Behavior Approach
Organizational Leadership
LDR/531
Behavior Approach Leadership
February 25, 2013
Timothy De Long
Over the years, there have been many studies developed to evaluate and study leadership. The concept is to understand the nature of leadership in the workplace. Researcher’s examined the traits, influences and behaviors of effective leaders since the early 1900’s. "All leaders have the capacity to create a compelling vision, one that takes people to a new place, and the ability to translate that vision into reality" (Bennis, 1990, p. 46). This paper will focus on the behavior approach study identifying what was examined as well as discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the study.
Behavior Approach
The earliest study identified in the 1930’s is known as the trait approach. The trait approach “emphasizes attributes of leaders such as personality, motives, values, and skills.” (Yukl, 2010) Between the 1930’s and 1940’s researcher’s became frustrated with the trait approach because it didn’t identify the success of a leader. Due to this frustration, the behavior approach was created in the 1950’s. The behavior approach focuses on the behaviors around the leader’s behavior on tasks for their position and the behavior around being people oriented or relationships. How does the leader handle the demands, constraints, and role conflicts of the position? How does the leader communicate or motivate others?
The two most famous behavior approach studies were conducted at Ohio State University and the University of Michigan. Ohio State University distributed a questionnaire known as the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ). The LBDQ was distributed to selective individuals in the military, manufacturing companies, college administrators, and student leaders. The idea was to establish commonality among the leaders. Two characteristics of leadership were established. “Two factors, termed consideration and
LDR/531
Behavior Approach Leadership
February 25, 2013
Timothy De Long
Over the years, there have been many studies developed to evaluate and study leadership. The concept is to understand the nature of leadership in the workplace. Researcher’s examined the traits, influences and behaviors of effective leaders since the early 1900’s. "All leaders have the capacity to create a compelling vision, one that takes people to a new place, and the ability to translate that vision into reality" (Bennis, 1990, p. 46). This paper will focus on the behavior approach study identifying what was examined as well as discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the study.
Behavior Approach
The earliest study identified in the 1930’s is known as the trait approach. The trait approach “emphasizes attributes of leaders such as personality, motives, values, and skills.” (Yukl, 2010) Between the 1930’s and 1940’s researcher’s became frustrated with the trait approach because it didn’t identify the success of a leader. Due to this frustration, the behavior approach was created in the 1950’s. The behavior approach focuses on the behaviors around the leader’s behavior on tasks for their position and the behavior around being people oriented or relationships. How does the leader handle the demands, constraints, and role conflicts of the position? How does the leader communicate or motivate others?
The two most famous behavior approach studies were conducted at Ohio State University and the University of Michigan. Ohio State University distributed a questionnaire known as the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ). The LBDQ was distributed to selective individuals in the military, manufacturing companies, college administrators, and student leaders. The idea was to establish commonality among the leaders. Two characteristics of leadership were established. “Two factors, termed consideration and
References: Bennis, W. (1990). Managing the dream: Leadership in the 21st century. Training: The Magazine of Human Resource Development, 27(5), 44-46. Yukl, Gary. (2010). Leadership in Organizations, Seventh Edition. Chapter 1: Introduction: The Nature of Leadership Helms, Marilyn. (2006). Encyclopedia of Management, 5th ed. Leadership Theories and Summary. Abolrous. Retrieved from www.abolrous.com