‘Leader’ is a popularly used term that we are quite familiar with. In simple terms, a leader is an individual that guides and takes control over others. However, the term is quite complex in different contexts. For instance, when you define a leader in the field of management, it is an individual who possesses certain qualities of managing and guiding a group of people for accomplishing a specific objective. A leader can train these individuals and help them reach one step closer to their objectives and goals. There is a myriad of organizing and guiding elements in the forms of distinguishing leadership theories and models. Let’s discover everything you need to know about the contingency approach to leadership.
An Overview on Contingency Theory of Leadership
The contingency theory of leadership is a distinctive and impressive approach to defining the success of a leader. It suggests that every leader doesn’t necessarily need to be dependent on his capabilities to succeed entirely. There is a wide range of aspects concerning the company culture, work environment, and even employees that maximally influence a manager’s potential to succeed while leading a group of people. Contingency theories thus define an individual’s ability to succeed in his role. This model was introduced by Fiedler. Thus, the name originated as ‘Fiedler Contingency Model of Leadership’.
Contingency Model Of Leadership- Looking back at the History
The contingency approach to leadership was first introduced in 1958 by Fred Fielder. He believes that success isn’t directly interlinked with an individual’s abilities. It is correlated with two essential factors- a manager’s skill sets and the control of a circumstance. He thus suggested that the skills and capabilities of a manager are always constant while the situation keeps altering. Therefore, the potential is contingent on the manager’s skills linking the situation and not adapting to it. A leader will thus boost his potential and work much more efficiently if his skills and abilities match the situation and work environment.
Characteristics of Contingency Theory
Let’s discover some prime characteristics of contingency theory to learn more about the contingency model of leadership.
Leadership takes into account the existence of a team of followers as it is the very necessity for the working of a leader. Leadership cannot be practised without this set of followers.
The form of leadership differs from the end objective and the situations of the work environment.
Leadership is defined as the mere ability that can be enhanced with expertise and experience.
Leadership impacts the beliefs, behaviour, and even the nature of the employees.
Leadership is encountered when trying to accomplish the same goal with several subordinates or a group of people that help through the process.
Qualities that Shape a Leader
Every leader should possess certain skills to excel in the contingency theory of leadership. Now that you’ve understood what is contingency theory of leadership, here are some qualities that can help you become a successful leader.
Uprightness and Honor
A leader should be honest and possess integrity for his followers to respect and follow him. Subordinates will not follow you if you aren’t honest with them. Leaders should carry pride in following their core beliefs. You must thus undergo a moral path while working and leading their employees.
Physical Endurance
Additionally, leaders should also possess enough stamina. Along with the ability to be honest with your employees, you should also have the stamina to work. The leader should also be physically stable and fit. He should have the physical endurance to deal with things in the workplace. This accounts as an essential quality for boosting the performance of you and your employees.
Brainpower
Expertise and experience are two prime factors that a leader should possess. He should understand the core objectives of your company’s project and should have the intelligence to take further measures on it. Knowledge and intelligence can thus help improve the expertise of your employees as well as become more efficient.
Empathy
A leader should be empathetic towards his subordinates. He should ensure establishing a healthy and empathetic relationship with his subordinates. Your subordinates will thus be courageous and even dedicated to following you.
Confidence
A very vital quality that every leader must possess is confidence. A leader should have the ability to gain the respect of his employees. He should be able to accomplish trust, among others. The leader should possess essential skills of confidence and efficiency so that they can showcase to their employees why they are the ideal leaders.
Communication Skills
A leader should essentially have the ability to engage with his subordinates. He should be able to communicate with his subordinates and help them understand what their project model is. He should have the ability to share the techniques and strategies that will help your team come one step closer to accomplishing their end objective.
FAQs on Leadership: Contingency Approach Explained
1. What is the contingency approach to leadership as explained in the NCERT syllabus?
The contingency approach to leadership is a management theory which states that there is no single best way to lead. The most effective leadership style is contingent upon, or dependent on, the specific situation at hand. It suggests that a leader's effectiveness is directly related to how well their leadership style matches the demands of the followers and the environment.
2. What is the main principle of the contingency theory of leadership?
The core principle is that leadership effectiveness is the result of a successful match between the leader's style and the situational variables. A style that works wonders in one scenario might fail completely in another. Therefore, leaders must be able to diagnose the situation and adapt, or be placed in a situation that suits their inherent style.
3. Can you provide some real-world examples of the contingency approach?
Certainly. Consider these examples:
- Emergency Response: A fire chief leading a team during a building fire will use a highly directive, autocratic style because the situation is urgent, tasks are clear, and there's no time for group discussion.
- Tech Startup: A CEO of a creative tech startup will likely use a more democratic and participative style to encourage innovation, as the tasks are complex and require input from skilled employees.
- Manufacturing Plant: A factory floor manager might use a task-oriented style, focusing on procedures and efficiency, as the work is highly structured.
4. What are the major contingency theories of leadership mentioned in management studies?
Several important contingency theories have been developed to explain the interaction between leadership styles and situations. The most prominent ones include:
- Fiedler's Contingency Model: Focuses on matching a leader's fixed style (task-oriented or relationship-oriented) to the situation.
- Hersey-Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory: Links leadership style to the maturity or readiness of the followers.
- Path-Goal Theory: Suggests that a leader's job is to assist followers in attaining their goals and to provide the necessary direction and support.
- Vroom-Yetton-Jago Decision Model: Provides a framework for leaders to decide how much participation to allow from subordinates in making a decision.
5. How does Fiedler's Contingency Model work?
Fiedler's Model proposes that a leader's effectiveness depends on a combination of their natural leadership style and the 'situational favourableness'. It identifies a leader's style as either task-motivated or relationship-motivated using the Least Preferred Co-worker (LPC) scale. The situation is assessed based on three factors: leader-member relations, task structure, and the leader's position power. The model then matches the leader's style to the most suitable situation.
6. What is the key difference between the Contingency Theory and the Situational Leadership Theory?
This is a common point of confusion. The main difference lies in the flexibility of the leader. Fiedler's Contingency Theory assumes a leader's style is relatively fixed and unchangeable, so the key is to place the right leader in the right situation. In contrast, Hersey-Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory assumes that a leader can and should change their style (from telling to selling to participating to delegating) to match the development level of their followers.
7. Why is it important for a manager to understand the contingency approach?
Understanding the contingency approach is crucial because it moves a manager away from a rigid, 'one-size-fits-all' mindset. It encourages them to be more analytical and diagnostic, assessing the unique variables of each task, team, and organizational context. This leads to more flexible, adaptive, and ultimately more effective leadership, improving team performance, morale, and goal achievement in diverse and dynamic business environments.
8. What key situational factors must a leader analyse according to the contingency approach?
According to various contingency models, a leader must analyse several key situational factors before choosing a leadership style. These include:
- Leader-Member Relations: The degree of trust, confidence, and respect followers have for their leader.
- Task Structure: Whether the task is structured and clear or unstructured and ambiguous.
- Position Power: The amount of formal authority the leader has, such as the power to hire, fire, or reward.
- Follower Readiness: The skills, willingness, and confidence of the team members to perform a specific task.
