The six major leadership theories
There are six major leadership theories, developed in the late 20th century, that continue to be applied in organizations. Some theories focus on the followers, some on the situation, and others on execution.
Consider the six leadership theories we learned about this week:
Path-goal.
Leader-member exchange.
Transformational leadership.
Servant leadership.
Adaptive leadership.
Team leadership.
Identify an experience that you had in the workplace where a leader exhibited one of these theories.
Give three specific example that show how the leader was exemplifying the selected theory.
Sample Answer
Leader-Member Exchange in Action: Building Trust and Growth
During my internship at a design agency, I witnessed a manager, Sarah, exemplify the principles of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory. This theory posits that leaders develop unique relationships with each follower, impacting their motivation, performance, and satisfaction. Witnessing Sarah’s interactions with two of us interns demonstrated this theory in action:
Building Trust and Mutual Respect:
- Individualized attention: Sarah regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings with each intern, not just for project updates but also to inquire about our personal and professional well-being. This created a safe space for open communication and fostered trust.
- Delegation with responsibility: Recognizing individual strengths and interests, Sarah assigned projects that challenged us appropriately. She delegated tasks with clear expectations and autonomy, entrusting us with ownership and increasing our sense of responsibility and value.