Inital Instructions:
Answer ONE of the following:
Question 1: What distinguishes the phases of leadership thought from ancient to modern times, and what are the differences of each of the phases?
Question 2: Relate and discuss the health reform efforts of the past decade to leadership needs at the health organization level.
Question 3: Describe the progression of leadership thought as portrayed in theories and models from the great man and trait phase, to the behavioral phase, to the situational or contingency phase.
I need a 250 word responses to two classmates posts:
1. The Great Man theory took on the approach that an individual had to have certain characteristics in order to lead effectively and efficiently. It attempted to determine specific traits that a person had to acquire in order to be successful. Some of these characteristics were centered around an individual’s race and gender. Individuals who were Anglican, male, and Caucasian were thought to be of significance importance in the Great Man theory. In other words, if you looked the part, and talked the talked, you could be seen as someone who could lead. Now education and politics did play a role as well in the Great Man theory. We can look back at history and recognize some well known names such as George Washington and Alexander the Great. The names of these individuals were used as examples when you spoke of the Great Man theory. They both were fair skinned, male, and said to be charismatic in nature. However, as time went on the “Great Man” theory lacked the ability to properly delineate leadership.
During the twentieth century the “Behavioral phase” emerged. John B. Watson, a pioneering psychologist is known as the father of the behavioral theory. It wasn’t until the behavioral phase came into play, that society began to think that leadership could be learned and nurtured. This phase was described as being “action based”. The Behavioral phase attempted to determine which behavior styles and patterns could be used. This phase differed greatly from the Great Man theory. Before the 1940`s, you could think of if it as having to be born with these traits in order to succeed in leadership. During the Behavioral phase, a person could learn or be taught how to effectively lead. As time progressed into the early 1970`s, the Contingency or Situational phase came abroad.
The Contingency phase or Situational phase determined that it would be in the best interest to select individuals that best fit the situation or by selecting a leader based on the leader’s style and strategies. Today, this phase is dominating leadership. The Contingency/ Situational phase basically indicates that there are multiples way of successfully leading. It will differ based on the aspect of the situation at hand. Leaders can only exceed in leadership positions if they have the ability to adapt and evolve to change. Leaders should also be able to change their style based on the situation. Cultural values and aspects should also be taken into consideration when leading. Every couple of years, we are seeing a shift in leadership. The needs of various organizations and the population is ever changing; therefore, the leadership methods or styles of an individual should adapt and change as well to meet the needs of their staff. Now these three particular theories did sometimes overlap. However, they can all be distinguished with certain time periods.
As we look back on the different phases aforementioned, some emotions may arise. However, we must understand the time period and the way of life when these phases took place in.
Works Cited
Led low, G. R. James H. Stephens (2018). Leadership For Health Professionals. David D. Cella and Cathy L. Expertise.
2. The earliest theories of leadership were centered around trait theories and the “great man” theory. Those who supported these theories believed that there were certain defining traits that individuals possessed that made them into leaders. A person was either born with the ability to lead or they were not; leadership was not something that could be taught. (Ledlow & Stephens, 2018). Great man theorists looked up to those men (and sometimes women) who had defining traits such as empathy, courage, respect, integrity, communication, and gratitude. (What Are the Characteristics of a Good Leader?, n.d.). This can sometimes be true. While the previously listed character traits are ones that a good leader should have, not everyone who possesses those traits will make a good leader. It takes more than personality traits to be a successful leader.
The behavioral theory became more popular during the 1940s. This focused more on the behaviors of leaders rather than their defining character traits and how the used behaviors impacted employees, friends, or followers. If subordinates reacted positively to the leadership behaviors, then that leadership style was noted as a successful one. (Ledlow & Stephens, 2018). The behavioral theory believes that leaders are made, not born. It posits that anyone can become an influential leader if he or she can learn and implement certain behaviors. (Behavioral Theory of Leadership: How to Be a Better Leader | Process Street | Checklist, Workflow and SOP Software, 2019). This theory has more footing to be accurate than the trait theory. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, a person may possess definable leadership traits, but he may not carry out those traits or use them in a way that a good leader would. For example, a leader has to be bold and brave, but if there is no understanding to counteract the boldness of the individual, it is likely that he will more often come across as abrupt and hardened when empathy or understanding is needed in a given situation. Behavioral theory posits that this bold individual can be taught to be more understanding or compassionate and be able to use those traits when the situation calls for them. Although the individual may not have an inherent ability to be soft or understanding, those learned behaviors can facilitate effective leadership.
The situational or contingency leadership theory posits that strong leaders must choose the leadership style that would be most effective for a given situation. Not every leadership style or behavior is the proper choice for every situation, given that no two situations are exactly alike. (Ledlow & Stephens, 2018). No single leadership style is best. Leaders need to adapt their leading style to each situation, and look at cues and other factors that will help to get the job done. (Why the Most Effective Leaders Know How to Adapt to the Situation, n.d.). For example, my husband leads a group of four men in an oilfield mechanic shop. All four of his subordinates have different personalities, different levels of experience, different home lives, different past experiences both in their personal and professional lives, and they all learn differently. Some of them work better under stress than others do. When they are in a hurry to meet a deadline for a customer, my husband sometimes has to approach certain individuals in a different manner than others. One may prefer a methodical approach, such as a to-do list, to get things done, while another does better when he feels the pressure of time being a sensitive matter. No two employees are exactly the same, therefore they cannot be led in the same way all of the time.
Behavioral Theory of Leadership: How to Be a Better Leader | Process Street | Checklist, Workflow and SOP Software. (2019, September 23). https://process.st/behavioral-theory-of-leadership/
Ledlow, G. R., & Stephens, J. H. (2018). Leadership for health professionals: Theory, skills, and applications (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
What Are the Characteristics of a Good Leader? (n.d.). CCL. Retrieved March 22, 2022, from
https://ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/characteristics-good-leader/
Why the Most Effective Leaders Know How to Adapt to the Situation. (n.d.). Verywell Mind.
http://verywellmind.com/what-is-the-situational-theory-of-leadership-2795321
