Week 7 workshop
Activity: Questions for reflection
1. What is the difference between trait and behavioural theories? Are the theories valid?
2. How does Fiedler’s contingency theory assist you in influencing the performance of a
work group?
3. What are the implications of LMX theory for leadership practice?
4. How do transactional leadership and transformational leadership compare and
contrast?
Topic summary
Take a moment to reflect on what you've achieved for this Topic. You may want to create a
mindmap or visual representation of the key concepts, ideas and learning for the Topic which
summarises your notes from reading, participation in the workshops etc.
You should now understand that:
Leadership is central to understanding group behaviour, therefore, a more accurate
predictive capability should be valuable in improving group performance.
Extraversion, conscientiousness and openness to experience show strong and
consistent relationships to leadership.
The behavioural approaches main contribution was narrowing leadership into task and
people oriented styles.
A major breakthrough in understanding leadership came with the situational factors
inclusion. Evidence suggests that the task structure, level of stress, group support,
leader intelligence and experience and follower characteristics such as personality,
experience, ability and motivation are important.
Organisations are increasingly seeking transformational leaders. They want leaders
with vision and charisma, attribute leadership to people who are smart, personable,
and verbally adept.
Effective managers must develop trusting relationships as organisations have become
less stable and predictable, strong bonds of trust are likely to be replace bureaucratic
rules in defining expectations and relationships.
Activity: Questions for reflection
1. What is the difference between trait and behavioural theories? Are the theories valid?
2. How does Fiedler’s contingency theory assist you in influencing the performance of a
work group?
3. What are the implications of LMX theory for leadership practice?
4. How do transactional leadership and transformational leadership compare and
contrast?
Topic summary
Take a moment to reflect on what you've achieved for this Topic. You may want to create a
mindmap or visual representation of the key concepts, ideas and learning for the Topic which
summarises your notes from reading, participation in the workshops etc.
You should now understand that:
Leadership is central to understanding group behaviour, therefore, a more accurate
predictive capability should be valuable in improving group performance.
Extraversion, conscientiousness and openness to experience show strong and
consistent relationships to leadership.
The behavioural approaches main contribution was narrowing leadership into task and
people oriented styles.
A major breakthrough in understanding leadership came with the situational factors
inclusion. Evidence suggests that the task structure, level of stress, group support,
leader intelligence and experience and follower characteristics such as personality,
experience, ability and motivation are important.
Organisations are increasingly seeking transformational leaders. They want leaders
with vision and charisma, attribute leadership to people who are smart, personable,
and verbally adept.
Effective managers must develop trusting relationships as organisations have become
less stable and predictable, strong bonds of trust are likely to be replace bureaucratic
rules in defining expectations and relationships.
