born, not made” -Assumes that a leader must have certain innate abilities, personality traits or other cha. to be a leader that some people are naturally better leaders than others • -approach lead to efforts to identify people who have cha. of a leader rather than to the development of leaders which happened to be at the right time and it was the events of their time that made them great •Behavioral theories
Also called as “functional theories of
leadership -concerned with what the leader does rather than who the leader is –”more on action oriented” Lewin, Lippitt and White (Authoritarian, Democratic and Laissez-Faire Styles)
- Researchers believe that
interactions between leaders and group members indicates that the behavior of the leader could substantially influence the climate and outcomes of the group THREE DISTINCT PATTERNS OF LEADERSHIP STYLES 1. AUTHORITARIAN LEADER- -maintain strong control over the people in the group -control maybe dictatorial
-suitable in crisis situations
when clear directions are highest priority 2. DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP (Participative) -Based on the following principles: a. Every group member should participate in decision making. b. Freedom of belief and action is allowed within reasonable bounds that are set by society and by the group. c. Each individual is responsible for himself or herself and for the welfare of the group. d. There should be concern and consideration for each group member as a unique individual.
characteristic of democratic leadership:
a. participative and less controlling b. stimulates and guides the group towards fulfillment of goals c. CATALYST “says “we” rather than I / you d. criticism is constructive e. control is shared with group members- participates to the best of their abilities and experience 3. LAISSEZ-FAIRE LEADERSHIP (permissive) -also called as “Permissive or nondirective leadership” -leadership which is generally inactive, passive and non-directive
-leaves virtually all of the control and
decision making to the group
-little or no direction, guidance or
encouragement Cha. of Laissez-faire leadership a. members acts independently of each other – little coordination or cooperation
b. goals are unclear and
procedures are often confusing and lacking Critical Thinking activities:
Make observations in a clinical setting,
or reflect on past experiences
Answer the following questions:
1. How would you describe your leadership? 2. What are some leadership styles you have observed? 3. Did they seem appropriate for the