What Is Leadership Theory?

"There has never been and will never be one single leadership theory that completely explains why leaders succeed. There is no silver bullet and no substitute for context and experience." - Michael Hauge

It might feel like there are more books about Leadership in the book store than there are stars in the sky. Everyone has their own take on Leadership. Everyone has their own definition of Leadership. The concept isn’t something that we can agree on across cultures, countries, personalities, and even time horizons.

To me, that is exactly what makes it so fascinating. And frustrating. And puzzling. And endlessly exciting.

In this post, we’ll present a brief introduction to some of the main Leadership Theories. If you do want a deeper dive into these Leadership Theories, I can’t help but recommend ‘The Leadership Challenge,’ by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner - it’s a phenomenal introduction to Leadership and guide book that has influenced countless executives and where I first encountered the idea of Leadership Theory. Anyways, let’s dive right in!

What Is Leadership Theory and why does it matter?

Leadership Theory is the approach to Leadership that typecasts the leader as an individual with the vision and capacity to provide guidance and motivation to others towards a common goal. Leadership Theories hold that the successful leader has certain traits, behaviors, and mindsets that make them unique and effective. By understanding these traits and characteristics, we can better understand, train, and develop effective leadership.

Of course, there are a variety of Leadership Theories that enable leaders to be successful. Some of these include:

• Trait Theory.
• Behaviorist Theory.
• Interactions Theory.
• Contingency Theory.
• Task vs. Group Theory.
• Path Goal Theory.
• Normative Theory.

Let’s examine each of those one by one and then how we might apply our newfound understanding of Leadership Theory.

What is Trait Theory?

Trait Theory believes that effective leadership is determined by specific characteristics that leaders possess. These traits include intelligence, assertiveness, honesty, charisma, creativity, and emotional intelligence among others. Knowing these traits can help to identify and develop potential leaders, although some people may not possess all of the desired traits.

What might this look like in a real-world scenario?

Let’s say that the leader of a company is trying to oversee a project that requires creative problem-solving. They could use the Trait Theory to identify potential candidates who excel at creative thinking. This would include people who are particularly intelligent, assertive, and emotionally aware. This approach means that the leader can select the ideal person for the job, focusing on their traits rather than their experience or qualifications.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Trait Theory?

A key benefit of Trait Theory is that it allows leaders to quickly identify candidates who possess the most desired traits. This allows them to select the right person for the job, saving time and resources in the process. The drawback, however, is that it may fail to recognize people who possess other useful qualities, such as experience, which Trait Theory may not prioritize.

What is Behaviorist Theory?

The Behaviorist Theory of Leadership is based on the idea that leadership is not just about a leader’s traits, but about their behavior or actions as well. Leaders must act in a certain way to be effective, such as providing clear direction, setting goals, and motivating their team.

What might this look like in a real-world scenario?

Let’s say that a leader is trying to manage a group of employees. Using the Behavioral Theory, the leader must be aware of their actions and how they are influencing the team. This means setting clear expectations and boundaries, providing feedback and support, and rewarding team members for their hard work. The behaviorist approach allows the leader to create a positive environment for their team members and maximize their performance.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Behaviorist Theory?

Behaviorist Theory can be a great way for leaders to ensure that their behavior is having a positive influence on their team. By being conscious of how they act and react, leaders can create an environment that is conducive to success. However, Behavioral Theory does not take into account the team’s responses and reactions, which may limit its efficacy.

What is Interaction Theory?

Interaction Theory states that good leadership is determined by how the leader interacts with their team. Leaders must create a positive environment, give positive feedback, and provide support.

What might this look like in a real-world scenario?

Let’s say that a leader is trying to manage a large team. Using the Interaction Theory, the leader must foster positive interactions with their team. This could include providing clear instructions and expectations, offering guidance and support, and having frequent meetings with their team to ensure progress towards the goal. Interaction Theory allows the leader to create an environment where employees feel supported and valued.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Interaction Theory?

Interaction Theory is a great way to ensure that leaders are fostering positive relationships with their team. By interacting frequently and openly, leaders can create an environment that is conducive to both individual and collective success. The downside of Interaction Theory is that it may be time consuming, as multiple interactions are required for success.

What is Contingency Theory?

Contingency Theory holds that leadership depends on the specific circumstances. Effective leaders must understand their team and environment, as well as be able to adapt as circumstances change.

What might this look like in a real-world scenario?

Let’s say that a leader is trying to manage a project with a tight deadline. The Contingency Theory would dictate that the leader must first assess the environment and team to understand their strengths and limitations. From there, the leader can adjust their approach as needed, making sure that their team has the resources they need to complete the project within the deadline. This approach allows the leader to respond quickly to changes in the environment and adapt their leadership style accordingly.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Contingency Theory?

The benefit of Contingency Theory is that it allows leaders to be flexible and adjust their style depending on the situation. This can help leaders stay effective and successful in a variety of different contexts. The downside of Contingency Theory is that it may be difficult for inexperienced leaders to know when it’s best to change their approach.

What is Task vs. Group Theory?

The Task vs. Group Theory looks at leadership from two angles, either focusing on individuals within the group or tasks that need to be completed. Leaders must decide how to balance the needs of the group with individual tasks and the completion of tasks.

What might this look like in a real-world scenario?

Let’s say that a leader is trying to manage a project with a tight deadline. The Task vs. Group Theory would dictate that the leader must balance both the individual needs of their team members and the completion of the task at hand. This could include delegating tasks according to each team member’s strengths, managing expectations, and providing support and guidance throughout the project.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Task vs. Group Theory?

The benefit of Task vs. Group Theory is that it allows leaders to focus both on the task and the team members, making sure that each aspect is given the attention it deserves. The downside of this approach is that it can be time consuming and may need frequent re-evaluation.

What is Path Goal Theory?

Path Goal Theory is the idea that good leaders provide guidance and support to their team, helping them reach their goals in an effective and efficient manner. Leaders must provide the resources needed for their team to succeed and ensure that their team understands the desired outcome.

What might this look like in a real-world scenario?

Let’s say that a leader is trying to manage a team on a specific project. Using Path Goal Theory, the leader must ensure that the team understands the desired outcome and provide the resources and guidance needed to reach this goal. This could involve setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and offering support as needed. The Path Goal Theory allows the leader to ensure that their team is on the same page and working towards the same goal.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Path Goal Theory?

The benefit of Path Goal Theory is that it allows leaders to guide and support their team towards success. By providing resources and setting expectations, the leader ensures that the team is on the right track to reaching their goal. The downside of Path Goal Theory is that it may be difficult to manage when there are multiple paths to success. Additionally, this approach may not be effective in environments where team members are not all striving for the same outcome.

What is Normative Theory?

Normative Theory is the idea that effective leaders use certain social norms , such as trust and respect, to influence their behavior. Leaders must create a supportive and encouraging environment where people feel comfortable and respected and are motivated to work towards a common goal.

What might this look like in a real-world scenario?

Let’s say that a leader is trying to manage a team on a specific project. Using Normative Theory, the leader must ensure that everyone works together and that trust and respect are fostered within the team. This could involve setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and offering support as needed. The leader should also ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Normative Theory?

The benefit of Normative Theory is that it allows leaders to foster a supportive and encouraging environment. By creating an atmosphere of trust and respect, team members can better work together towards success. The downside of Normative Theory is that it may be difficult to implement in certain contexts, as social norms may differ from organization to organization. Additionally, some team members may be reluctant to work together if their norms don’t match with the leader’s.

Whew! That’s a lot of Theory for one day. It sounds (and is!) pretty overwhelming.

The first question I’d like you to think to yourself is, “After reading some of the more popular leadership theories above, what is your personal leadership theory?” or “Do any of these theories above resonate with you?”

For most people, one or more of the theories listed above will jump out to them as recognizable. For others, it’s a blend. Remember, there is no one Leadership Theory that is automatically superior to others! The point here is to recognize the benefits and drawbacks of each and begin to identify patterns in your own leadership style to see which theory is most suitable for your specific situation.

While we could probably write volumes and volumes on the topic, let’s just tackle one more key question for today:

How do we know which Leadership Theory to apply?

The answer is simple, but not easy: context and experience. Each Leadership Theory is designed for a different context, so it’s important to assess the situation before deciding which Theory to use. Your own experience is also a great asset as you can draw on it to choose the best Leadership Theory that fits the specific environment and team. In our experience, a strong leader is often flexible and is able to apply the different theories depending on the needs of the team and the situation. Like we said: simple, but not easy.