All entries for Thursday 16 February 2012

Leadership and Situational Responses.

Leadership style varies from one individual to another but all have something in common; the desire to achieve a particular goal or target, be it an authoritative, charismatic or a democratic style of leadership.

A further look into the earlier mentioned leadership styles presents me with a strong belief that the desired goal or target is mostly situational and people determined. For instance, let us consider a complex situation where one has to deliver results under a tight time constrain. Let us also add here that the leader adopts the laissez-faire style of leadership which unfortunately meets a group of laid back followers who needs to be directed on every single task. There is no gain saying that the leader in the above scenario is bound to fail.

From the foregoing, the scenario would demand a more different leadership approach probably the authoritarian style. This style seeks to harness the potentials of the followers while giving them detailed instructions on the next line of action.

In a contrasting scenario, lets us pitch a leader with limited knowledge in a specific field against followers who are very vast and can independently respond positively to difficult tasks. The result would be obvious; a group of people who with little or no supervision achieve their goals as at when due. This consequently gives the leader the opportunity to adopt a democratic and more relaxed approach to leadership.

Having considered just two different situations, I am quick to conclude that a workable leadership style would be largely dependent on the prevailing situation and group being led.

Oghenetega Inoni : 16 Feb 2012 03:45 |  Tags: Le |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem