Classical Theories of Leadership

Some psychology experts believe that leaders areexample, a leader may emerge in a crisis but act
born, while others believe leadership is a skill thatdifferently as a leader in a day-to-day situation.
someone can learn. The study of the area ofContingency theories state that the behaviors and
leadership concludes that there are four basic andtraits of leaders change depending on the situation.
classical theories of leadership. The theories cover theTransformation Theories
traits and characteristics of leaders and how leadersTransformational theories compare how leaders react
should behave.in a transactional situation as opposed to a
Trait Theoriestransformational situation. A transaction leader acts in a
Trait theories cover the characteristics that greatcertain way as a tradeoff for a benefit-he acts in a
leaders possess. This theory was founded andsmall picture view rather than a big picture one. For
researched by researchers such as Stogdill in 1948example, a transactional leader may identify the
and Mann in 1959. Early research states that leadersbenefits of a business reaching a certain goal. The
have traits such as assertiveness, the ability toleader then provides employee praise in exchange for
motivate others and intelligence, which makes themthe employee performing tasks to achieve the
innate and great leaders. While early research effortsintended outcome. A transformational leader on the
focused on the traits and characteristics of leaders,other hand acts from a big picture viewpoint. A
other researchers found that there wasn't anytransformation leader understands how all of the
correlation between the traits and characteristics ofactions of the followers or employees help the
leaders that were different from followers.business achieve a common goal. Not only does a
Behavior Theoriestransformational leader understand the goal from a big
By the 1960s, researchers started focusing theirpicture view, but the leader also educates the
research efforts on the behaviors of leaders. By 1968,followers or employees on the big picture benefits that
the research led to the creation of the Blake andeach small task accomplishes and motivates the
Mouton's Managerial Grid. The grid groups work stylesfollowers in this way.
together to create four main working styles: "ConcernCharisma
for Tasks, Concerns for People, Directive LeadershipOther theorists say that with the right personality-a
and Participative Leadership." These categoriescharismatic one-a leader can motivate followers to do
describe how leaders work and interact with followersjust about anything. People tend to have a human
to lead the followers to completing the tasks at hand.nature of wanting to help, work with or follow the
Contingency Theoriesorders of people they like. Proof of this theory may
Contingency theories focus on how leaders operateplay our best in cult and political leaders who can
depending on which situation they find themselves. Formotivate their followers to act as the leaders say.