Explain the path goal theory of leadership. 6 elements of Path 2022-10-15
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The path goal theory of leadership is a theory developed by Robert House in the 1970s. It suggests that the role of a leader is to help their followers achieve their goals and to provide them with the necessary support and guidance to do so. According to this theory, a leader's style should be matched to the needs and abilities of their followers in order to increase motivation and performance.
There are four main leadership styles that can be used in the path goal theory: directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented. The directive style is used when followers are unsure of what needs to be done or how to do it. In this case, the leader provides clear instructions and sets clear expectations for their followers. The supportive style is used when followers are low in confidence or are facing a stressful situation. In this case, the leader provides emotional support and a sense of belonging to help their followers cope with the situation.
The participative style is used when followers have the necessary skills and knowledge to complete the task but need guidance on how to proceed. In this case, the leader involves their followers in decision-making and encourages them to take an active role in problem-solving. The achievement-oriented style is used when followers are highly skilled and motivated and need a challenge to keep them engaged. In this case, the leader sets high expectations and provides feedback to help their followers achieve their goals.
One key aspect of the path goal theory is that it recognizes that different situations may require different leadership styles. A leader should be flexible and adapt their style to meet the needs of their followers in a given situation. For example, a leader who uses a directive style with a group of inexperienced followers may find that their followers become demotivated and resentful. On the other hand, a leader who uses a supportive style with a group of highly skilled and motivated followers may find that their followers become complacent and underperform.
In conclusion, the path goal theory of leadership is a useful framework for understanding the role of a leader in helping their followers achieve their goals. It suggests that a leader's style should be matched to the needs and abilities of their followers in order to increase motivation and performance. By being flexible and adapting their style to different situations, a leader can effectively support their followers and help them achieve their goals.
Path Goal Theory of Leadership: Application in corporate training
The leader will deploy this leadership style particularly when employees are highly involved and have specialist knowledge. Supportive leadership is necessary for these players. The team is given the opportunity to participate in play strategies. Directive This leadership style identifies clear objectives for the present and the future. High standards are demonstrated and expected.
He or she treats her or his employees with respect and supports them when necessary. Achievement-oriented With this type of leadership style, the leader focuses on encouraging excellence by setting challenging goals. What is path-goal theory? In the Path Goal theory of leadership, leaders are available and easily approachable for individuals that follow them. Worker Control Over The Job If employees can take more control or ownership in the job and work on their own, less leadership is needed. It does not refer to other functions of leaders, such as supporting the subordinate by showing concern for his welfare or encouraging the subordinate the perform better by showing confidence in his abilities. A quarterback gives directives by assigning specific plays to the team and to individuals. Similar to the situational approach, which I have previously given an House and Mitchell 1974 posit that leaders generate follower motivation by increasing both the type and number of rewards the followers can attain in the workplace as cited in Northouse, 2016.
In other words, directive leadership tells followers what is needed of them, how they should perform their duties, and the deadline for completing their tasks PSU WC, 2016, L. Related: Participative Leadership Style: Pros and Cons Supportive strategies With this leadership style, leaders show genuine concern about the needs of their employees and want to do all they can to help the employees reach their goals. Each contributes to a different function of the team. This typically results in the employee exerting greater effort to achieve the goals they selected. Path-Goal Leadership Styles There are several different directions a running back can take to get from the 50-yard line to the end zone. This is to say that there is a notable difference between a leader and an effective leader.
Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 5, 277-298 House, R. Larger training objectives can be divided into manageable steps with checkpoints along the way. My manager felt that the commission incentive was important because it motivated workers to work harder so that they could earn more. Directive leadership involves giving specific advice or directives, clarifying expectations and assigning tasks to individuals or a group. Running backs are especially prone to injuries. How to cite this article: Mulder, P. The theory suggests that for a leader to do well, one must be able to identify to the employees how to achieve certain goals.
Path Goal Theory of Leadership: Explained with Examples
I stand behind this still for the reason that all people face naysayers in their lives and general resistance. These are all factors that leaders must take into account when determining how to motivate their followers to achieve a desired goal. Encourage a support network Having a supportive training and leadership style ensures that interactions remain learner-centered. Sources: Vandegrift, Rebecca, and Jonathan Matusitz. They will be highly motivated that will transform their energies into high productivity leading to high rewards. Take a look at the table below for a summary of the how the path-goal theory works.
This sets the groundwork for a productive work environment, and transparency between individuals and goal achievement. When you talk about how your manager used commission to motivate employees it was a clear demonstration of achievement-oriented leadership. To do this effectively, a leader must adopt a leadership style that fits the situation. Depending on the circumstance, he may run directly to the end zone, serpentine from one sideline to the other or charge into a group of opposing players. A leader is likely to come across a wide range of personality types and may have a wide range of relationships with their subordinates.
Having a Zen workplace instantly alleviates stress, resulting in employees becoming more productive and being provided with more effective and successful leaders. Effective leaders, according to this theory, give their employees a clear path to follow to achieve goals, removing challenges and obstacles. For example, when the employee is working under a lot of stress, supportive behavior may help them give better performance. These characteristics determine whether followers find their leaders as satisfying or as way to reach future satisfaction Northouse, 2016. Lessons from Path Goal Theory As mentioned, leading people is not simple.
Thus, in short, whatever the circumstance, the path goal theory provides for a way for a leader to be efficient and motivate the subordinates to give their best. Used primarily when the job is uninteresting or work is stressful. Hersey-Blanchard situational leadership theory also gives four leadership behaviors, however, these behaviors are limited to various ways that leaders can employ to communicate with the subordinates and make decisions. What are the Leadership Styles of the Path-Goal Theory? Frank, the director of marketing for a career development firm is not hitting his lead-generation targets. Even if the timeframe is short, be sure to say that this is an achievable goal.
