines captain, 

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Developing leaders: companies can develop deep, enduring bench strength by...

Succession planning: Consider the succession woes / misery at these well-known companies:

n    The recent tragic death and swift replacement of McDonald's Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Jim Catalupo has been cited as an event that "could become a textbook case on solid succession planning" by Carol Hymowitz and Joann S. Lubin, writing in The Wall Street Journal. Just hours after Catalupo's demise, directors announced that Charlie Bell, the president and chief operating officer, would take over as CEO. Few companies are as prepared--not only for such an unexpected change-in-command, but even for one given more lead time. Much has to do with proper advance preparation and planning.

n  M. Douglas Ivester, The Coca-Cola Co.'s longtime CFO and second-in-command to CEO Roberto Goizueta, served only two-and-a-half years as CEO following Goizueta's death, when he was forced to resign due largely to a perceived insensitivity in dealing with people and external relations. Coca-Cola recently named a retired executive, E. Neville Isdell, as its new CEO after electing to replace chairman and CEO Douglas Daft.

n   Mattel Inc.'s Jill Barad had an impressive track record in marketing that catapulted her into the top job--but didn't give her insight into the financial and strategic aspects of running this large global corporation.

n   The Walt Disney Co.'s board of directors and shareholders are currently expressing concern that their once "golden-boy" CEO, Michael Eisner, has stayed too long at the helm and has largely failed to develop adequate bench strength for succession.

These talented leaders failed, in part, because although each was accomplished in at least one management area, none had mastered more general competencies such as designing and managing acquisitions, building consensus, public relations or supporting multiple constituencies. And, they are not alone. The problem is not just that the shoes of the former chief are too big, but that leadership development and succession planning, as traditionally conceived and executed--when it is in process--is often too narrow and hidebound to uncover and correct skill gaps that can derail even the most promising young executives.

While companies maintain meticulous lists of potential successors who could step into the shoes of a key executive, an alarming number of newly appointed leaders fail spectacularly by using skills and perspectives that were ideal for their old jobs but not appropriate for their new assignment. These are but a few of the leadership succession issues facing today's organizations.

Certain companies do succeed in developing deep and enduring bench strength by approaching development and succession planning as more than the mechanical process of updating a list or sending managers off to a university short course. They combine succession planning and leadership development--to create a long-term process for managing the talent roster across their organizations. These two practices often reside in separate functional towers, but they are natural allies because they share a vital and fundamental goal: getting the right skills in the right place. Succession management should be part of a flexible system oriented toward developmental activities, not a rigid list of high-potential employees and the slots they might fill.

Developing for the Future

Leadership development could be an educational system that can help managers develop skills, best-practice etc. Firms focus their developmental activities on the skills needed for success in the future rather than those that have worked in the past. They often tie developmental activities to change in strategy so that the educational/developmental activities are part of implementing strategy.

This broad perspective on development might have helped Coca-Cola and Mattel. Ivester was given the top job at Coca-Cola largely as a reward for his financial savvy and years of loyalty to Goizueta and the company, but not enough attention was paid to how his particular skills might apply to the broader role. And, while Barad had grown Mattel's Barbie brand nearly tenfold in less than a decade, her controlling management style and lack of experience in finance, strategy and her handling of Wall Street--essential capabilities for any CEO--proved to be her downfall. Early intervention might have exposed her limitations and provided an opportunity to develop these skills, and would, perhaps, have kept her career on track. Robert Eckert, who followed Barad as CEO at Mattel, now links succession directly to development efforts.

And, it's not just about training. Leadership development, as traditionally practiced, focuses on one-off educational events. But research at both the Center for Creative Leadership and Duke Corporate Education has found that, after their educational experiences, participants typically are energized and enthusiastic, only to be stifled by the reality of corporate life when they get back on the job.

It's far more effective to pair classroom training with real-life exposure to a variety of jobs and bosses, such as using techniques like job rotation, special assignments, including establishing a regional office in a new country, and "action learning," which pulls together a group of high-potential employees to study and make recommendations on a pressing topic, such as whether to enter a new geographical area or experiment with a new business model.

By using their high potential managers in solving an important business challenge, firms can reduce the need for bringing in traditional management consultants and can embed the broad view and problem-solving expertise in the firm rather than helping educate the consultant's MBAs, who go on to apply that experience with other clients.

Eli Lilly and Co. has a bi-annual action-learning program that brings together potential leaders, selected by line managers and the human resources department, to focus on a strategic business issue chosen by the CEO. Eighteen employees identified as having at least executive-director potential, representing a mix of functions and regions, participate in a six-week session in which they meet with subject matter experts, best-practice organizations, customers and thought leaders, then analyze what they've learned.

In 2000, one such team was charged with developing an e-business strategy as a new avenue of growth--an issue that was a pressing concern at the time. The group interviewed more than 150 people over five weeks, and in the final week developed a set of recommendations to present to senior managers, who took their ideas quite seriously. For example, the group recommended naming an e-executive and providing a certain level of funding to the initiative. Without hesitation, the CEO responded: "We will appoint an e-executive within two weeks, and he or she will report to me ... appropriate funding will be made available," he said, and he followed through on those promises.

Recently, Saudi Armco's CEO Abdallah S. Jum'ah asked a group of 20 high-potential executives to help gain better corporate-wide alignment around the firm's strategy imperatives. After a five-day educational session, where experienced consultants provided input about other transformation efforts and coaching on leading change, the participates worked over a two-month period to interview 15 senior executives, collect survey data from 868 other managers and review best practices in eight global firms before coming back together for another four days to polish their recommendations and presentations to three of the firm's top executives.

Several of their recommendations were approved immediately, and further analysis is being conducted on others. More importantly, their efforts have created a much greater awareness of and alignment behind the strategic directions of the firm.

Action-learning programs such as these serve a dual purpose: they provide developmental experiences for employees--who are forced to look beyond functional silos to solve major strategic problems and thus learn something of what it takes to be a general manager; and they result in a useful work product for the company. Such programs have increased in importance because many companies--in downsizing and creating economies of scale--have eliminated a number of the roles that used to be prime training grounds for top management.

At one time, The Dow Chemical Co. had 60 country managers. These roles served as excellent opportunities for developing general management skills. When the company consolidated into 30 global businesses, Dow gained important economies of scale, but reduced the number of developmental opportunities by half.

One way to provide general management experience in this environment is to launch small joint ventures or internal enterprises. Managers can also make lateral moves across functions and business units. For example, one of Dow's global business-unit heads served as president of operations in the Asia-Pacific region to gain a cross-functional perspective. And a future leader in the research organization was named vice president for purchasing to broaden her expertise.

Opportunities like these should be incorporated into individuals' development plans. Lilly's Group Development Review (GDR) is a periodic, in-depth review of the 500 highest-potential individuals, involving input from past and present supervisors. In a facilitated 90-minute discussion, the group identifies the next steps the employee should take, gathering input from others in the organization, if necessary. The immediate supervisor then shares a summary of the results with the employee, who, with the supervisor, is responsible for incorporating the feedback into his or her development plan.

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SYMLOG and The Leadership Grid            - verview of The Leadership Grid®

How the Leadership Grid Relates to SYMLOG Field Theory

Although the theory underlying the grid takes the study of leadership beyond mere trait analysis to the examination of behaviors, it is still more limited than SYMLOG field theory. The basic two-dimensional model proposed by Blake and Mouton (as well as those offered by many other leadership theorists) fails to account for myriad / countless organizational settings, situations, and leadership orientations. The two primary dimensions are measured only in a positive direction, such that there is no ‘polar opposite’ of either. Note that the Leadership Grid, when transposed to the SYMLOG space (as shown in the accompanying figure), explains only behaviors associated with the PF quadrant.

An analysis conducted by A. Paul Hare shows that the five key leadership styles in the grid may be linked with SYMLOG vectors as shown in the following table:

Table: Leadership Styles and Associated SYMLOG Vectors

Styles of Leadership Behavior        SYMLOG Vector(s)

 

Team Management (9, 9) UPF: Work accomplishment is from committed people; interdependence through a "common stake" in organization purpose leads to relationships of trust and respect.           

 

Middle of the Road Management (5, 5) P, PF, DPF, Ave: Adequate organization performance is possible through balancing the necessity to get out work with maintaining morale of people at a satisfactory level.

 

Authority-Compliance (9, 1) U, UF, UNF, UN, F: Efficiency in operations results from arranging conditions of work in such a way that human elements interfere to a minimum degree.

 

Country Club Management (1, 9)   UP, UPB, DP, DPB: Thoughtful attention to the needs of people for satisfying relationships leads to a comfortable, friendly organization atmosphere and work tempo.          

 

Impoverished Management (1, 1) N, DF, DNF, DN, DNB, DB, D: Exertion of minimum effort to get required work done is appropriate to sustain organization membership.        

                                                    Plot of Leadership Grid® (Blake and Mouton) in SYMLOG Space
Heuristic Plot in SYMLOG Space of - Leadership Grid® (Blake and Mouton)
Selected References

Blake, R. R., & A. A. McCanse. (1991). Leadership dilemmas-Grid solutions .Houston: Gulf.

Blake, R. R., & J. S. Mouton. (1964). The managerial grid. Houston: Gulf.

Blake, R. R., Mouton, J. S., & A. A. McCanse. (1989). Change by design. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Hare, A. P. (1992). Groups, teams, and social interaction .New York: Praeger.

 

What is the Best Management Style? Main / CEO Perspectives      

A micro manager: get into people's business; tell them what to do and when to do it.

A laissez-faire manager: not talking to people for weeks and trusting that things will get done right and on time.

A hands-on manager / not a micro-manager:  

Leader should not have one management style.’

Every individual has different levels of skills and motivation and therefore require different management styles to perform at their optimum. Everyone being led must be scored in two dimensions:

1) Skill-set for the task at hand and

2) Motivation to complete the task. 

Similarly, management style must vary in two dimensions:

1) Amount of direction given on how to complete the task and

2) Amount of time spent engaged with the individual throughout the work. 

Graphically everyone could be placed on a grid like this:

CT_Leadership Grid 1.JPG

Then, find the corresponding management style on a grid like this:

The final nuance to this simple model is to understand that, always reevaluate where the workforce lies on the grid because as people take on new responsibilities, their skill-set changes--and as life inside and outside work takes on new challenges, motivation levels change as well.  So even for a given individual, constant re-evaluation is needed by the leadership.

Leadership Styles and Behaviours

A different perspective to trait theory for leadership is to consider what leaders actually do as opposed to their underlying characteristics.  A number of models and theories have been put forward to explore this.

 

T. McGregor (1906-1964) postulated that managers tend to make two different assumptions about human nature.  These views he explored in his theory X and theory Y:

 

 

Theory X

1.  The average human being has an inherent dislike of work and will avoid it if he or she can.

2.  Because of this human characteristic, most people must be coerced, controlled, directed, and threatened with punishment to get them to put forth adequate effort toward the achievement of organisational objectives.

3.  The average human being prefers to be directed, wishes to avoid responsibility, has relatively little ambition, and wants security above all.

Theory Y

1.  The expenditure of physical and mental effort in work is as natural as play or rest.

2.  External control and threat of punishment are not the only means for brining about effort toward organisational objectives.  People will exercise self-direction and self-control in the service of objectives to which they are committed.

3.  Commitment to objectives is a function of the rewards associated with their achievement.

4.  The average human being learns, under proper conditions, not only to accept responsibility but to seek it.

5.  The capacity to exercise a relatively high degree of imagination. Ingenuity, and creativity in the solution of organisational problems is widely, not narrowly, distributed I the population.

6.  Under the conditions of modern industrial life, the intellectual potentialities of the average human being are only partially utilized.

 

Ohio State University Research

 

Other studies were carried out to identify successful leadership behaviours, including studies at Ohio State University and Michigan University, following on from this research two studies of particular note were by Gary M. Yukl and by Robert Blake and Jane Mounton.

 

A series of studies at the University indicated that two behavioural dimensions play a significant role in successful leadership.  Those dimensions are:

Consideration – (friendship, mutual trust, respect and warmth)

Initiating Structure – (organises and defines relationships or roles, establishes well-defined patterns of organisation, channels of communication, and ways of getting jobs done.)

University of Michigan Research 

Studies carried at the university revealed two similar aspects of leadership style that correlate with effectiveness:

Employee Orientation – (the human-relations aspect, in which employees are viewed as human beings with individual, personal needs)

Production Orientation – (Stress on production and the technical aspects of the job, with employees viewed as the means of getting the work done.

 

Gary M. Yukl felt that there was a void in existing descriptions of leader behaviour.  They did not provide specific guidelines for behaviour in varying situations.  He and his colleagues isolated eleven leadership behaviours which fall into four broad categories:

 Building Relationships

1.  Networking

2.  Supporting

3. Managing conflict

Influencing People

4. Motivating

5. Recognising and rewarding

Making Decisions

6. Planning and organising

7. Problem solving

8.  Consulting and delegating

Giving / Seeking Information

9. Monitoring operations and environment

10.Informing

11. Clarifying roles

 

Contingency Approaches

Contingency theories propose that for any given situation there is a best way to manage.  Contingency theories go beyond situational approaches, which observe that all factors must be considered when leadership decisions are to be made. Contingency theories attempt to isolate the key factors that must be considered and to indicate how to manage when those key factors are present. 

 

The continuum of Leadership Behaviour

The model put forward by Robert Tannenbaum and Warren H. Schmidt framed leadership in terms of choices managers may make regarding subordinates’ participation in decision making.

 

The continuum of leadership behaviour

 

The actions shown at the left side of the continuum are relatively authoritarian; those at the right side are relatively participative.  The manager’s choices depend on three factors:

 

1. Forces in the manager: The manager’s value system, confidence in subordinates, leadership inclinations, and feelings of security in an uncertain situation.

2. Forces in the subordinate: Expectations, need for independence, readiness to assume decision-making responsibility, tolerance for ambiguity in task definition, interest in the problem, ability to understand and identify with the goals of the organisation, and knowledge and experience to deal with the problem.

3. Forces in the situation:  Type of organisation, effectiveness of the group, the problem itself (the task), and time pressure.

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From: MahaEngineers <tupepradeep@gmail.com>

To: YGPMA <AIMA-PMA@yahoogroups.com>                                                            

Subject: [PuneManagement] Blanchard and Hersey Model of Leadership                

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:45:33 IST                                                                                 

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The Blanchard and Hersey Model as a leadership model, the best known example was developed by Ken Blanchard, the management guru who later became famous for his "One Minute Manager" series, and Paul Hersey. They created a model of situational leadership in the late 1960s that allows one to analyse the needs of the situation, then adopt the most appropriate leadership style. It has proved popular with managers over the years because it is simple to understand, and it works in most environments for most people.

The model rests on two fundamental concepts; leadership style, and development level.
Leadership styles Blanchard and Hersey characterised leadership style in terms of the amount of direction and support that the leader provides to his or her followers. They categorized all leadership styles into four behavior types, which they named S1 to S4:

S1: Directing Leaders define the roles and tasks of the 'follower', and supervise them closely. Decisions are made by the leader and announced, so communication is largely one-way.

S2: Coaching Leaders still define roles and tasks, but seeks ideas and suggestions from the follower. Decisions remain the leader's prerogative, but communication is much more two-way.

S3: Supporting Leaders pass day-to-day decisions, such as task allocation and processes, to the follower. The leader facilitates and takes part in decisions, but control is with the follower.

S4: Delegating Leaders are still involved in decisions and problem-solving, but control is with the follower. The follower decides when and how the leader will be involved.
Of these, no one style is considered optimal or desired for all leaders to possess. Effective leaders need to be flexible, and must adapt themselves according to the situation. However, each leader tends to have a natural style, and in applying Situational Leadership she must know her intrinsic style.
Development levels The right leadership style will depend on the person being led - the follower. Blanchard and Hersey extended their model to include the Development Level of the follower. They stated that the leader's chosen style should be based on the competence and commitment of her followers. They categorized the possible development of followers into four levels, which they named D1 to D4:

D1: Low Competence, High Commitment - They generally lack the specific skills required for the job in hand, However, they are eager to learn and willing to take direction.

D2: Some Competence, Low Commitment - They may have some relevant skills, but won't be able to do the job without help. The task or the situation may be new to them.

D3: High Competence, Variable Commitment - They are experienced and capable, but may lack the confidence to go it alone, or the motivation to do it well or quickly.

D4: High Competence, High Commitment - They are experienced at the job, and comfortable with their own ability to do it well. They may even be more skilled than the leader.
Development Levels are also situational. I might be generally skilled, confident and motivated in my job, but would still drop into Level D1 when faced, say, with a task requiring skills I don't possess. For example, many managers are D4 when dealing with the day-to-day running of their department, but move to D1 or D2 when dealing with a sensitive employee issue.
Leadership/development matching Blanchard and Hersey said that the leadership style (S1 - S4) of the leader must correspond to the development level (D1 - D4) of the follower. Furthermore it is the leader who must adapt, not the follower. To get the most of situational leadership, a leader should be trained in how to operate effectively in various leadership styles, and how to determine the development level of others.