Psychology of Leadership
IOP3707
Assignment 4
IMPORTANT: THIS ASSESSMENT IS COMPULSORY
Due date: 13 May 2024
Total: 55 marks
, REMEMBER TO PARAPHRASE ASSIGNMENT.
QUESTION 1
1.1 THE CONTINGENCY APPROACH
The contingency approach is a theory meaning one thing depends on other things (Daft, 2015). The
failure to find universal leader traits or behaviors that would always determine effective leadership
led researchers in a new direction. Although leader behavior was still examined, the central focus of
the new research was the situation in which leadership occurred. The basic tenet of this focus was
that behavior effective in some circumstances might be ineffective under different conditions. Thus,
the effectiveness of leader behavior is contingent upon organizational situations. Aptly called
contingency approaches, these theories explain the relationship between leadership styles and
effectiveness in specific situations (Daft, 2015). The case study highlights Dr Puleng’s leadership at
IOP3707
Assignment 4
IMPORTANT: THIS ASSESSMENT IS COMPULSORY
Due date: 13 May 2024
Total: 55 marks
, REMEMBER TO PARAPHRASE ASSIGNMENT.
QUESTION 1
1.1 THE CONTINGENCY APPROACH
The contingency approach is a theory meaning one thing depends on other things (Daft, 2015). The
failure to find universal leader traits or behaviors that would always determine effective leadership
led researchers in a new direction. Although leader behavior was still examined, the central focus of
the new research was the situation in which leadership occurred. The basic tenet of this focus was
that behavior effective in some circumstances might be ineffective under different conditions. Thus,
the effectiveness of leader behavior is contingent upon organizational situations. Aptly called
contingency approaches, these theories explain the relationship between leadership styles and
effectiveness in specific situations (Daft, 2015). The case study highlights Dr Puleng’s leadership at
