Chapter 6: Path-Goal Theory

supportive leadership

"consideration" behavioral construct of OH state studies and consists of being approachable and attentive to the well-being of followers - leaders go out of their way to make work pleasant; providing followers w/ confidence to succeed - treating followers as equals and respecting them for their status

Directive leadership

"initiating structure" concept of OH state studies and "telling" style in situational leadership model. Behavior is focused on directing followers in task completion adn setting clear expectations for work - providing expectating/removing ambiguity allows followers the clarity needed to focus on their jobs

1996 reformation includes 4 additional leaderhsip behaviors, expanding the total number to 8

(new) - work facilitation - group-oriented decision process - work-group representation and networking - value based leaderhsip behavior (old) - directive - supportive - participative - achievement-oriented behavior

criticisms

- complex/integrates many aspects of leadership and related contingency + confusing + daunting to incorporate + broad scope, difficult to test, no complete research available - partial empirical support + effect of leader directiveness on satisfaction ambiguous -does no account for demographic differences in leadership enacted/perceived + women more participative/directive than men + women using directive style negatively perceived if job is masculine + black and asian females perceived even more negatively - fails to explain relationship between leadership behavioor and follower motivation + does not describe elicit motivation in followers of different styles + no advice on prescriptive statements - Leaders may not possess communication skills to change styles - Assumes one-way relationship; leader affects follower + may lead to follower dependence on leader when accomplishing work

What does Path-goal leadership do?

- defines goals - clarifies path - removes obstacles - provides support

4 primary leadership behaviors foundational to understanding path-goal theory

- directive leadership - supportive leadership - participative leadership - achievement-oriented leadership

preference for structure

- dogmatic and authoritarian/may have to work in uncertain situations - directive leadership, clarifies path to goal - want to know what is expected of them

Application

- few management training programs based on this - provides set of general recs based on traits of followers/tasks + suggests which behaviors to emphasize (clarifying goal beh, lending support, enhanving group decision-making processes - applicable to all orgs, levels, types of tasks -reminds leaders their central purpose to help followers define goals/reach goals efficiently

Participatice style of leadership preferred if

- followers autonomous/have strong need for control - task demands ambiguous - leader outcome: involvement in decisions/structuring of work for followers

Directive style of leadership preferred if

- followers dogmatic/authoritatian - task demands ambiguous - org rules unclear - task is complex - leader outcome: provide guidance/psychological structure

follower characteristics

- need for affiliation - preference for structure - desire for control - self-perceived level of task ability

strengths of path-goal theory

- provides understanding how leadership beh. affect followers' satisfation/work performance +first theory to specify conceptually distinct varieties of leadership -integrate motivation principles of expectancy theory into leadership + only approach to have motivation as central focus - practical + leaders clarify paths/guidance and coaching focus

achiement-oriented style of leadership preferred it

- task demands ambiguous - leader outcome: challening/setting high standards for followers to boost confidence

supportive style leadership preferred if

- task demands structures, unsatisfying, frustrating, repetitive, challenging - leader outcome: provide sense of touch for followers performing mundance, machanized activity

Emily competes with herself at work and encourages others to do the same. As she leads her sales team, she expects them to realize increases every quarter, and she is always trying to push them toward higher sales numbers. What kind of leader is Emily?

achievement-oriented

When followers are asked to complete ambiguous tasks and need to increase their confidence, they need a(n) ______ leader.

achievemnt-oriented

The principles of path-goal theory can be applied to ______ tasks.

all

The principles of path-goal theory are best applied to ______ of leadership.

all levels

external locus of control

believe chance, fate, outside forces control trajectory of their lives - directive leadership parallells feelings that outside forces control circumstances

Which is a criticism of path-goal theory?

can be confusing

When applying path-goal theory, a leader should assess the follower, assess the task, and then ______.

choose a leadership style

desire for control

described by interal/external locus of control

Evan leads his team by making sure that all of his followers clearly understand the instructions for a new design. It is important to him that there are no surprises for them, so he carefully explains why the new design is being created, how it should be done, and when it needs to be completed. Evan is which type of leader?

directive

Scaffolding tasks, repeating instructions, and asking followers to repeat instructions back to the leader are examples of which leader behavior?

directive

Which leadership style is best to implement when rules are unclear?

directive

Which leadership style works best when followers are authoritarian?

directive

Path-goal theory integrates the motivation principles of ______ theory and leadership theory.

expectancy

Which theory states that employee motivation is based on the employee's perceptions of capabilities, outcomes, and payoffs?

expectancy theory

True or false: Path-goal theory is recognized for its simplicity.

false

true or false: A strength of path-goal theory is that it is easy to incorporate its factors.

false

true or false: Path-goal theory is a popular topic for seminars and events.

false

true or false: Women and men are perceived similarly as leaders.

false

Path-goal theory includes general recommendations based on ______.

follower characteristics and tasks

self-perceived level of task ability

follower's understanding of their own abilities and competence - need for directive leaderships decreases as self-perception of ability increases

The best situation in which to utilize a supportive leadership type would include ______.

frustrating tasks

true or false: Path-goal theory does not account for ______ differences.

gender

Which is a behavior of directive leaders?

giving instructions

Path-goal theory reminds leaders that their purpose is to ______.

guide and coach

Task characteristics

impact the way a leader's behavior influences follower's motivation - design of task - formal authority system - primary work group

internal locus of control

in charge of events occuring in their own lives - participative leadership makes them feel more in charge of their work

participative leadership

inviting followers to share in decision making and integrating their suggestions into decisions about how the group/org will proceed - may increase group performance through member participation/dedication to shared group goals

How does path-goal theory fail in terms of the leader-follower relationship?

it does not fully explain motivation as a factor

According to path-goal theory, the responsibility for success and a productive work environment fall on the ______.

leader

The major components of path-goal theory are___________

leader behaviors, follower behaviors, and task characteristics

achievement-oriented leadership

leaders who challenge their followers to perform work at the highest level possible/seek continuous improvement - leaders extremely confident that followers are capable of establishing/accomplishing challenging goals that meet high standard

Path-goal theory is unique because no other leadership approach deals directly with integrating motivation principles of expectancy theory and ______ theory.

leadership

The three biggest strengths of path-goal theory are providing a useful theoretical framework, integrating ______ principles, and providing a model.

motivation

Shannon has just been appointed as team leader at a new site in a different division. Based on the principles of path-goal theory, what is the first thing Shannon should accomplish?

observing team members and jobs

Which is true of the research on validity related to path-goal theory?

partial support

The four main types of leadership within path-goal theory are directive, supportive, ______, and achievement-oriented.

participative

When followers have a strong need for control, which leadership type is best?

participative

Enhancing follower performance and satisfaction are the foundation of ______ theory.

path-goal

need for affiliation

prefer friendl/concerned leadership - supportive leadership most effective - verbal recognition/individual attention

Jake's assembly job is very routine, and he is starting to become very bored with it. In fact, his manager is realizing that he is not the only member of his team who feels that way. What type of leadership would you suggest that his manager implement to increase their motivation?

supportive

Jan is a supervisor with an "open door" policy. She is friendly to all of her followers and is the only one in the office who allows the frontline workers to call her by her first name. How would you categorize Jan's leadership type?

supportive

What leadership type is best for tasks that are structured and unsatisfying?

supportive

Which leadership type has caused doubts over its effectiveness on performance?

supportive

Which leadership type is characterized by a friendly and approachable demeanor?

supportive

Path-goal leadership offers guidance on leadership selection for ______.

task complexity

Jason is an achievement-oriented leader with extremely high standards and expectations. For which team of workers would it be best to appoint Jason as leader?

those performing ambiguous tasks

True or false: Directive behavior by women is perceived negatively in comparison to directive behavior by men.

true

true or false Path-goal theory is more comprehensive than prior contingency theories.

true

true or false: Group work environments should implement newer, revised versions of path-goal theory.

true

true or false: Leadership style has the power to affect retention.

true

true or false: Path-goal theory includes instructions on when to clarify goals.

true

true or false: Path-goal theory is a leader-centric approach.

true

true or false: Path-goal theory is more comprehensive than prior contingency theories.

true

true or false: Path-goal theory was one of the first theories to construct how characteristics and tasks of followers relate to the effectiveness of leaders on followers.

true

true or false: Path-goal theory was one of the first theories to specify conceptionally distinct varieties of leadership.

true

A participative leader could best help followers overcome ______.

uncertain tasks

The directive leadership type is best used with ______.

unclear organizational rules

Which is a strength of path-goal theory?

useful theoretical framwork