explain how your use of each path-goal style relates to other styles of leadership. course hero

by Adolf Jakubowski III 5 min read

What is the path goal theory of leadership?

Path-Goal Theory of Leadership. The Path-Goal Theory of Leadership is a model which proposes that a leader should change their leadership style depending on their situation. At it’s most basic, the leader will adopt a style (path) based on their situation with the aim of achieving an objective (goal).

How does path-goal theory differ from situational leadership?

The Path-Goal theory differs from Situational Leadership by stating that you should adapt your style based on the motivational needs of your team. » It provides a framework for leaders to understand how their style influences the motivation of their subordinates. » It’s unique in that it links motivational theory to leadership.

What is the path-goal theory?

According to Path-Goal theory, at any given time for a particular situation, one or more of these styles will be the one that most motivates a subordinate. That is, under certain circumstances, it may be best to use more than one of these styles at the same time.

What style should the leader choose?

What style should the leader choose depends on two of the situational variables identified by the theory; Subordinates’ characteristics and Path-Goal Theory: Environmental characteristics of the workplace.

What are the path-goal leadership styles?

There are four leadership styles that the path-goal theory uses to help employees grow. They are achievement-oriented leadership, directive leadership, participative leadership, and supportive leadership .

What is the importance of path-goal theory of leadership?

Path–goal theory suggests that it is important for leaders to provide coaching, guidance, and direction for followers, to help followers define and clarify goals, and to help followers around obstacles as they attempt to reach their goals.

Is path-goal theory a leadership style?

Path-Goal Theory is a leadership approach where the leader clearly identifies goals and the path to reach them. The leader uses directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented leadership behaviors to motivate, guide, and remove obstacles, depending on the employee and environmental factors.

What model is path-goal theory?

The Path-Goal model is a theory based on specifying a leader's style or behavior that best fits the employee and work environment in order to achieve a goal (House, Mitchell, 1974). The goal is to increase your employees' motivation, empowerment, and satisfaction so they become productive members of the organization.

What is path-goal leadership and how does it differ from others?

In the Path-Goal leadership, the leader consults with his subordinates before making decisions and seeks their ideas and opinions; This leads to an increase in confidence in the team. With such characteristic, the leader will be considered a 'participative leader. '

What leadership style does House suggest in path-goal theory?

Robert House believed the main role of a leader is to motivate his followers by increasing or clarifying the personal benefits of striving for and reaching the group's goal and clarifying and clearing a path to achieving the group's goals. His theory matched ways of behaving to sets of circumstances.

What are the two factors influencing the leader in the path-goal theory?

The theory proposes two factors influencing a leader's behavior: Environmental factors (for example, workplace culture, timelines and resources) Team characteristics (control, experience and perceived ability)

Which one of these leadership styles in the path GOAL model is detrimental?

Directive leadership is detrimental when employees are skilled and experienced, because it introduces too much supervisory control.

Who gave the path-goal theory of leadership?

Robert HouseIn 1971, Robert House introduced his version of a contingent theory of leadership known as the Path-Goal theory. According to House's theory, leaders' behavior is contingent upon the satisfaction, motivation, and performance of their subordinates.

Which path-goal leadership behavior does a leader who motivates followers to constantly progress represent?

Terms in this set (71) Which Path-Goal leadership behavior does a leader who motivates followers to constantly progress represent? change.

What are the advantages of motivational theory?

Advantages of the theory include: » It provides a framework for leaders to understand how their style influences the motivation of their subordinates. » It’s unique in that it links motivational theory to leadership. » It highlights that the role of leaders is to guide and help their subordinates achieve.

How does the Path Goal theory differ from the Situational Leadership theory?

The Path-Goal theory differs from Situational Leadership by stating that you should adapt your style based on the motivational needs of your team.

How well does leadership work?

How well your leadership style works will depend on your subordinates. Essentially, the effectiveness of each leadership style will be contingent on the characteristics of your subordinates (and the types of tasks they need to perform).

What do directive leaders tell their subordinates?

Directive leaders tell their subordinate precisely what they want them to, how they should do it, and the deadline for completing the task.

What is the key to understanding the environment?

The key to understanding the environment is to realize that according to Path-Goal theory leaders shouldn’t duplicate and environmental factors that are already present in the organization. So, for example, if formal authority systems are robust and rigid, then managers should avoid a directive leadership style.

Why does Bob have a lack of performance?

Upon speaking with Bob, you realize that Bob’s lack of performance is because his motivation levels are low.

What is supportive leadership?

Supportive leaders create a warm and friendly environment and show concern for their subordinate. These leaders are friendly and approachable and do their best to make work pleasant for their followers.

What is the path goal?

The term ‘path-goal’ denotes that a leader must illuminate the path to the goal and explain how to make the journey successfully to the followers .

What is the path goal theory?

Path-goal theory of leadership indicates that a leader is in charge of clarifying the subordinates about the actions and behavior; which if followed, will lead to goal attainment. This theory suggests that the various styles which can be and are used by the same leader in different situations;

Why is directive leadership important?

Directive leadership gives greater satisfaction for ambiguous or stressful tasks when they are highly structured and well laid out. However; it is likely to be perceived as redundant among employees with high ability or considerable experience.

What is a directive leader?

A directive leader lets subordinates know what is expected of them, gives guidance and direction, and schedules work according to the expectation.

What style should the leader choose?

What style should the leader choose depends on two of the situational variables identified by the theory; Subordinates’ characteristics and

What is achievement oriented leadership?

Achievement Oriented Leadership. An Achievement oriented leader sets challenging goals and expects subordinates to perform at high levels. Encouraging subordinates and showing confidence in subordinates’ abilities is necessary for him. Leaders can change their style or behavior for meeting the demand of situations.

Why does participating leadership fail?

Also if the employees’ number is large, it may slow down the decision-making system and therefore the production and performance.

Path-Goal Theory of Leadership

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Just like Expectancy Theory, Path-Goal Theory also states how to go about motivating your team to achieve their objectives. According to the theory, you should do this by: 1. Ensuring goals are clear and that desirable rewards are available. 2. Making the path to the goal clear. 3. Removing obstacles and roadbl…
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Leadership Styles

  • According to the model, there are four styles of leadership: 1. Directive 2. Supportive 3. Participative 4. Achievement-Oriented According to Path-Goal theory, at any given time for a particular situation, one or more of these styles will be the one that most motivates a subordinate. That is, under certain circumstances, it may be best to use more than one of these styles at the …
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Subordinate Characteristics

  • How well your leadership style works will depend on your subordinates. Essentially, the effectiveness of each leadership style will be contingent on the characteristics of your subordinates (and the types of tasks they need to perform). The model identifies four characteristics: 1. Need for affiliation. 2. Preference for structure. 3. Desire for control. 4. Self-pe…
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The Environment

  • There are three components to take into account when thinking about the environment. 1. Task structure 2. Formal authority systems 3. Primary work group The key to understanding the environment is to realize that according to Path-Goal theory leaders shouldn’t duplicate and environmental factors that are already present in the organization. So, for example, if formal aut…
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Bringing It All Together

  • The following diagram provides a summary of how to adjust your leadership style based on the different subordinate preferences and environmental factors you encounter.
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Difference from Situational Leadership

  • If you’re using Situational Leadership, you adjust your leadership style according to the level of development of your subordinates. The Path-Goal theory differs from Situational Leadership by stating that you should adapt your style based on the motivational needs of your team.
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Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Advantages of the theory include: 1. It provides a framework for leaders to understand how their style influences the motivation of their subordinates. 2. It’s unique in that it links motivational theory to leadership. 3. It highlights that the role of leaders is to guide and help their subordinates achieve. Disadvantages of the model include: 1. It’s very complicated to understand. 2. With so …
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Path-Goal Theory Example

  • In this example, imagine you are the manager of a small team. One of your team members, Bob, has consistently failed to hit his targets. Upon speaking with Bob, you realize that Bob’s lack of performance is because his motivation levels are low. How can you use Path-Goal theory to boost Bob’s motivation and thus his performance? Well, you can use the theory as a framework to exa…
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Summary

  • The Path-Goal Theory of Leadership is a complicated framework that reminds us that the purpose of leadership is to facilitate the success of your subordinates. The theory proposes many ways to make followers successful which you can diagnose using a checklist.
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