What is the Leadership Continuum? Description
According to the Leadership Continuum model of R. Tannenbaum and W.H. Schmidt
(1973) an autocratic leader will likely make his own decisions. He
will not delegate to his subordinates. Whereas a more democratic leader
(laissez-faire manager) gives subordinates a greater degree of delegation
in decision-making.
In 1938, Lewin and Lippitt proposed
classifications of leaders. These were based on how much involvement leaders
placed onto task and relationship needs. These types of leadership behavior
were expressed in 1973 along a continuum by Tannenbaum & Schmidt. The spectrum
ranges from boss-centered (task) to subordinate-centered (relationship).
Forces to consider for Leaders
To choose the most appropriate style and use of authority, the leader should
take into consideration:
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Forces in the manager: belief in team member participation and
confidence in capabilities of members. Compare:
Theory of Needs
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Forces in the subordinate person: subordinates who are independent,
tolerant of ambiguity, competent, identify with organizational goals.
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Forces in the situation:
- the team has requisite knowledge.
- the team has organizational values and traditions.
- the team works effectively.
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Time pressure: need for immediate decision under pressure. Mitigates
against participation.
Advantages of the Leadership Continuum Model. Benefits
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Gives managers a range of choices for involvement.
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Presents criteria for involvement and delegation.
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Focuses the decision maker on relevant criteria (e.g. forces & time).
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Emphasizes employee development and empowerment.
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Is heuristic. Encourages research to see how effective delegation may
be under the model.
Limitations of the Leadership Continuum. Disadvantages
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Involves only the initial step of assigning a task to someone, not the
following processes that may determine the effectiveness of the outcome.
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Assumes that the manager has sufficient information to determine the
disposition to himself or to the team.
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Assumes "neutral" environment without social bonds or politics.
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Simplifies complex decisions towards a two-polar dimension; more simple
than the reality is.
Forum discussions about the Leadership Continuum. Below you can ask a question about this topic, share your experiences, report a new development, or explain something.
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Laissez Faire versus Democratic Leaders
A Democratic leader Involves team in decision making, consults and then takes a call whereas
A Laissez Faire leader has a hands off approach let the team and the reportees take a call.
Democratic an...
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Force Field = 5 Levels of Management
The summary of the five levels of management to arrive at level 5 managers(Collins) has some similarity to the forcefield distribution of leadership....
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Republishing in int...
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Compare with Leadership Continuum:
Path-Goal Theory |
Managerial Grid
| Leadership Styles
| Level 5 Leadership
| Situational
Leadership |
Charismatic Leadership
| Servant-Leadership
| Theory X Theory Y
| Contingency Theory
| Competing
Values Framework |
EPIC ADVISERS |
Levels of Culture
| Culture Types
| Expectancy Theory
| Results-Based
Leadership |
Result Oriented Management
| Hierarchy of Needs
| Two Factor Theory
| Theory of Needs
| Bases of Social
Power |
Seven Surprises
| Seven Habits |
SMART |
PAEI |
Changing
Organization Cultures |
Framing |
Beyond Budgeting
| Stages of Team
Development
Return to Management Hub: Communication & Skills | Decision-making & Valuation | Human
Resources | Leadership
More Management Methods, Models and Theory
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